Abstract: A cutter, such as a wire cutting element is moved in a D-shaped path which includes a substantially straight downward path to cut a slice off of the end of an advancing log of dough, such as cookie dough. The cutter returns with a curvilinear motion including a horizontally forward motion beginning at the bottom of the downward motion to disengage the cutter from the advancing log and to move the cutter sufficiently forward to ensure that the cutter does not engage the advancing end of the log during upward movement. At the end of the upward movement the cutter returns with rearward horizontal movement to the path of downward movement. The severed slice is discharged with the aid of air jets from the end of a conveyor where it drops onto a second conveyor for advancement to subsequent processing stations such as an oven.