Abstract: A control circuit is disclosed suitable for use with a toaster or other food browning device which utilizes a radiant energy source to brown food. A light sensitive variable resistor, or photocell, is optically coupled to light reflected from the food being browned in the device. A voltage generated by a voltage divider including the light sensitive resistor therein is compared with a preselectable voltage generated by a second voltage divider to determine whether the heat source should be turned on or off. Suitable solid state control circuitry is provided to ensure that a start-up delay is provided at the beginning of each browning cycle and to reset the circuit for future operation when the desired browning of the food is achieved.