Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalists Go (Fisher) Nuts

ELGIN, IL — More than one-third of 100 Pillsbury Bake-Off finalists used Fisher Nuts, www.fishernuts.com in their recipes, which set them up for a hot competition this month when on April 12, the category and special prize winners are announced two days prior to Oprah Winfrey announcing the $1-million grand prize winner Live on her show on April 14. If the winning recipe includes Fisher Nuts, it will be the second time in a row that the big prize money goes to a recipe with Fisher inside.

Fisher Nuts were one of 10 eligible ingredients in the secondary category. Other ingredients on the list by brand included peanut butter, jams and jellies, fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, cooking oil, eggs, butter, and cocoa, chips & baking chocolate.

Among the secondary ingredients, Fisher Nuts were used by 38 of the 100 finalists for recipes in four categories: breakfast and brunch, Dinner Made Easy™, entertaining appetizers, and sweet treats. That made Fisher Nuts one of the top favorite ingredients, followed by butter (34), jams and jellies (31), cocoa and baking chocolate (24) and frozen vegetables (12). Primary ingredients were virtually all Pillsbury products such as biscuits, dinner rolls, pizza crust, breadsticks and cookie dough, which form the foundation of the recipes across the categories.

Contestants used an average of 3.5 ingredients in the 100 recipes that became finalists. By percentage, Fisher Nuts were among the top three in the secondary category. Eggs were the most-used secondary ingredient (in 18 percent of all recipes), butter was second (17 percent) and Fisher Nuts were third (14 percent.)

“We were pleased and gratified to be such a big part of the finalists’ recipes and we hope Fisher Nuts can help carry the day for the winners,” said ,” says Julie Nargang, director of corporate marketing at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. “The number of finalist that used nuts in their recips, demonstrates their usefulness and versatility in all kinds of recipes, from breakfast and brunch to sweet desserts. Great cooks know that nuts can be a flavorful and healthy ingredient in innumerable recipes.”

Since 1920, Fisher Nuts has prided itself on providing only the freshest and highest quality nuts. Fisher Chef’s Naturals are a favorite of at-home chefs looking for an easy and nutritious way to add flavor and pizzazz to any dish. Fisher Nuts and Fisher Chef’s Naturals are enjoyed as healthy snacks and delicious baking and cooking ingredients, making every day meals extraordinary.

Consumers may notice that Fisher Chef’s Naturals have recently been packaged in new Earth-Friendly packaging. The packaging can be called Earth-Friendly because 35% of the packaging is made using plant-based renewable resources, not oil. Plant-based renewable resources can include corn, cellulose and wood pulp.

This is the 44th Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. Returning highlights include a $1 million Grand Prize, the America’s Favorite Recipe Award voted on by consumers at www.bakeoff.com , details of the 100 finalist recipes and a finals showdown in Orlando, Fla.

All entries had to meet the recipe category and eligible products requirements, which included appropriate use and an amount at least equal to the quantity specified. Recipes had to be new and original, and were judged for taste, appearance, creativity and consumer appeal.

On April 12, 2010, the 100 finalists will prepare their recipes again, this time in mini-kitchens at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Bonnet Creek Hotel. Winners will be announced on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on April 14.

Fisher Nuts is proud to be represented in this popular contest. And our participation serves to remind all cooks in every kitchen that nuts deserve a regular place in their cupboards.

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John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., (NASDAQ: JBSS), founded in 1922, is a leading processor, marketer and distributor of shelled and in-shell nuts and extruded snacks that are sold in multiple distribution channels. Their products can be found under the company’s Fisher and Sunshine Country brand names and under a variety of private labels.

For more information about Fisher products visit www.fishernuts.com. Join our Facebook Fan community at www.facebook.com/fishernutsbrand.

Source: John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.