I wonder how the Jewish delicatessen counterman felt back when the deli's owner brought in the first automated Berkel slicing machine. With its whirring circular blade, mechanized springs, and feeder ...

But when you hand cut, Johnny told me, you can steam the brisket or navel until it’s falling apart, and still keep the slices intact. Delis that cut by machine steam their meat for less time, then ...

“It’s all about the control and feel,” chef and restauranteur Mario Batali tells me. “Since the machine is manually operated, the speed is completely up to me. Once I find the right momentum and get ...