1. In a cooking control system comprising an alphanumeric display, a keyboard having a plurality of data entry pads, and a programmed control system connected to said data entry pads and alphanumeric display for producing a timed control output for the operation of a microwave oven: the improvement wherein said data entry pads include a plurality of food entry pads each corresponding to a separate food type, said control means comprising means responsive to operation of said food entry pads for controlling said alphanumeric display to continually sequentially display the names of a plurality of different food items of the food type corresponding to the operated food entry pad, and to control the cessation of said sequential display in response to a further determined signal from said keyboard, said control means controlling the duration of said timed control output as a function of the food item displayed on said alphanumeric display at the time of said further determined signal.