Dawn Professional Gives Back to Restaurants in Need With Launch of the 'Make Your Restaurant Shine' Contest

CINCINNATI, Feb. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Dawn Professional, a leading provider of foodservice cleaning solutions, today announces the launch of the "Make Your Restaurant Shine" contest, awarding one U.S. restaurant $20,000 toward business improvements and a one-on-one expert consultation with restaurateur and "Top Chef" star Chef Spike Mendelsohn.  The award can be used to update kitchen equipment, make cosmetic improvements or implement other business-driving investments that may have been put off during the down economy.  Restaurants owners can apply online now through April 12, 2010 at www.DawnCelebrations.com.

"Last year, restaurant industry traffic experienced the sharpest decline since 1981, so we understand what our customers are going through," says Eric Hetrick, Director, P&G Professional.  "We've been a trusted part of the restaurant industry for decades and saw an opportunity to give back to this community by helping restaurants emerge from the recession stronger than ever.  The program is a direct extension of our commitment to providing trusted products and resources that help restaurants succeed."

Dawn Professional partnered with "Top Chef" star Chef Spike Mendelsohn on the launch of this program because, as an experienced restaurateur, he understands the importance of all ingredients in running a successful business – including everything from food and staff to presentation and cleanliness.  In fact, having started in his family's restaurant business as a dishwasher, he especially values using trusted, powerful products that can make a big difference in the kitchen.  

"I've been using Dawn Professional in my restaurant, The Good Stuff Eatery in D.C., for years," says Chef Mendelsohn.  "As I get ready to open my second restaurant, I am again going through the process of vetting and securing only the best partners and resources. I'm looking forward to working with the brand to share the expertise I've gained with restaurateurs looking to establish themselves, build a reputation for their food and grow their business."

The winner of the "Make Your Restaurant Shine" contest receives:

• A $20,000 check toward restaurant improvements
• A one-on-one consultation with Chef Spike Mendelsohn at the winner's restaurant to provide recommendations on how to use the prize and to share best practices on running a successful business today
• A paid trip for 4 adults to the 2010 National Restaurant Association show in Chicago, where the winner can attend educational seminars and partner with industry peers

The "Make Your Restaurant Shine" contest is now open online at www.DawnCelebrations.com.  U.S. restaurant owners can apply today through April 12, 2010 by filling out a simple form on the Dawn Web site.  The program complements Dawn Professional's current brand campaign, "Twice the Power, Twice the Smarts," which was developed to communicate the importance of performance and value of Dawn Professional so restaurant owners can focus on creating memorable customer experiences.  For more information and full rules, visit www.DawnCelebrations.com today.

The Dawn Professional line provides comprehensive kitchen cleaning solutions to restaurants around the country.  Its concentrated formula uses the most advanced grease cutting technology to wash up to twice the number of dishes than similar products.  More information is available at www.DawnCelebrations.com or www.pgpro.com.

About P&G Professional

Procter & Gamble Professional® is the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, serving the foodservice, building cleaning and maintenance, hospitality and convenience stores industries. P&G Professional offers complete solutions utilizing its parent company's scale, trusted brands and strengths in market and consumer understanding. P&G Professional features such brands as Tide®, Dawn®, Mr. Clean®, Febreze®, Swiffer®, and its own brand, P&G Pro Line®. Please visit www.pgpro.com for the latest information about P&G Professional's solutions.

About Chef Spike Mendelsohn

Chef Spike Mendelsohn owns and operates Good Stuff Eatery in Washington D.C. and is currently working on a number of new projects, including opening a second restaurant concept. Recently, he was a contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef."  Chef Mendelsohn contends, "Becoming a 'Top Chef' cannot be accomplished on a reality show, because it takes a lifetime..."

Upon graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 2005, Chef Mendelsohn received the highest award, The Francis Roth Leadership Award, and later secured a position with Chef Gerard Boyer at the famous Restaurant Les Crayeres in Reims, France. More recently, he landed a job working for Thomas Keller at Bouchon Restaurant in Napa Valley.

Currently in the kitchen at Good Stuff Eatery, Chef Mendelsohn also participates in cooking demonstrations and speaking engagements around the country and can be seen on the "Top Chef" Tour Bus. He also participates in special events, most recently with The White House as well as with the culinary iconoclast Paul Liebrandt at the James Beard Foundation.

About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®.

The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble Professional