Ventura Foods and Nation's Restaurant news relaunch MenuMasters awards website

New site gives professionals access to the only independent national awards program recognizing breakthroughs in foodservice R&D, culinary and menu development

(Brea, California) November, 2008 - MenuMasters, the only independent national awards program that recognizes foodservice professionals for visionary achievements in R&D, culinary and menu development, has a fresh new face online. The program's Web site, www.menumasters.com, recently received a major redesign and relaunch by Ventura Foods and Nation's Restaurant News.

The new site, which features a brighter, more open look, contains complete and up-to-date information of interest to foodservice industry professionals who are interested in pursuing the coveted MenuMasters award. Nominations can now be made online, with the convenience of uploading photos, menus and other supporting documentation.

The MenuMasters Awards Program was created in 1997 by the leadership of Nation's Restaurant News and Ventura Foods, LLC, with sponsorship by Ventura Foods as a way to formally recognize breakthrough ideas in menu development. The awards salute innovative R&D teams as well as chain and independent foodservice operators and individual culinary professionals. Each year, an outstanding, long-term contributor to the food industry is elected to the MenuMasters Hall of Fame.

Awards are given in eight categories:

"MenuMasters is the premier awards program recognizing market leaders in menu development, and its Web site needs to represent the level of culinary excellence recognized by MenuMasters each year," says Kelly Brintle, senior vice president, industry and trade relations at Ventura Foods.

"Just as the MenuMasters awards honor today's most innovative foodservice concepts and menus, our vibrant new online presence will support and communicate the value and impact of MenuMasters in a rapidly changing industry," Brintle explains.

The updated site covers news about the MenuMasters event, nominations criteria, entry information, current and past award winners, the history of MenuMasters, recent event menus and other details.

"The MenuMasters Award is a mark of distinction that has become the gold standard among menu development professionals," says Tom Larranaga, publisher of Nation's Restaurant News. "It elevates the profile of the foodservice R&D community as well as the quality of the customer dining experience."

"The rebirth of the MenuMasters Web site, celebrating best practices in menu development and innovation, offers an inspirational and educational resource for culinary professionals who aspire to be recognized as a 'MenuMaster,.'" Larranaga continues. "Given the changing dynamics of our industry and the customers we serve today, this is the ideal time to focus on fresh ideas and approaches to menu development."

MenuMasters is an invitation-only event presented by Nation's Restaurant News and sponsored by Ventura Foods during the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago each May. The MenuMasters ceremony has been held at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago for the past 10 years.

More than 300 menu R&D professionals and top foodservice operator executives attend the MenuMasters Awards ceremonies each year. The grand evening event features award-winning menu items served by the creative professionals who developed them, the MenuMasters awards presentation, and a post-event celebration with MenuMasters award winners.

"Winning a MenuMasters award can definitely enhance your public reputation and professional esteem, but the program goes farther than that, Brintle notes. "Over the years, it's helped nurture a sense of community in the foodservice industry. Aspiring to win a MenuMasters award builds teamwork among R&D groups and motivates foodservice colleagues to play at the top of their game. It's the flavor of competition and the quality of the event itself that add spice to the program, and give special meaning to being a MenuMasters award winner."

About Nation's Restaurant News
Nation's Restaurant News is the news leader of the foodservice industry. For nearly 50 years, the award-winning editors have delivered comprehensive breaking news, financial matters, menu trends and consumer insights across all restaurant segments. NRN is the only weekly paid subscription publication in the foodservice industry, and www.nrn.com has the highest number of users in the industry. The company produces more than 20 events and award recognition programs and develops custom media solutions for industry suppliers.

About Ventura Foods, LLC
Ventura Foods, LLC is a national manufacturer and marketer of dressings, sauces, flavor bases, gravies, shortenings, oils, aerosol pan coatings, margarines and spreads including a complete line of trans fat free products.

Ventura manufactures and markets Marie's® Blue Cheese dressings, and supplies the foodservice industry with Hidden Valley® brand dressings and sauces and Smart Balance® buttery spreads, as well as Ventura brands. The company also produces customer brands and custom-made dressings, mayonnaise and sauce formulations.

By collaborating with agricultural and processing alliance partners, Ventura Foods is bringing healthier foods from the farm to the consumer through the foodservice, retail and food ingredient markets.

Ventura Foods, LLC Headquarters
40 Pointe Drive, Brea, CA 92821
800.421.6257
www.venturafoods.com
Hidden Valley® is a registered trademark of the HV Food Products Company.
Marie's® is a registered trademark of Ventura Foods, LLC. Smart Balance® is a registered trademark of GFA Brands, Inc.