A cooking device that is capable of rapidly cooking food products such as
in toasting bread products or cooking pizza. The cooking device uses air
impingement from above and/or below the food product. In some cases an
infrared heater is additionally used to impart a desired color and
crunchiness about a surface of the food product. In some cases, a boost
in thermal energy is applied to the bottom of the food product vis-a-vis
the top thereof. In some cases, the boost is due to an extra heater,
which may be gas or electric. The device is particularly adapted for
toasting bread products, cooking sandwich products (toasting the bread
and heating the sandwich filler) and/or cooking pizza. Rapid cooking
times are achieved by delivering more thermal energy to the top or bottom
of the food product, depending on the type thereof, to give quality and
speed. For example, a pizza can be cooked to have a crisp bottom without
burning a cheese topping.