A portable foodstuff mixer (100) in which a magnetic coupling (112) provides a magnetic attraction force as a primary link both between a rotatable mixing element and a motor, and between a mixing vessel (104) and base (102). The mixer may be an electric vortex mixer in which the mixing vessel comprises a mixing element (110), e.g. blade or stirrer. The mixing vessel is retained on the base, and the mixing element is drivable by a motor in the base through a magnetic coupling. Providing a magnetic coupling can enable a structurally simpler interface between the mixing vessel and base to be achieved. This may be of benefit in terms of manufacturing costs and the ease with which a user can operate the mixer.