A food spiral cutting machine includes a base, a drive unit, a screw, a cutter assembly and a locking device. The drive unit comprises a motor, a gearbox and an open drive nut. The gearbox comprises a planetary gear reduction group and a pair of bevel gears. A first bevel gear connects to the output of the planetary gear set, and the first bevel gear drives a second bevel gear which is provided with a spline inside the gear center hole. The first bevel gear meshes with the second bevel gear at right angle. An open drive nut rests on the underside of the screw. A screw is provided with a slot along the screw axis. The spline of the second bevel gear keys with the slot of the screw.