WHAT’S ON FOOD SHOPPERS LIST FOR THE HOLIDAYS – STEW LEONARD’S REVEALS MOST REQUESTED ITEMS

NORWALK, Conn., December 17, 2002 – The week leading up to Christmas is typically Stew Leonard’s busiest time of the year, with record sales in each of the family-owned food stores three locations -- Norwalk and Danbury, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y – and this year should be no exception.  To make sure the store is stocked with what customers are clamoring for, Stew Leonard, Jr., president and CEO, reveals the tops items that shoppers are putting in their carts this holiday season.  These include filet mignon, Stew’s Gifts By Mail orders, cashmere sweaters (at only $50.00 each), extra large cooked shrimp and of course, Christmas trees.  Here is what else is hot:

From Stew’s Catering

“Our catering is more popular than ever this year – orders have doubled over last year.  I think it’s because our chefs take the hassle out of holiday entertaining, from food and wine to flowers,” said Stew Leonard, Jr.  “Ordering prepared meals does not have to break the bank.  Our fully-prepared fork tender filet mignon is only $10.00 a serving – no wonder it tops the list as our number one best-selling item.” 

1. Roasted Filet Mignon:  Gently marinated with garlic and spice, then oven roasted.  So tender, it can be cut with a fork. Serves 10 – 12 guests for $120.00.
2. Freshly Marinated Oven Ready Turkey:  Start with a fresh turkey, marinated with onions, shallots, apples, parsley, pepper, orange peel, sage, bay leaf, garlic and Marsala wine, so it is fully prepared for roasting in your oven.  A medium turkey serves 8 – 10 guests for $40.00 .
3. Baked Spiral Glazed Ham:  Stew’s hams are extra trimmed and cured with a distinctive blend of brown sugar and spices, then slow cooked in a hickory smokehouse.  When cool, the hams are sliced thin and dressed with a pineapple glaze.  A whole ham that serves 15 – 18 guests is $80.00.
4. Homestyle Lasagna:  Mrs. Leonard’s fresh egg pasta layered with mozzarella, ricotta and romano cheese and Stew’s meat or marinara sauce.  Serves 8 – 10 guests for $30.00.
5. Whole Poached Salmon :  A whole salmon beautifully garnished and served with our homemade cucumber dill sauce.  A medium salmon serves 12 – 15 guests for $130.00

From Stew’s Gift Center

This department started 20 years ago, and has been growing ever since. Customers can call 1-800-SAY-STEW or order online and receive free standard shipping now through Christmas. Here are the most popular shipped items from Stew’s:

1. Stew’s Choice Basket:  The first basket Stew’s shipped 20 years ago and still the customers’ favorite.  Filled with a selection of gourmet treats ranging from sweet to savory, including Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Truffles, Butter Toasted Peanuts, Butter Mints, Vermont cheddar, "Clover" the Cheese Cow, Caramel Popcorn, Carr's Gourmet Crackers, Non-Alcoholic Cider And Freshly Ground Coffee.  $49.99.
2. Sweet Treats Basket:  Everything is individually wrapped for freshness, making it easy to share at the office or with a crowd. This basket includes Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies, Butter Mints, Vanilla & Chocolate Caramels, Chocolate Truffles, Butter Toasted Peanuts and Fresh-Popped Caramel Popcorn. $29.99   
3. Snack Attack: The ultimate gift for the cheese and cracker lover, this basket packs in
   Brie Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Gouda Cheese, Summer Sausage, Salmon Pate, Carr's Gourmet Crackers, Honey Mustard and Stew's Choice Coffee. $39.99  
4. Crowd Pleaser: Filled with snacks and sweets -- great for housewarmings, nurses & staff, an office team, or your favorite student.  This basket includes Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pirouline Cookies, Karen's Triple Viennese Cookie Thins, Milk Chocolate Drops, Buttermints, Cashews, Pistachios, Butter Toasted Peanuts, and Caramel Corn.
   $39.99.
5. Deluxe Basket:  This basket contains enough for a whole meal; from savory nuts and cheeses to candies and Bethy’s Bakery cookies. This gift includes Chocolate Chip cookies, Butter Mints, Chocolate Candies, Pistachios, Vermont Cheddar, "Clover" the Cheese Cow, Brie Cheese, Pepperoni, Butter Toasted Peanuts, Caramel Popcorn, Carr's Gourmet Crackers, Specialty Mustard, Non Alcoholic Cider, Fresh Ground Coffee and Assorted Teas.  $69.99  

From Stew’s Christmas Shop

1. Christmas Trees:   Every year Stew Leonard’s sells about 35,000 Christmas Trees.  The three most popular varieties are:  Balsam, Douglas and Fraser Firs.  Click Here to get tips from our tree experts on picking the perfect tree!
2. Water Spouts:  This handy gadget lets you keep the tree watered without getting on your hands and knees and covered with pine needles.  It’s like a dip-stick for your tree – pour in the water, and pull out the gauge – it will tell you if you have enough water in your tree.
3. Santa Inflatables:  The HO-HO-Hottest Christmas novelty item for the house.  They are flying off the shelves faster than Donner and Blitzen. 
4. Stew’s Miracle Tree:   A special formula developed with Stew’s Christmas tree growers that replenishes the tree’s nutrients immediately.  Simply fill the tree stand with one part Stew’s Miracle Tree and two parts warm water – it’s like Gatorade for trees!
5. Little Lites:  A great value, with 150 lights per pack and a 5,000-hour bulb life.  Also called “rice lites” because they come in a Chinese take-out like container.  Easy to put on the tree and store after the holidays.

Top Five Christmas Wines

Because there are so many styles of wine, we asked Stew Leonard’s Wine Manager’s what their picks are for the most popular holiday wines, in terms of taste, value and how well they pair with traditional holiday foods.

1. Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone 2000:  This wine was named “Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year” and the wine’s balanced blend of fruit and spice complement turkey nicely.
2. Piper Heidsieck:  Champagne is not just for celebrating – this delightfully crisp bubbly goes with everything.  This Dry Brut Champagne scored an impressive 91 from Wine Spectator magazine – a must try!
3. Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon:  For that special filet mignon, the perfect wine – and this is one of the best kept secrets in Napa.  Sequoia Grove just earned the gold medal in the International Wine Competition, yet is half the price of next-door-neighbor Cakebread.
4. Simi Chardonnay:  One of our top-selling chards.  Simi has a rich, buttery taste with toasty oak and vanilla on the finish.  Perfect for salmon!
5. Marie Des Fontaines:  This French winery has some terrific bargains! A bottle of their delicious French Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot or Pinot Noir is only $6.99 a bottle – or $3.00 for $18.00. A great value. 

Stew Leonard’s was dubbed the “Disneyland of Dairy Stores” by the New York Times, because of its own milk processing plant, costumed characters, scheduled entertainment, petting zoo and animatronics throughout the stores. The company has received worldwide acclaim for excellence in customer service and quality and was named to FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” list in 2002.