A fresh approach: studies have shown that the typical consumer patronizes fast-food restaurants just as often as full-service establishments. For that consumer, the choice is easy: when pressed for time, fast food is more convenient. Would that decision become more difficult if fine-dining chefs sped things up? Ac asked three chefs to give us their quickest dishes.

TASTE OF HASTE

In reality, chefs cooking from scratch will probably never be able to prepare a meal as quickly as a fast-food kitchen can. But if the current projections are correct, it may be worthwhile to economize on prepping and cooking times. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. population will increase by 50 million people in the next 12 years, with a resulting 26% rise in food expenditure. That's a lot more customers to serve.

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The USDA also predicts that In as little as two years, more than half of Americans' total food spending will go toward meals prepared outside the home. As lifestyles grow ever busier, potential customers consider convenience to be as important as food quality when choosing a restaurant. The restaurant that can swiftly serve freshly prepared, high-quality meals is likely to appeal to the greatest number of people. And then, of course, there's the bottom line: faster meals mean more covers by the end of the night.