Bob Evans® Caters to Busy Holiday Schedules

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The holidays can often feel like a marathon of parties and preparation.  Whether it's family gatherings, hosting close friends for an intimate party, or providing for an office potluck, Bob Evans has the hot tip for families who are feeling the pressure of the holiday season.  Starting today, the Bob Evans Farmhouse Feast will be available to order as a simple solution to any hectic holiday schedule.

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The Farmhouse Feast, which serves up to eight, comes complete with your choice of a slow-roasted whole boneless turkey breast or sliced boneless ham, bread and celery dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered sweet corn, green beans with ham, cranberry relish, rolls, a loaf of pumpkin bread and a pumpkin pie with whipped topping all for less than $10 per person.  The Farmhouse Feast allows families to enjoy a wholesome, delicious holiday feast without all the worry, time consuming preparation or heavy duty post-meal clean-up.

"The hours that go into ingredient shopping, thawing, prepping, cooking, decorating and presentation are overwhelming. And that's just before the meal," said Bob Evans Culinary Development Chef Brad Ransier. "We want families to know that we're here to help when it comes to the cooking!"

The team at Bob Evans knows that there is more to the holiday than just the cooking. Thanks to the Farmhouse Feast, hosts can focus their energy on perfecting festive decor.  An attractive table setting speaks volumes about a feast before the food even reaches the table.

Feast your eyes on Chef Brad's top five tips for hosting a successful seasonal soiree:

1. Candles can be a warm and welcoming accent to your dinner table, but avoid the scented variety near food.  A holiday meal naturally provides a number of delicious aromas for the kitchen and dining room.  Save your nutmeg, pumpkin or apple-scented candles for your home's entryway or family room to add that extra touch of seasonal fragrance elsewhere.
2. Give your guests at least 18 inches of elbow space at the table and plenty of space to get in and out their seats without disrupting their neighbors.
3. Make sure your decorations appropriately complement the number one focus of a Thanksgiving Feast: togetherness.  Centerpieces should not exceed 6-8 inches high (just below average above-table eye level) and decor should not be so excessive that it takes away from the concept of the meal.  Simplicity can be beautiful.
4. Try using a larger platter for your Bob Evans slow roasted turkey and surrounding the bird with your cranberry relish and other vibrant veggies.  This adds color to the plate, acting as a natural accent, and leaves you with fewer dishes to clean after the meal.
5. Expecting more guests than you have matching dinnerware? No need to run out and buy a whole new set. Mixing and matching can be a tactical design element.  Just be sure to place no like two side-by-side and your motley arrangement becomes unique and appealing.

Guests can order the feast at any Bob Evans Restaurant or www.bobevans.com and schedule their own pick-up date. The meals are fresh and made-to-order, but quantities are limited, so ordering early is highly recommended. Bob Evans Restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day and close early on Christmas Eve.

The Bob Evans Farmhouse Feast is $74.99 and serves six to eight people. For larger families, additional servings of turkey or ham, bread, savory sides and desserts may be added a la carte. The Farmhouse Feast is available throughout November and December for all holiday entertaining.

For more information about Bob Evans Farmhouse Feast and other Taste of the Farm™ Carry Out options, visit www.bobevans.com. For daily updates on Bob Evans deals and promotions, follow Bob Evans at http://www.facebook.com/bobevans or @BobEvansFarms on Twitter.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans and Mimi's Cafe brand names. At the end of the first fiscal quarter (July 30, 2010), Bob Evans owned and operated 569 family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States, while Mimi's Cafe owned and operated 145 casual restaurants located in 24 states, primarily in California and other western states. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is also a leading producer and distributor of pork sausage and a variety of complementary homestyle convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names.  For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit the company's Web site at www.bobevans.com.

SOURCE Bob Evans