Best-Selling Canadian Cookbook Series Now Available in America, From Stewart House Publishing; Best of Bridge: Simple Recipes With Gourmet Results.

Business Editors

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2001

Stewart House Publishing Inc., a publisher of family and children's information through entertainment, announces that the best-selling cookbook series in Canada--with over three million copies sold--is being brought to the U.S. to satisfy the craving for great family-style recipes.

This series of books, called Best of Bridge(c), includes six titles that will be released under Stewart House's newly announced inaugural imprint, Winding Stair Press. Best of Bridge will be available in the U.S. in August, 2001.

What is the Best of Bridge cookbook series?

For over 25 years, the philosophy of the Best of Bridge authors has been to provide their customers with recipes and cooking ideas they can trust. Their recipes have been tested and retested; customers know that the recipes will work and that they give great first-time results. These cookbooks contain menu suggestions for all occasions, and feature many full-color photographs of individual recipes. Easy-to-find ingredients and new ideas for adding great-tasting twists to simple meals have made this series of best-selling cookbooks incredibly popular.

The page design of the books is unique and intriguing; the recipes are hand-letter and humorous sayings are sprinkled throughout the books. Each recipe is formatted to look as if the cook is peering into a friend's recipe box. Best of Bridge fans report that they love the one-liner jokes. Men, especially, mention that they enjoy the light-hearted humor as they prepare their favorite meals.

Who are the authors of Best of Bridge?

In 1975, a group of women sat around a table piled high with homemade food at their annual bridge retreat. Their dream was to raise money for a ladies' getaway trip the following year. This evolved into a plan to publish their favorite recipes in a user-friendly cookbook and market it across Canada--despite having full-time jobs and small children.

The eight authors were not chefs, home economists or trained food professionals. They were, however, pioneers in creating everyday, accessible cookbooks -- books that home cooks can relate to and depend on. The Best of Bridge authors are known for their common-sense cooking, "no-fail" recipes and keen sense of humor. They love to cook and they have fun doing it.

The Best of Bridge cookbooks--and the authors--have been extensively chronicled over the years throughout the Canadian media, with appearances on national television (including a 13-episode cooking show), and popular book signings at book stores across the country.

What books are available from Best of Bridge?

Aces: Simple recipes with gourmet results are found throughout this cookbook. Rave reviews have been reported for "Peachy Cheese Dip," "Brushetta," "Major Grey's Meat Loaf" and "Sticky Baked Chicken." "Sour Cream Apple Cake" and "Blueberry Buckle" are favorites among kids -- big and small. This book includes a complete index for the Best of Bridge Series.

Enjoy!: This title features a cross-section of recipes with a strong focus on appetizers and vegetable dishes. Signature recipes include "Ham `N Cheese Ball," "Fergosa," "Red Cabbage" and "Lemon Pudding." People buy this book just for the "Christmas Morning Wifesaver" recipe.

Grand Slam: A list of menu suggestions for all occasions includes most-requested recipes, like "Bomb Shelter Croustades," "Cocktail Spread," "How Cheesy Do You Want It?" and "Teriyaki Salmon Steaks." Serve "Unattended Roast Beef" and "French Lemon Pie" to guests--entertainment is made easy with this title.

That's Trump: Delicious fat-reduced recipes like "Hearty Tortellini Soup" and "Apple Phyllo Crisps" have been long-time favorites. Must-try recipes include "Muffuletta," "Pork Loin with Apple Topping," "Skor Bar Cookies" and "Easier than Apple Pie." Look for a combined index of all the Best of Bridge Cookbooks.

Winners: Cooking ideas include everything from appealing appetizers to delicious desserts. Try "Jalapeno Pepper Jelly," "Chicken Atlanta" and Pasta Pot." "Spiked Apple Betty" and "Irish Coffee Cream Pie" for sure-fire hits when entertaining.

The Best of Bridge: This is the first and still one of the best in the series. It is full of family favorites, including "Herb Bread," "Sweet and Sour Ribs," "Rene's Sandwich Loaf," "Saturday Night Special" and "Icebox Pudding." This title is best known for offering an outstanding selection of Christmas baking ideas.

Availability & Pricing

Best of Bridge cookbooks will be available in August, 2001 in many bookstores, kitchen shops and gift stores. Each book is available at an MSRP of $12.95 US, $19.95 CDN.

With offices in Toronto, Ontario and Indianapolis, Indiana, Stewart House Publishing Inc. is a dynamic publishing, sales and marketing organization that specializes in children's and family products. Stewart House is focused on providing information through entertainment, creating and supporting distinctive brand opportunities across all retail channels throughout North America. Among Stewart House's best-selling brands are Time Passages Commemorative Yearbooks(TM), My Art(TM), Klutz(R) and Baby Genius(c).

Note to editors: Digital images and product samples available by request to the media contact noted above.