SEATTLE, May 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee today announced the grand-prize winner of its recent "Write a Poem, Go to Rome" trip give-away contest. Michael Callahan, of Dallas, Texas wrote the winning verse of romance, and will receive two roundtrip airline tickets to Rome, as well as a cash allowance toward six-nights' accommodations. The grand-prize package is valued at more than $2,000.
Participants in the contest were invited to write an original poem, in 100 words or less, recounting a remarkable occasion in their lives during which they enjoyed Torrefazione Italia Coffee. Poems were judged on their originality, richness of content, novelty, style, uniqueness of event, and relevance to contest theme. Approximately 600 entries were received from across the country during the contest period, which ran from early February through March 30, 2003. Judges included Jean Godden, Seattle Times columnist, Mario Gelmini, Torrefazione Italia Director of Operations and the Torrefazione Italia marketing team.
Michael's Poem I awake with the idea of you And it brings a smile to my face. I thought the world was devoid of such beauty, But I found you sitting at my favorite place. The warm sun danced around you, Presenting your angelic face. Time seemed to have stopped And I lost myself in your gaze. I never thought I'd be one to surrender To loves passionate embrace. But I found you sitting there At that charming cafe. The one that stands on the corner So close to my home. The one where love is welcomed The charming cafe, Torrefazione.
About Torrefazione Italia Coffee
Torrefazione Italia Coffee cafes are distinguished by the artisan approach to fine coffee through their roasting, blending, preparation and service methods, all of which bring to life the elegant ambience of the Italian cafe. Each cafe offers freshly prepared panini sandwiches, pastries, classic Italian espresso drinks and gelato. There are 21 Torrefazione Italia Coffee cafes in cities throughout North America including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Palo Alto, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C. and Victoria, B.C. With its unique roasting style, mirroring the roasting preferences of the various regions of Italy, Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee has established itself as an ultra premium name in specialty coffee. Torrefazione Italia Coffee's products are served in a collection of fine restaurants, resorts, hotels and gourmet grocers including the Culinary Institute Association and Domaine Chandon in the Napa Valley region. Torrefazione Italia Coffee is the "Official Coffee" of the San Francisco Opera and the Seattle Repertory Theatre due to the company's classic coffees and strong support of the arts.
About Seattle Coffee Company
Founded in 1970, Seattle Coffee Company, a subsidiary of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCEE), franchises and operates 196 Seattle's Best Coffee(r) (www.seattlesbest.com) and 21 Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee (www.titalia.com) cafes in eight countries. The company has more than 12,000 wholesale points of distribution, including grocery stores, restaurants, foodservice locations, airlines and hotels. The company supports TransFair USA, a non-profit monitoring agency, by offering Fair Trade Certified(tm) coffee. Seattle's Best Coffee(r) also offers organic coffee certified by the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA(r)). The OCIA is an international program of certification to strict organic standards. It is the world's largest organic certification agency and has been accredited by the USDA. OCIA is a respected voice in the international organic community.
About AFC Enterprises
AFC Enterprises, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of 4,071 restaurants, bakeries and cafes in the United States, Puerto Rico and 33 foreign countries under the brand names Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, Church's Chicken(tm), Cinnabon(r), Seattle's Best Coffee(r) and Torrefazione Italia(r) Coffee. AFC's primary objective is to be the world's Franchisor of Choice(r) by offering investment opportunities in highly recognizable brands and exceptional franchisee support systems and services. AFC Enterprises had system-wide sales of approximately $2.7 billion in 2002 and can be found on the World Wide Web at www.afce.com.
-- Fair Trade Certified(r) is a pending trademark of TransFair USA
-- OCIA(r) is a registered trademark of the Organic Crop Improvement
Association.