Heat lamps are an important component to any foodservice operation. The intent is to keep food holding at the appropriate temperature (too cold and your food slips into the danger zone, making it a breeding ground for bacteria). You'll commonly see heat lamps at the pass, where food sits just as its handed off from kitchen to servers. Just keep in mind that food shouldn't sit under the heat lamp for extended periods—those jokes about food dying under the lamps aren't just about the laughs...
