OCEAN SPRAY AWARDS THREE FOOTBALL FANS OPPORTUNITY TO COOK-OFF FOR THE TITLE “UNOFFICIAL OFFICIAL TAILGATE RECIPE OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS”

Cranberry Cook-Off Scheduled at Gillette Stadium October 15

LAKEVILLE MIDDLEBORO, Mass. (September 16, 2009) –For the first time in football history, three die-hard Patriots fans will have the opportunity to fire up the grill for a chance to win the title “Unofficial Official Tailgate Recipe of the New England Patriots.” The finalists will face-off on Oct. 15 at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass., for a chance to win a prize package including two tickets to the New England Patriots’ Oct. 18 game against the Tennessee Titans.

“Through our partnership with the Patriots, we’ve had the opportunity to showcase the cranberry in a unique setting and show football fans a different side of New England,” said Larry Martin, vice president of marketing at Ocean Spray. “The heart of tailgating truly shines through these recipes whether the finalists will be working with juice, sauce or Craisins at the cook-off.”

The Finalists

Finalist recipes include Kickin’ Cranberry Jalapeño Poppers from Ryan Doyle of Webster, Mass.; Grilled Bacon Apple Bites with Chunky Cranberry Spread from Katie Pelczar of Dedham, Mass.; and Big Game Cranberry Sausage-Stuffed Apples from Lisa Keys of Middlebury, Conn.

The finalist recipes are featured on www.oceanspray.com.

Chef Ming Tsai, host of “Simply Ming” and chef/owner of the award-winning Blue Ginger, and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Hannah will judge the entries and announce the winning recipe. Finalist recipes were chosen based on originality, use of Ocean Spray products and how well they reflected the overall theme of tailgating.

“Most people do not associate cranberries with tailgating, but they are a versatile fruit that can be used in unexpected ways,” said Ming Tsai. “As a local chef and football fanatic, I am looking forward to seeing how the finalists incorporate cranberries into their tailgate creations.”

“Participating in a different type of competition on my home turf is truly exciting,” added John Hannah. “If you can’t be on the field what better way to celebrate the game than by being surrounded by good food and enthusiastic fans.”

The cook-off coincides with Ocean Spray’s 2009 “Bogs Across America” tour at Patriot Place, where more than 2,000 pounds of glimmering cranberries will be on display in a free standing cranberry bog at Gillette Stadium. Visitors are encouraged to experience the bog Oct. 17 and 18.

Prizes
The grand prize winner will receive a prize package including two New England Patriots tickets, autographed New England Patriots memorabilia, first class hotel accommodations at the Renaissance Boston Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place, and the honor of having the winning recipe on display at the New England Patriots’ Tailgate Party on Oct. 18. The winning recipe will also be posted on the official New England Patriots website www.patriots.com, delivered to thousands of Patriots fans via the Patriots Now newsletter and featured on www.oceanspray.com.

All three finalists will receive a $100 Patriots ProShop gift card and private tour of Gillette Stadium on Oct. 15.

For additional details, visit www.oceanspray.com.   

About Ocean Spray
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 600 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as about 50 Florida grapefruit growers. Ocean Spray was formed 80 years ago by three cranberry growers from Massachusetts and New Jersey. Florida grapefruit growers joined the Cooperative in 1976. Ocean Spray is North America’s leading producer of canned and bottled juices and juice drinks, and has been the best-selling brand name in the canned and bottled juice category since 1981. Ocean Spray posted fiscal 2008 sales of roughly $1.9 billion.