An adjustable food press for making a wide variety of hot and cold sandwiches and other foods that are compressed during preparation. The food press has a dome and a handle assembly, attached to a pressing plate inside the dome, that adjusts the position of the pressing plate to the desired sandwich thickness. Once positioned, the handle assembly is locked in position, holding the pressing plate in place until the sandwich is ready. When the pressing plate is released, the dome is left in place to keep the food warm, or removed and used on the same or a different sandwich style. The food press functions with a variety of flat-surfaced cooking equipment used to prepare hot and cold food. The dome prevents spatter of grease and food particles on surrounding surfaces. The pressing plate is removable for cleaning or for interchanging with a different style of pressing plate.