A mandoline slicer, comprising: a frame having a pair of opposing frame sidewalls (130a, 130b) extending from a proximal end of the slicer to a distal end of the slicer; a main blade spanning between the pair of opposing frame sidewalls (130a, 130b); a platen forming a slicing ramp at the proximal portion of the slicer and carried by the frame between the pair of opposing frame sidewalls (130a, 130b), the platen having a proximal end and a distal end, the platen being positioned to define a gap between the main blade and the distal end of the platen, the platen being moveable with respect to a position of the main blade to define a slicing thickness for a food item traveling from the proximal end of the slicer toward the distal end of the slicer, the platen further having a first plurality of julienne blade slots extending along the distal end of the platen; a runout plate positioned at the distal end of the slicer; a julienne selector attached to the frame for movement along a longitudinal path defined between the distal end of the slicer and the proximal end of the slicer, the julienne selector including a first groove defining a first ramp; the mandolin slicer being characterized in that it further comprises: a first plurality of julienne blades carried on a first julienne blade frame, the first julienne blade frame being mounted to the julienne selector for movement along the first ramp, the first julienne blade frame further being constrained against longitudinal movement between the proximal end and the distal end of the slicer; whereby movement of the julienne selector in a first longitudinal direction causes the first julienne blade frame to travel up the first ramp wherein the first plurality of julienne blades extends through the first plurality of julienne slots, and movement of the julienne selector in an opposite second longitudinal direction causes the first julienne blade frame to travel down the first ramp wherein the first plurality of julienne blades is retracted from the first plurality of julienne slots. a frame having a pair of opposing frame sidewalls (130a, 130b) extending from a proximal end of the slicer to a distal end of the slicer; a main blade spanning between the pair of opposing frame sidewalls (130a, 130b); a platen forming a slicing ramp at the proximal portion of the slicer and carried by the frame between the pair of opposing frame sidewalls (130a, 130b), the platen having a proximal end and a distal end, the platen being positioned to define a gap between the main blade and the distal end of the platen, the platen being moveable with respect to a position of the main blade to define a slicing thickness for a food item traveling from the proximal end of the slicer toward the distal end of the slicer, the platen further having a first plurality of julienne blade slots extending along the distal end of the platen; a runout plate positioned at the distal end of the slicer; a julienne selector attached to the frame for movement along a longitudinal path defined between the distal end of the slicer and the proximal end of the slicer, the julienne selector including a first groove defining a first ramp; a first plurality of julienne blades carried on a first julienne blade frame, the first julienne blade frame being mounted to the julienne selector for movement along the first ramp, the first julienne blade frame further being constrained against longitudinal movement between the proximal end and the distal end of the slicer; whereby movement of the julienne selector in a first longitudinal direction causes the first julienne blade frame to travel up the first ramp wherein the first plurality of julienne blades extends through the first plurality of julienne slots, and movement of the julienne selector in an opposite second longitudinal direction causes the first julienne blade frame to travel down the first ramp wherein the first plurality of julienne blades is retracted from the first plurality of julienne slots.