Kentucky Legend Launches First-Ever Ham Hotline

National toll-free hotline to help cooks with Thanksgiving ham preparation

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Ham preparation this Thanksgiving will be even easier and tastier than usual as cooks across the country will for the first time have access to experts from Specialty Foods Group, manufacturer of Kentucky Legend Hams, via a new toll-free hotline launched today. Authorities at the Kentucky Legend Ham Hotline: 1-866-343-5058 will provide cooks, from kitchen rookies to meal maker veterans, with preparation suggestions and solutions, recipe tips, seasoned tricks, or even dinner disaster alternatives throughout the Thanksgiving holiday season.

"A significant portion of the country enjoys ham as part of their traditional Thanksgiving feast," said Janet Sweeney, director of marketing, for Specialty Foods Group (http://www.specialtyfoodsgroup.com/). "As the nation's leading premium ham, we felt an obligation to make our experts available to those seeking advice as they prepare one of the most important family meals of the year."

Kentucky Legend Hams have been made "with legendary taste" for more than 100 years in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Company is known for its hand stuffed, hand selected, and hand trimmed hams, that are slow cooked in their own natural juices and double smoked for the legendary taste.

"A ham hotline is a terrific resource for Thanksgiving meal preparation," said Diane Morgan, author of The New Thanksgiving Table (http://www.dianemorgancooks.com). "Traveling to teach Thanksgiving cooking classes across the country helps me understand how many hams take center stage along with roast turkey, and makes me appreciate all the regional recipes and creative ways hams are prepared." The award-winning cookbook author and culinary instructor has been involved with the world of food for over 25 years.

While food hotlines are not new, this is a first for hams. "During the holidays we receive numerous calls from consumers curious about how to cook and serve our hams," explained Sweeney. "This year we decided to establish a dedicated number to make it easier for consumers to get their questions answered."

Kentucky Legend ham experts will be available at the Kentucky Legend Ham Hotline: 1-866-343-5058 during the following dates and times:

                 Nov. 9th -Nov. 25th (Mon.-Fri.) 9 am - 7 pm ET
                 Nov. 26th (Thanksgiving Day) 9 am - 6 pm ET
                 Nov. 27th (Day After Thanksgiving) 9 am - 7 pm ET

Kentucky Legend Hams are produced by Specialty Foods Group. Specialty Foods Group, Inc (SFG) is a leading U.S. producer and marketer of a wide variety of premium branded and private-label processed meat products. SFG products are available through a wide-range of outlets including national and regional supermarkets, independent food retailers, delicatessens, club stores, convenience stores and foodservice distributors.

    CONTACT: Janet Sweeney
             Specialty Foods Group
             708-236-0010

SOURCE Specialty Foods Group