A slicing machine includes a machine frame having a food loaf delivery path arranged in a longitudinal direction, and a cutting assembly arranged in the delivery path. The cutting assembly has two longitudinally directed reciprocating blades facing upstream in the delivery path. In operation, the loaf is pressed through the cutting assembly which cuts the loaf into quarter sections. A slicing blade is arranged in the delivery path downstream of the cutting assembly, the slicing blade arranged to slice the sectioned food loaf transversely to the longitudinal direction.