Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels Introduces Gluten-Free Soft Pretzel

CHICAGO, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, the company known for its premium stuffed soft pretzels, is introducing a gluten-free soft pretzel to its tasty roster.  

This gluten-free soft pretzel, two years in the baking, offers a great soft pretzel experience.  The hand-twisted product has hit some Whole Foods stores in various regions and will continue to expand into other chains throughout the spring.  Also, it can be purchased on the company's website, www.kimandscotts.com and at the company's Chicago cafe, Cafe Twist, 2218 N. Lincoln Ave.

While gluten-free diets top the charts of menu trends, gluten-free consumers are on the hunt for delicious meal alternatives.  Kim & Scott's gluten-free soft pretzel boasts a blend of 5 "ancient grains," including sorghum flour, millet flour, quinoa flour, amaranth flour and teff flour.  In addition to rice flour, these "ancient grains" offer more fiber and therefore a healthier pretzel.

"Some gluten-free products rely solely on rice flour as their alternative grain," said Scott Holstein, COO and founder of Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels.  "'Ancient grains' allow us to bake a more nutritious food, something gluten-free dieters often need and want."

Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels has proudly baked nut-free pretzels in a nut-free facility for the past 15 years.  Now not only can consumers with nut allergies enjoy the soft snack, but also those with other dietary constraints.  Kim & Scott's will showcase the gluten-free pretzel at trade show, Expo West 2011 (March 11-13, Anaheim, CA, booth no. 3789) and looks forward to its nut-free and gluten-free pretzels not only selling in frozen grocery aisles, but also ballparks.

"We're always looking to bake new flavors and not only tempt the taste buds, but also satisfy dietary restraints," said Kim Holstein, president and Chief Inspiration Officer of Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels.  "Everyone deserves to enjoy flavorful soft pretzels and with the addition of our gluten-free pretzel, the soft pretzel can be a mainstay in everyone's kitchen."  

Gluten-free and allergy conscious cuisine was included in the top 20 food trends this year, according to The National Restaurant Association's "What's Hot in 2011" survey.

Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels can be found in the frozen aisles of Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Jewel, Kroger, Super Target, Walmart and other major grocery chains. They're also sold in smoothie chains, coffee shops, movie theaters and airports around the country.  Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels was started in 1995 and is now run out of a 38,000 sq. foot Chicago bakery with annual sales projected at $10-15 million.  Fifteen years later they've transformed the pretzel from a snack to an anytime meal.  Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels deliciously touts more than 12 varieties. Each all-natural pretzel is twisted by hand and made from scratch.  The company is proud that its pretzels are made in a nut-free facility, a great source of whole grains and free from trans fats, preservatives and hydrogenated oils. 

Those who maintain a gluten-free lifestyle often have Celiac Sprue disease, disorder-related gastro-intestinal distress, or are using it for weight management.  Various outlets have stated that gluten-free celebrities include Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Keith Olberman, Victoria Beckham, Rachel Weisz, Emmy Rossum, Dayna Delaney and Meredith Vieira.  

Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels was founded in 1995 by husband and wife team Kim and Scott Holstein.  Since inception, the company has prided itself on its all natural, twisted by hand soft pretzels made in a nut-free bakery.  The pretzels can be found in the frozen grocery aisles of Jewel, Kroger, SuperTarget, and Whole Foods.  Cafe Twist™, 2218 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago opened spring 2010, the company's 15th anniversary in business.  The inspired cafe offers sandwiches, soups, salads and smoothies; and features the company's stuffed soft pretzels.  Kim & Scott's products and philanthropic efforts were highly praised in 2004 by Fortune Magazine as a company "Breaking Big" and recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the "fastest growing companies in America."  Additionally, they have been deliciously touted by USA Today, Entrepreneur, CNBC's Power Lunch, CNBC's Donny Deutsch's "Big Idea," Food Network's Dean Brothers and Food Network's Roker on the Road who even called the pretzels "the talk of the Windy City."  For the past seven years, the pretzels have been sold on QVC to an audience of more than 87 million.  In September 2009, Kim was recognized as the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year by the Women's Business Development Center of Chicago.    

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SOURCE Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels