Austin, Texas Nine Year-Old Experiences History in the Baking at Hasbro's EASY-BAKE "Baker of the Year 2000" National Finals.

Business and Feature Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2000

Alexandra Stewart, a nine year-old from Austin, Texas, was named EASY-BAKE "Baker of the Year 2000" today after baking her delicious "Chocolate Mousse Cake" for a panel of toy, parenting and culinary experts at the Four Seasons Hotel here in New York City. This announcement culminates the search for America's best child baker, which Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS), makers of the EASY-BAKE Oven, launched earlier this year.

A nine year-old budding baker from Austin, Texas, Alexandra's "Chocolate Mousse Cake" is a chocolate lover's delight - from the cake and mousse to the icing and M&Ms, this is a rich, sweet delicacy.

"I'm so happy to be the EASY-BAKE 'Baker of the Year 2000,'" said Alexandra Stewart. "It was so great just to be here. I can't believe my recipe won, because all of the others looked so good too!"

In addition to the coveted "Baker of the Year 2000" title, Alexandra Stewart received a $5,000 savings bond, a special dinner party for ten in her home hosted by a chef instructor from Johnson & Wales University, the world's largest culinary school, and a two-year supply of EASY-BAKE brand bake sets.

Alexandra Stewart was selected from five finalists all between the ages of 8 and 11. These budding bakers met just yesterday, when they arrived in New York for the final competition. The runners up are: Amanda Marzano from North Scituate, Rhode Island, Jessica Steffl from Vancouver, Washington, Ashley Tollefson from Northfield, Minnesota, and Shalene Weyers from Lincoln, Nebraska. They each received a $1,000 savings bond, and a one-year supply of EASY-BAKE brand bake sets. All of the finalists received a trip to New York and a package of Hasbro toys and games.

Situated at their own personal baking stations equipped with EASY-BAKE Ovens, the finalists demonstrated their penchant for pastries at today's "Baker of the Year 2000" event. Aided by Susan Weaver (Four Seasons Hotel New York Executive Chef), the finalists spent the morning baking their creations, the best of which was submitted to a panel of judges, including Christophe Toury, Four Seasons Hotel New York Executive Pastry Chef; Wendy Smolen, Nick Jr. magazine deputy editor; Bill Jensen, Playthings magazine executive editor; Donna Reardon, senior brand manager for Hasbro; and Tom Wright, senior vice president of development at Johnson & Wales University. The panel judged the five entries on the following criteria: creative use of ingredients, ease of preparation, presentation and taste.

"We are so proud of Alexandra Stewart, and all of the children who developed such wonderful entries for this contest," said Vivien Joklik, Hasbro's General Manager of Preschool, Creative Play and Girl's Brands. "There's no question that children love to bake, which is why the EASY-BAKE Oven is as popular today as it was 37 years ago. The 'Baker of the Year' contest celebrates the creativity and fun that the EASY-BAKE brand provides."

Lindsey Thompson, the 11 year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas who stole everyone's heart when she won the first "Baker of the Year" contest in 1998, was also on hand today. She served as the event emcee and when the new winner was announced, Lindsey participated in the "passing of the light bulb" ceremony, handing over the title to a beaming Alexandra Stewart.

Finding the EASY-BAKE "Baker of the Year 2000" began earlier this year, when Hasbro issued a nationwide "call to bakers." Hundreds of children between ages 8 and 11 responded with recipes before the July 31 entry deadline. These recipes were culled down to a "bakers dozen" - the top 13 - with the help of representatives from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. In August, staff and students from the prestigious University assisted Hasbro representatives in selecting the final five who were at today's event.

EASY-BAKE OVEN BACKGROUND

Children have been enjoying the EASY-BAKE Oven since 1963. By its fifth birthday, the EASY-BAKE Oven had become a household name. In the 1970's, the EASY-BAKE brand grew with all-new mixes and new products, such as a potato chip maker, blender/juicer and taffy machine. The EASY-BAKE brand entered the 1980's with a new, sleek design and mix sets, such as brownies & cookies and cakes & frosting together. Today, more than 19 million EASY-BAKE Ovens have been sold and more than 130 million mixes have been used. And, the EASY-BAKE brand continues to offer each new generation of children real cooking experiences and tastier treats than ever before with new bake sets featuring classic food brands and favorite characters, including McDonald's(R), Eggo(tm), POP TARTS(R) and Pokemon.

EASY-BAKE is a brand of Hasbro Inc., a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time and entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging form traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, SUPER SOAKER, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, HASBRO INTERACTIVE, MICROPROSE, and WIZARDS IF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

Consumers can visit www.hasbro.com or call 800-327-8264 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, for questions about the EASY-BAKE brand or other Hasbro products.