Mimi's Cafe

08.19.09

MIMIS CAFE ANNOUNCES WINNING RECIPE FOR 2009 MIMI’S MEANINGFUL MUFFIN SEARCH; PROCEEDS FROM MUFFIN TO BENEFIT SHARE OUR STRENGTH®

IRVINE, Calif. (August 19, 2009) – After months of reviewing nearly 1,600 online entries, Mimis Cafe, the all day fresh cafe, and celebrity chef, Gale Gand, have selected the 2009 Mimi’s Meaningful Muffin in honor of Mimis Cafe’s 30th birthday. “Pineapple Coconut Crumb,” submitted by Murrieta, Calif. resident Linda Amendt, took the grand prize and will be featured in Mimi’s more than 144 locations nationwide, August 22 to September 30, 2009. For every Meaningful Muffin purchased, Mimis Cafe will contribute $1* to Share Our Strength, the leading national organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger in the U.S.

“Our freshly baked muffins are guest favorites, so they were a natural fit for our recipe search,” said Mimi Somerman, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Mimis Cafe. “The limited time Mimi’s Meaningful Muffin is a delicious addition to our 30th birthday celebration, and more importantly proceeds from our muffin sales contribute to a timely cause that benefits millions of children.”

Award-winning pastry chef, acclaimed author and TV personality, Gale Gand and Mimis Cafe Executive Chef, Adam Baird, took on the task of judging the online recipe entries that covered the entire taste palette from savory to sweet. Recipes were judged on taste, originality and ease with which the recipes could be produced in large quantities.

“Cinna-Peach” submitted by Jan Jacobson of Phoenix, Ariz. took second place honors, and Caribbean Sweet Potato by Vjolca Capri, Orlando, Fla. came in third. The majority of entries submitted by finalists, including Amendt, were inspired by their own favorite family recipes.

“I was impressed by the creativity, sophistication and variety of entries,” said Gand. “It was a difficult decision, as Cinna-Peach and Caribbean Sweet Potato were tough competition. Ultimately, Pineapple Coconut Crumb had the perfect balance of flavors and textures and we felt it would appeal best to a wide audience.”

In addition to the grand prize muffin available at all Mimis Cafe locations for a limited time, Amendt also won $1,000 in Mimis Cafe gift cards, which she plans to use with friends and family for a celebration at her local Mimis Cafe. She also received a personally signed copy of Gale Gand’s latest book, “Gale Gand’s Brunch!”

Visit MimisCafe.com to view a complete list of finalists, winning recipes and invite friends and family to try the new muffin using the free Meet Me at Mimi’s invite tool. For more information on Share Our Strength and its ongoing projects and campaigns, please visit Strength.org.

* Up to a maximum contribution of $40,000

ABOUT MIMI'S CAFE

Mimis Cafe is a collection of upscale casual dining restaurants with 145 locations in 24 states as of the end of the second fiscal quarter (October 23, 2009). Mimis Cafe is a unit wholly owned by Bob Evans Farms, Inc. a publicly traded company (NASDAQ ticker symbol BOBE), known and loved for its full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with high-quality, eclectic cuisine, unparalleled service and tastefully appointed décor.