PLANO, Texas, Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time to forgo the notion that only professionally trained chefs using gourmet ingredients and difficult techniques can produce master culinary creations. Stacy's^® Snacks has partnered with Hugh Acheson, James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, author and restaurateur, to create top chef-worthy snacks without the intimidation. Snacking is more commonly replacing meals for Americans with busy schedules, so Stacy's is inspiring people to create gourmet snacks that use fresh ingredients from your kitchen, without a major time commitment. 

"Stacy's Pita Chips are a pantry staple, but people don't realize they can also be a great culinary inspiration," said Acheson. "We're breaking from convention to show how a snack can be gourmet and regionally inspired, while also being simple to prepare and free from elaborate instructions or hard-to-find ingredients. No matter your cooking acumen or how short you are on time, with Stacy's, you'll have a delicious result every time."

Stacy's, a supporting sponsor of Taste America, and Chef Acheson are making sure anyone can create delicious snack recipes from a list of ingredients you can count on one hand. A recent survey from Stacy's¹ found that nearly two-thirds of women (64 percent) say a recipe must have fewer than five ingredients or they're hesitant to make it. That is why each recipe, inspired by the 10 cities on the James Beard Foundation's 2016 Taste America tour, features easy-to-use, interesting ingredients Americans can find at home or at a local grocery store.

The Stacy's survey found more than 50 percent of women prefer to make snacks that require little or no prep-time using ingredients they already have in their kitchen or pantry¹. Stacy's will now help women nationwide do just that with easy-to-make recipes that will be unveiled during the national tour, providing a first-hand, no-stress gourmet experience.

"We know that our consumers are pressed for time, but still want to create delicious snacks that feel like a culinary adventure. Stacy's is demonstrating how they can have both by being the ideal snack pairing for the ingredients already found in their kitchen," said Katie Ceclan, senior director of marketing, Stacy's Snacks. "We are proud to partner with Chef Acheson, who created an artful collection of fuss-free snacks featuring Stacy's."

For the 2016 Taste America tour, Chef Acheson created a New York City white pizza-inspired snack using ricotta, fresh thyme and arugula to pay homage to one of the best food destinations in the world. Served atop Stacy's^® Simply Naked^® Pita Chips, Acheson's NYC-Style Pita Chips with Herbed Ricotta and Arugula are made with simple ingredients that can be easily found at most supermarkets. Additional recipes can be found at StacysSnacks.com – all have simple instructions to help any home cook impress, not stress.

"We believe in fostering a delicious dialogue about America's culinary landscape," said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. "Chef Acheson's one-of-a-kind creations using Stacy's Snacks embrace the culture and flair of each region of the country, while inspiring Americans of all cooking skill levels to find culinary success."

About the "Taste America" Tour

Premium tastings from the kitchens of Chef Acheson and several top regional chefs will be available at all Taste America tour stops. Details of the dates, locations and chefs participating in James Beard Foundation's Taste America are: 

• Sept. 23-24
  • Los Angeles: All-Star Scott Conant* with Local Star chef Curtis Stone
  • Phoenix: All-Star Amanda Freitag* with Local Star chef Christopher Gross*
• Sept. 30-Oct. 1
  • Kansas City: All-Star Gavin Kaysen* with Local Star chef Colby Garrelts*
  • New Orleans: All-Star Alex Guarnaschelli* with Local Star chef Justin Devillier*
• Oct. 14-15
  • Chicago: All-Star Missy Robbins*** with Local Star chef Jimmy Bannos, Jr.*
• Oct. 21-22
  • Portland, OR: All-Star Stephanie Izard* with Local Star chef Greg Higgins*
• Oct. 28-29
  • Twin Cities: All-Star Jose Garces* with Local Star chef Thomas Boemer***
  • Boston: All-Star John Besh* with Local Star chef Ana Sortun*
• Nov. 4-5
  • Charleston: All-Star Dan Barber* with Local Star chef Sean Brock*
  • San Francisco: All-Star Anita Lo** with Local Star chef Charles Phan*

Designations are as follows:
*James Beard Award Winner
**James Beard Award Nominee
***James Beard Award Semifinalist

About Stacy's Snacks
Stacy's Snacks is one of the many brands that makes up Frito-Lay North America, the $13 billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. In addition to Frito-Lay, PepsiCo business units include Pepsi-Cola, Quaker Foods, Gatorade and Tropicana. Learn more about the Stacy's brand online: www.stacyssnacks.com and www.facebook.com/stacyspitachips.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

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¹ The survey was conducted online August 1-3, 2016 among 1,046 adult American by The Futures Company on behalf of Stacy's Snacks.

Media Contact
Kimberly Scott
(972) 334-5098
Kimberly.Scott@pepsico.com

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SOURCE Stacy’s Snacks

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