Harry & David Cooks Up a Seasonal Chef Program With Top Culinary Experts

MEDFORD, OR--(Marketwire - Oct 11, 2012) - Today, Harry & David, America's iconic gourmet gifting curators, announces its partnership with chefs Elizabeth Falkner, Eric Greenspan and Jenn Louis, who will create seasonally-inspired recipes featuring Harry & David's quality produce in its Fruit of the Month Club. From October to December, each chef will showcase their unique interpretation of the Harry & David Fruit of the Month, creating three delectable recipes consumers can create at home. Foodies nationwide will have access to the exclusive recipes by visiting Harry & David's Facebook page Facebook.com/HarryandDavid.

The Fruit of the Month Club is perfect for those who would like delicious and wholesome premium fruit, picked at their peak, cooled and shipped once they're harvested each month. The Fruit of the Month Club offers mouthwatering Royal Riviera^® Pears in October, juicy Honeycrisp Apples in November and December brings back the Royal Riviera^® Pears. The pears, which require special climate and soil found in only a few places in the world, are hand picked carefully from the branch, delivered to cooling facilities each day of harvest to ensure they are ripened to perfection, and then delivered to homes across the country. The apples are sweet and firm, with rich flavor ideal for baking recipes.

In October, esteemed chef Elizabeth Falkner will create recipes using the famous Royal Riviera® Pears. Falkner is a seasoned veteran in the world of network culinary competitions and author of Cooking Off the Clock: Recipes From My Downtime, published just last month by Ten Speed Press. She will be opening a new Brooklyn pizzeria named Krescendo later this fall and will be returning for redemption to Food Network's The Next Iron Chef premiering November 2012.

In November, distinguished chef Eric Greenspan, known for his sophistication and sense of humor in both preparation and presentation, will create recipes using Harry & David's famed Honeycrisp Apple. Greenspan is Chef / Owner of The Foundry on Melrose in L.A., which was named Best New Restaurant by Conde Nast Traveler in 2007. His portfolio of ventures also includes The Roof on Wilshire and the upcoming Greenspan's Grilled Cheese. Greenspan notably defeated Bobby Flay on Food Network's Iron Chef America in 2010 and will return to primetime battling alongside Chef Falkner on season five of The Next Iron Chef.

In December, chef Jenn Louis will be the final celebrated chef to create recipes with Harry & David's fan-favorite Royal Riviera^® Pears. Louis was selected as one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in 2012 due to her dedication to each ingredient on her menus. Louis is co-owner of the popular restaurants Lincoln Restaurant in North Portland and Sunshine Tavern in Southeast Portland. Her self-proclaimed food philosophy is "keep it consistent, simple and purposeful."

"We are thrilled to be working with such high caliber chefs," said Craig Johnson, CEO of Harry & David. "Each has their own unique style and experience in the culinary world, which will further elevate Harry & David's signature fruits by offering delicious, innovative, yet easy recipes for our customers to enjoy."

Harry & David is America's largest multi-channel marketer of gourmet premium fruit gifts, fine chocolates, baked goods, confections and home décor accessories. For the latest deals and specials from Harry & David, join our Facebook fan page, Facebook.com/HarryandDavid or visit www.harryanddavid.com.

About Harry & David
With close to an 80-year reputation for genuine farm-to-table freshness and unsurpassed artisanal quality, Harry & David is legendary for exclusive gifts such as the Fruit-of-the-Month Club® collection, featuring premium fruit, pampered on the tree, picked at its peak; Royal Riviera® Pears, prized for their lush juiciness, melting texture and exquisite flavor, many of which are grown in Harry & David's Rogue Valley, Oregon pear orchards which are at the heart of the company's success; Oregold® Peaches, the biggest, juiciest, sweetest-tasting peaches you're likely to taste; and Moose Munch® gourmet snacks, most of which are made exclusively in our own confectionery, in flavors for everyone -- some with nuts. Gifts from Harry & David, and its brands Cushman's and Wolferman's, are designed for festive occasions, entertaining and self enjoyment throughout the year. Through its stores, catalogs and website, Harry & David offers an affordable "best-of-class" experience as part of everyday life. Harry & David is a dba of Harry and David, LLC. http://www.harryanddavid.com