A machine (10) for mixing food products includes a motor (22) which turns a hollow shaft assembly (28) that carries an agitator (40). The agitator (40) has an I-beam shaped stem (41) with a blade (43) in the shape of the bowl of a spoon on one end of the stem (41). A socket (44) is formed at the other end of the stem (41) and has a bottom surface (45). An assembly (70) for releasing the agitator (40) from the shaft assembly (28) includes a solenoid (71) which pivots an arm (74) that engages a plunger (80). The plunger (80) includes a pin (81) which is received in the hollow shaft assembly (28) and which engages the bottom surface (45) of the socket (44) of the agitator (40) upon activation of the solenoid (71) to release the agitator (40) from the hollow shaft assembly (28).
