A food manufacturing apparatus 2, particularly for making tortillas, comprises a conveyor mechanism 8 for carrying food articles, such as dough, along a first direction, and a press system 12 having at least a first platen 14 to press the dough with respect to a support 16 to shape the food article. A drive mechanism provides the system 12 with reciprocating linear motion so that it can press the dough while moving in the same direction and at the same speed as the conveyor belt 8. The process is repeated for the next batch of food articles on the conveyor. The drive mechanism uses a linear electric motor 18 which allows precise and smooth motion of the press 12 and is cleaner than hydraulic or rack and pinion systems. Servomotors 26 may control the vertical movement of the upper platen 14 to control the thickness profile of the tortilla.
