Candace McMenamin from Lexington, SC Wins National Kosher Championship Title Live Competitions Demonstrate Strong Trend in Kosher Food’s For Everyone

SECAUCUS, NJ (February 2007) — Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of Manischewitz, today announced the grand prize winner of the first ever Simply Manischewitz Cook-Off live cooking competition that culminated in February at The New York Marriott Marquis Hotel. Candace McMenamin from Lexington, SC was selected from among thousands of entries and was named the First Simply Manischewitz Grand Champion. Her winning recipe, "Sweet Potato Encrusted Chicken," earned her a prize package valued at over $20,000 including a General Electric Profile Kitchen, cash, expense paid trip to New York City and more. All recipes were tasted and reviewed at the live cook-off by a panel of judges that included best-selling cookbook author and Kosher Diva, Susie Fishbein; Executive Chef Jacques Sorci of the Ritz Carlton Hotels; Chef Bill Strynkowski from Cooking Light magazine, broadcaster of WFMU Jewish Music Nachum Segal; representative from General Electric and Manischewitz, editor of The Jewish Week Liel Leibovitz, as well as the Executive Chef Achilles Poliviou from the Marriott Marquis.

The other five finalists who competed were:

• Sharon Ricci from Mendon, NY: Matzo Brunch Bake
• Rayzel Yaish from Bergenfield, NJ: Middle Eastern Falafel Stuffed Peppers
• Laura Diamond from Apopka, FL: Savory Stuffed Mushroom
• Michaela Rosenthal from Woodland Hills, CA: Whitefish and Potato Knish
• Andrea Bloom from Long Beach, CA: Pea and Fennel Soup

"I am so excited and honored to be named the ‘National Simply Manischewitz Champion’", said Candace. "Although I am not Jewish, nor do I keep Kosher, I still love Jewish food and cooking with kosher products, as they are clean and pure. I especially love the Manischewitz line of products and have used them to make my dishes more delicious and creative."

"Manischewitz is delighted that Candace is our grand champion," says David Rossi, VP of Marketing for Manischewitz brands. "She, along with the other fabulous five finalists, demonstrated how Kosher cooking is a hot trend and that Jewish food can appeal to everyone."

Grand Prize Winner Candace McMenamin from Lexington, SC shows off her championship dish, Sweet Potato Encrusted Chicken, at the first ever Simply Manischewitz Cook-Off.

Cook-Off Background:

Manischewitz, the leader in quality specialty kosher foods for over 118 years, invited food lovers nationwide to enter for the chance to be one of 30 semi-finalists to compete in one of three live, judged regional cook-offs in: Northern New Jersey in October; Southern Florida in November; and in Southern California in December. More than 3,000 entries were received. Semi-finalists won $50 (ARV) in prizes. Finalists received $2,000 (ARV) in prizes and advanced to the final competition in New York City in February 2007 and competed for the Grand Prize valued at $20,000 (ARV), including a complete set of GE Profile kitchen appliances with a total estimated retail value of $10,000; and a $5,000 check from Manischewitz. The competition followed kosher guidelines under the guidance of the Manischewitz Rabbi - Rabbi Horowitz and was judged by a prestigious panel of judges in each market.

"We are delighted with this years competition and the enthusiasm demonstrated by home cooks," says Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of Manischewitz Brands. "This reinforces to us the love of great Jewish Food and Kosher products is strong among both Kosher and non-Kosher consumer. We are looking forward to next year being even better."