Mars Snackfood US Teams Up With TV Host and Lifestyle Expert, Ingrid Hoffmann

Mars Snackfood US Teams Up With TV Host and Lifestyle Expert, Ingrid Hoffmann

TV Food and Entertaining Star Lends Talent to BrightIdeas.com

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Snackfood US announced today its strategic partnership with Ingrid Hoffmann, host of the Food Network show "Simply Delicioso," to be the spokesperson and provide content for the brands' celebration solution-based Web site, BrightIdeas.com. The Latin food and entertaining expert will share her culinary talent and creative insights to provide recipes, celebration planning tips and creative ideas on BrightIdeas.com around key seasonal timeframes and holidays, such as Valentine's Day, Easter and more. Mars Snackfood's interactive Web site BrightIdeas.com provides celebration planning ideas and recipes using all the Mars Snackfood's candy brands including M&M'S(R), SKITTLES(R), DOVE(R), TWIX(R), SNICKERS(R), STARBURST(R), MILKY WAY(R) and THREE MUSKETEERS(R).

"Ingrid Hoffmann brings years of entertaining experience and a multicultural perspective to the portfolio of Mars Snackfood brands," said Carole Walker, director, Integrated Marketing Communications Group, Mars North America. "Her engaging energy and casual entertainment expertise will add a unique, creative flair to the Bright Ideas recipes, activities and decorating tips."

"To me, entertaining is about creating an experience -- from the menu to the decor. Incorporating Mars Snackfood candies into both elements adds a distinctive touch," said Ingrid Hoffmann. "From using M&M'S Candies to add color to any party to creating a delicious Chocolate Mousse out of Dove chocolate, the possibilities are endless."

In addition to providing fun, entertaining ideas on the Web site, Hoffmann will contribute to the BrightIdeas e-newsletter and engage in online chats, keeping in the line with the principals of BrightIdeas -- simple, easy and above all, FUN!

About Ingrid Hoffmann

Growing up in her mother's kitchen, who is a Cordon Bleu chef, Ingrid discovered her passion for food and entertaining, developing dishes with a Latin twist. Hoffmann is the host of Food Network's Simply Delicioso as well as the hit series, Delicioso on the Spanish-language network, Galavision/Univision, which is currently in its fifth season. More of Hoffmann's cooking and entertaining ideas are included in her debut cookbook, SIMPLY DELICIOSO: A Collection of Everyday Recipes with a Latin Twist, which released February 5, 2008.

About BrightIdeas.com

BrightIdeas.com is an excellent resource for all holiday and celebration needs. You'll find recipes, gifts, as well as entertaining ideas. There are more than 400 recipes and ideas for delicious treats, plus fun family activities for just about any occasion. For more information on Ingrid Hoffmann and fun recipes like the Dove Chocolate Mousse listed below, visit http://www.brightideas.com/.

Ingrid Hoffmann's Recipe
Dove Chocolate Mousse
Serves 6
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Refrigeration Time: 30 minutes

1 cup heavy whipping cream
6 oz. Dove(R) dark chocolate (approximately 22 pieces)
2 egg yolks
3 egg whites
1 tablespoon sugar

Place a large glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. Melt chocolate, stirring occasionally. Do next two steps while chocolate melts.

In a chilled clean medium bowl, beat the cream with an electric mixer at high speed until it holds medium peaks. Set aside. If using the same set of beaters for the next step, be sure to clean and dry them thoroughly between steps.

In another clean medium bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer at high speed until it holds medium peaks. Set aside.

Mix the yolks and sugar with the melted chocolate. Fold in 1/3 of the egg whites first to lighten the mix, add the remaining 2/3 of the egg whites and fold gently. Add the whipped cream and mix. Serve in martini glasses and let chill until ready to serve.

About Mars Snackfood US

Mars Snackfood US is the United States snack operations of Mars North America. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., Mars North America includes food, snack and pet care segments, which are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars North America employs more than 12,000 associates in the United States, with 54 facilities nationwide. Mars Snackfood US includes some of the world's favorite brands such as DOVE CHOCOLATE(R) Brand, M&M'S(R) Brand, MILKY WAY(R) Brand, SKITTLES(R) Brand, SNICKERS(R) Brand, STARBURST(R) Brand, THREE MUSKETEERS(R) Brand, TWIX(R) Brand and more. Additional popular brands in the petcare and food segments for Mars North America include UNCLE BEN'S(R) Brand, PEDIGREE(R) Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS(R) Brand Food for Cats. Please visit http://www.mars.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Mars Snackfood US

CONTACT: Ryan Bowling of Mars Snackfood US, +1-908-850-2396, mobile,
+1-908-914-1702, ryan.bowling@effem.com; or Wheatley Marshall of Weber
Shandwick, +1-312-988-2483, mobile, +1-312-933-3425,
wmarshall@webershandwick.com, for Mars Snackfood US

Web site:

http://www.brightideas.com/
http://www.mars.com/

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