Cooking with light is one of the latest applications of infrared lamps , according to General Electric heat lamp specialists . Here a combination display and serving table in a buffet style restaurant is effectively serviced by both heat and light by a bank of 14 250 watt heat lamps . Meat , sandwiches , soup and chowder are displayed and served from this table . The natural colours or rare raost beef , juicy hams , and tender chickens are brought out by the light , while the food is kept piping hot by the infrared radiation