The invention is a lock (100) for the bowl support (60) of a food mixing machine (10). After the bowl (40) is raised into the mixing position, the lock (100) ensures that the bowl (40) maintains its position and is not subject to creep. The mixing machine (10) comprises a mixing head (30), a mixing bowl support (60) for supporting a mixing bowl (40) under the mixing head (30), a gear train (70) for moving the bowl support (60) and mixing bowl (40) into position beneath the mixing head (30), and a lock (100) which engages the gear train (70) to prevent the bowl support (60) from moving out of position beneath the mixing head (30) during mixing. The lock (100) is preferably a pawl (114) which engages one of the gears (78) in the gear train (70), preventing the bowl (40) and the bowl support (60) from moving out of position.