The invention disclosed herein facilitates consistent slicing into equal halves or other special thicknesses of bagels and other bread products, while simultaneously protecting both hands from harm. The present invention is also fully adjustable to accommodate various size bread products. To achieve these functionalities, adjustable guides are provided that extend above the bread product to be cut to guide the knife from initial cut all the way to the end of the cut. Further, the present invention easily disassembles for cleaning.

A cutting system includes a chamber for receiving and positioning a biscuit or bread for consistent and uniform cutting. The system gently holds the biscuit in position as a blade cuts the biscuit along a knife guide in the system to produce optimal biscuit portions having strength and stability to hold food stuffs therebetween while being held and eaten by a consumer.

A combination bagel slicer and spreader includes a generally cylindrical upper portion extending along a central axis, an elongate blade extending outwardly from the upper portion and extending along a plane generally parallel to the central axis, and a lower generally cylindrical portion extending below the blade and along the central axis.

A food cutting guide comprising a base having first and second planar surfaces, a peripheral edge, at least one centering guide, and a plurality of self-centering cutting grooves formed in a planar surface that intersect to subdivide the surface into a grid of equally spaced segments to center and guide the movement of a cutting utensil in cutting the food, wherein at least one centering guide is disposed inwardly from said peripheral edge, and facilitates the placement of the food in the center; wherein the cutting grooves have terminal ends and middle portions that transition to flared openings at the terminal ends and a uniform width and depth in the middle portion between the flared openings, and has a V-shaped cross section; wherein each of said cutting grooves transition to its deepest and widest points at said peripheral edge; and maintain a consistent ratio of depth to width along the entire length of said cutting groove.

A food cutting guide comprising a base having first and second planar surfaces, a peripheral edge, at least one centering guide, and a plurality of self-centering cutting grooves formed in a planar surface that intersect to subdivide the surface into a grid of equally spaced segments to center and guide the movement of a cutting utensil in cutting the food, wherein at least one centering guide is disposed inwardly from said peripheral edge, and facilitates the placement of the food in the center; wherein the cutting grooves have terminal ends and middle portions that transition to flared openings at the terminal ends and a uniform width and depth in the middle portion between the flared openings, and has a V-shaped cross section; wherein each of said cutting grooves transition to its deepest and widest points at said peripheral edge; and maintain a consistent ratio of depth to width along the entire length of said cutting groove.

A pizza cutting guide comprising a base having first and second planar surfaces, a peripheral edge, at least one circular centering guide, and a plurality of self-centering cutting grooves formed a planar surface that intersect to subdivide the surface into a plurality of equally spaced pie-shaped segments to center and guide the movement of a cutting utensil in cutting the pizza, wherein at least one centering guide is disposed inwardly from said peripheral edge, and facilitates the placement of the pizza in the center; wherein the cutting grooves radiate from a center point and have terminal ends and middle portions, wherein the middle portions transition to flared openings at the terminal ends and a uniform width and depth in the middle portion between the flared opening and the center point, and has a V-shaped cross section; wherein each of said cutting grooves transition to its deepest and widest points at said peripheral edge; and maintain a consistent ratio of depth to width along the entire length of said cutting groove.

A cutting apparatus for cutting an item supported by a surface, comprising a knife (1) comprising a blade (2), a blade support means (3), and an alignment guide (4), having an arm (7) pivotally attached to the knife and a surface contacting means (8) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the knife and adapted to contact the surface in front of the blade, in the cutting direction so that, in use, the alignment guide can move with the blade, as the blade cuts into an item whereby if the knife tilts or tends to tilt, this is resisted by virtue of the alignment guide or, if the resistance is overcome, is reduced by raising of one or other lateral edges of the surface contacting means.

A pizza cutting guide comprising a base having first and second planar surfaces, a peripheral edge, at least one circular centering guide, and a plurality of self-centering cutting grooves formed a planar surface that intersect to subdivide the surface into a plurality of equally spaced pie-shaped segments to center and guide the movement of a cutting utensil in cutting the pizza, wherein at least one centering guide is disposed inwardly from said peripheral edge, and facilitates the placement of the pizza in the center; wherein the cutting grooves radiate from a center point and have terminal ends and middle portions, wherein the middle portions transition to flared openings at the terminal ends and a uniform width and depth in the middle portion between the flared opening and the center point, and has a V-shaped cross section; wherein each of said cutting grooves transition to its deepest and widest points at said peripheral edge; and maintain a consistent ratio of depth to width along the entire length of said cutting groove.

A cutting apparatus for cutting an item supported by a surface, comprising a knife (1) comprising a blade (2), a blade support means (3), and an alignment guide (4), having an arm (7) pivotally attached to the knife and a surface contacting means (8) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the knife and adapted to contact the surface in front of the blade, in the cutting direction so that, in use, the alignment guide can move with the blade, as the blade cuts into an item whereby if the knife tilts or tends to tilt, this is resisted by virtue of the alignment guide or, if the resistance is overcome, is reduced by raising of one or other lateral edges of the surface contacting means.

A manual method and apparatus for guiding a knife blade along a linear plane to produce a linear planar surface at a variably adjustable distance from a contact point.