Top Canadian chefs pick new pickle: Vlasic

- Vlasic pickles pass taste-test of Canadian chefs -

TORONTO, Oct. 5 /CNW/ - Vlasic, Canada's newest national pickle brand has
passed the taste test of some of Canada's most discriminating palettes.
Leading chefs from across the country were among the first to savour the
Vlasic pickle. Vancouver's top chef, Rob Feenie of Lumiere and Feenie's, and
Chef Adam Foley of Toronto's top-rated Brassaii, were so impressed that they
plan to serve Vlasic Kosher Dills to their customers. Vlasic is the best
selling pickle in the United States and is now available to Canadian consumers
for the first time.

"As chef and owner of two busy restaurants in Vancouver, I've learned
that success lies in the details," says Chef Feenie. "When I was told that
Vlasic pickles were now available in Canada, my kitchen team and I happily
agreed to a taste test. Three jars of the baby garlic dills disappeared in one
afternoon. These spicy little pickles are the perfect topper to our Feenie
Weenie, or the Feenie Burger. When you're serving a hamburger with foie gras
and short ribs, you need the very best pickle to add a little kick to the
meal. Speaking from personal experience, a jar of Vlasic pickles is a perfect
snack all on its own."

Brassaii's patio houses a large outdoor kitchen. "We're known for
excellent quality food that is sophisticated yet casual," says Chef Foley.
"I tried Vlasic and was impressed. We serve a lot of sandwiches and barbequed
hamburgers in the courtyard and garnish every plate with a pickle. We're also
using Vlasic dills to add zesty punch to our dill and corn relish, and tartar
sauce."

The 64-year old brand, known for its top quality pickles and quirky stork
mascot, is now available in 5 varieties in Canada. Vlasic joins only one other
national pickle brand in Canada, in a market that the company estimates is
valued at $120 million.

"Vlasic has a long-standing tradition of quality and has consistently led
the pickle market in America," says Andrew Salisbury, VP and General Manager,
Pinnacle Foods Canada. "Before Vlasic came to Canada there was only one
national brand here. The favourable response of our grocery store partners,
combined with positive consumer research indicates that pickle lovers are
hungry for a new, superior quality pickle."

Consumer taste tests across Canada revealed a two-to-one preference for
Vlasic over Canada's current national brand. Vlasic pickles are available on
the shelves of Major retailers across Canada including, Loblaw Companies
Limited, Safeway, Westfair, Overwaite Food Group, Sobeys, Metro and A&P.

Vlasic Pickles are distributed by Pinnacle Foods Canada Corporation,
established in 2001 as the Canadian subsidiary of U.S. Pinnacle Foods
Corporation. Formerly Vlasic Foods International, Pinnacle Foods Canada
Corporation brands also include Swanson frozen foods (Hungry-Man, Hearty
Bowls, Smart Bowls) and Duncan Hines.