Hellmann’s(R) Helps Build The Perfect Sandwich For Any Occasion

Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay Teams Up with Hellmann’s(R) and Best Foods(R) Mayonnaise to Get America Thinking Between The Bread

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 25 /PRNewswire/ — Hellmann’s(R) and Best Foods(R) Mayonnaise is helping America take the tried-and-true sandwich from standby to celebrated standout by building the perfect sandwich for any occasion, mood or personality. Sandwiches have always been a staple of the brown bag lunch but now they are an even more important mealtime main course as families look to do more with less. Simply made sandwiches with Hellmann’s(R) or Best Foods(R) Mayonnaise not only provide a flavorful, satisfying meal option but they are also a great value.

Hellmann’s(R) and Best Foods(R) Mayonnaise has kicked off the second year of its partnership with critically acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality Bobby Flay to create The Build the Perfect Sandwich program. The partnership commenced in 2008 as part of an ongoing effort to provide real families with Real Food, which is unpretentious and simply made with good, simple ingredients. It doesn’t get more simple than Hellmann’s Real ingredients of eggs, oil and vinegar.

An interactive Web site (www.BuildThePerfectSandwich.com) features a series of video segments that highlight members of a live studio audience challenging Bobby Flay with various occasions for on-the-spot sandwich creations. The segments are timed to appear online over the spring and summer months and offer simple and usable advice, while still providing top-notch entertainment.

“I honestly believe there is a perfect sandwich for everyone; taking into account the occasion, your current mood, and even your personality is the first step towards figuring it out. There are endless textures and flavors that can be used to make a sandwich a truly delicious meal,” says Bobby. “I want to show people how to make great-tasting sandwiches they can feel good about preparing for themselves and their families. The content on this Web site captures the appeal of the sandwich, providing viewers with ‘cook along’ instruction and tips that will enhance their sandwich-creation skills.”

Bobby’s skills were put to the test by a wide variety of sandwich occasions, such as the “Ready to Rock” sandwich (a portable version of ham and eggs) created for the rock star production manager who needed the perfect solution for his crazy, 14-hour day. Bobby also created the “Easy, Delicious, I’ve Got One Free Hand Sandwich” (a customized spin on the Waldorf salad) for a busy mom who wanted a sandwich that would be delicious, but also something she could make with one hand. The site promises to provide a wealth of sandwiches that will fit with every occasion, mood and personality trait.

The creative new site houses tips, recipes, sweepstakes information, games, and even a “sandwich recommender,” which requires visitors to answer six simple questions that measure current mood, habits and what’s happening in their lives. A sample question asks: “assuming you could spend the day doing whatever you like would you” a) hike b) shop or c) curl up with a good book or movie. From there, the site tabulates the results and recommends the perfect sandwich recipe.

“We know that Americans crave Real Food and you can’t get more ‘real’ than preparing a simple, delicious sandwich for one’s family,” said James Fish, Senior Brand Manager, Hellmann’s(R) and Best Foods(R). “We like to think of Hellmann’s(R) as the ‘sandwich authority’ so it just made sense to join forces with a celebrated chef such as Bobby Flay to help America Build the Perfect Sandwich. Bobby brings a level of expertise that people admire while being real and relatable.”

Beginning on March 20, 2009, www.BuildThePerfectSandwich.com will feature wholesome entertainment and information on how to create the perfect sandwich every day. Visitors can enjoy how-to videos and tutorials featuring Flay, sandwich-making tips, show trailers, recipes and more. Visitors to the site can also enter the “Spread the Bread Sweepstakes” for a chance to win great prizes including Hellmann’s(R) and Best Foods(R) products and the grand prize of $10,000 for the winner, plus $1,000 each to 10 people of the winner’s choice. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The contest begins 12:00 p.m. ET on 3/20/09 and ends 12:00 p.m. ET on 7/15/09. For full official rules, go to www.BuildThePerfectSandwich.com.

About Unilever

Unilever’s mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.

In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann’s, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs nearly 12,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico – generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2008. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

    Contact:
    Margaux Logan, Unilever
    201-894-2256
    Margaux.Logan@unilever.com

    Mary Johnson, Weber Shandwick
    212-445-8149
    mjohnson@webershandwick.com

SOURCE Unilever