A severing device and method is effective to sever a portion from a frozen slab of fish or meat. The severing device can be sized to be useful in a domestic kitchen, and can be stored in a kitchen drawer when not in use. The severing device can be an elongated severing device, having an inverted Y-shaped cross section, which provides a raised separating edge and a two legged base. The separating edge can be relatively sharp. The two legs that make up the base can likewise be sharp such that any of the three legs that make up the inverted Y shape can be used as the raised edge, by rotating the severing device. Alternately the severing device can have a triangular cross section or an inverted T-shaped cross section. Also, alternately, the severing device can comprise a stand. The stand includes a base plate supporting a holder. The holder includes a vertical wall having an elongated slot. A cleaver or knife has a blade with a sharpened edge, and a handle. The cleaver is placed edge-up into the slot. Frozen slabs can then be placed over the edge and pressed down to be severed.