Benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate is obtained by the action of sodium hydroxide on benzaldehyde. This reaction is known as

Benzaldehyde on treatment with 50% aqueous or ethanolic alkali solution undergoes Cannizzaro's reaction like HCHO (no $\alpha$-hydrogen atom), i.e., one molecule is oxidized and one is reduced with the formation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol respectively.

$2{\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{CHO} \stackrel{\mathrm{NaOH}}{\to } {\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}+{\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{COONa}$