Also, the wide-mouth feed tube gobbles up whole fruits and vegetables, which means less prep work. The powerful direct-drive induction motor base has touchpad controls with indicator lights and a special alternate speed for bread kneading. This model comes with all the basic accessories, including slicing and shredding discs, a chopping/mixing S-shaped blade, and the fabulous PowerPrep metal dough blade (all are stainless steel), plus a plastic spatula, recipe and instruction books, and a 45-minute how-to video--complete with pizza dough secrets from the Culinary Institute's chef-instructor Bill Briwa. The 2-1/2-foot cord can be wrapped underneath, and all detachable parts are dishwasher-safe. --Erin Brown
Editor's Choice: With its powerful motor and large capacity, Cuisinart's 14-cup food processor is our choice for the best food processor over $300. This food processor, suitable for catering and restaurant use and for the home chef of a large family, features a direct-drive induction motor, 14-cup plastic bowl, and comes with slicing and shredding discs, a chopping/mixing S-shaped blade, and a metal dough blade (all blades are stainless steel). This is a fairly heavy and sturdy machine--the base measures 9 inches wide by 11 inches deep--but its streamlined design is classy enough that it looks nice on the counter. Its wide-mouth feed tube allows for quick loading, and the touchpad controls are not only easy to use, but also easy to clean. The controls also include a special alternate speed for bread kneading.