Fortified and Functional Food Manufacturer Announces New Company Name in Honor of Late Co-Founder
TORONTO, May 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Hollywood Foods, a leading manufacturer of fortified and functional foods, one of the fastest growing segments within the expanded Better-for-You food category, announced today that it has changed its corporate name to "Gabriella's Kitchen," in honor of its late co-founder, Gabriella Micallef.
"Together, my sister Gabriella and I founded Hollywood Foods to create a line of fortified and functional foods with ingredients that alleviate symptoms of chronic illness and promote overall wellness," said Margot Micallef, Co-founder and CEO of Gabriella's Kitchen. "We wanted to create delicious foods that could be enjoyed by everyone – no matter their dietary requirements or preferences. I am so proud to honor Gabriella as the inspiration of our company."
The current Hollywood Foods family of products consists of three lines of pastas marketed under the skinnypasta™ and Antipastos Kitchen brands, available in over 600 retailers across Canada. Both will retain their popular recipes but with new names and packaging. The Antipastos Kitchen Gluten-Free offerings will be renamed "skinnypasta™ Gluten-Free." skinnypasta™ High Protein will continue to be available but with fresh, new packaging.
Along with its new brand packaging, Gabriella's Kitchen will introduce a new product to its lineup this September: "skinnypasta™ Superfood." The first and only fresh pasta to use the unique ancient grain, teff, skinnypasta™ Superfood is an ideal source of vegan protein that's naturally gluten-free and poised to be the Western world's next "superfood." While teff may be the world's smallest superfood, it packs a big nutritional punch, making skinnypasta™ Superfood high in protein, iron, calcium and resistant starch. All skinnypasta™ products are made the old-fashioned way with authentic Italian machinery that produces an authentic homemade taste and texture, so that everyone can Love Pasta Again™.
Gabriella's Kitchen has enjoyed steady growth in the Canadian market over the past eight years and made its US debut in Los Angeles on April 14. skinnypasta™ was launched in LA via a food truck that allows consumers to immediately sample the pastas free of charge, and empowers them to ask their local grocery stores to carry their favorite Gabriella's Kitchen products. This innovative, grass-roots approach aims to quickly drive consumer trial and leverage positive testimonials to gain the attention of retailers.
Gabriella's Kitchen has engaged Kwittken and Doner – sister agencies within the MDC Partners network – to provide public relations support and creative advertising counsel. Both agencies are financial investors in Gabriella's Kitchen and are committed to the long-term success and growth of the company.
"We are very excited to bring both Kwittken and Doner onboard," said Micallef. "The agencies bring strong strategic and creative thinking to the table and are able to integrate seamlessly. The two teams understand how to engage consumers in a meaningful way and, as our business partners, can help us generate excitement for our products."
"Gabriella's Kitchen is an inspiring company, and we're honored to help continue the success and grow even further into the U.S. market," said Aaron Kwittken, Global Chairman and CEO of Kwittken. "We see exceptional potential in the business, and look forward to partnering with the company as it continues to evolve and expand."
"This is an exciting opportunity for Doner to leverage our creative expertise to distinguish Gabriella's Kitchen from other pasta brands on the market," said Jennifer Deutsch, EVP, General Manager, Doner. "We are so proud to be working with Gabriella's Kitchen and look forward to growing the brand together."
About Gabriella's Kitchen
Gabriella's Kitchen was founded as Hollywood Foods in 2007 by Italian sisters, Gabriella and Margot Micallef. The two were on a mission to create highly nutritious and truly delicious fortified and functional foods that could be enjoyed by everyone. They started with pasta, naturally! Using fresh, high-quality ingredients and an original artisanal Italian pasta machine, skinnypasta™ was created, allowing people to Love Pasta Again™. Today, Gabriella's Kitchen offers three lines of fresh and frozen, artisan-style pastas: skinnypasta™ Gluten-Free, skinnypasta™ High Protein and skinnypasta™ Superfood.
For more information, including where to purchase Gabriella's Kitchen products, visit www.lovepastaagain.com
SOURCE Gabriella's Kitchen
Image with caption: "Gabriella's Kitchen (CNW Group/Gabriella's Kitchen)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150506_C4923_PHOTO_EN_16276.jpg
Wendy Lockhart, [email protected], 647-385-3107
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