Kmart Gets Cooking With Chef Gordon Ramsay on Exclusive Branded Kitchen Collection

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kmart announced today that it will be the exclusive retailer for the new Gordon Ramsay Everyday kitchen collection. Gordon Ramsay—one of the world's most famous Michelin-starred chefs—has parlayed a fiery, mediagenic personality and culinary prowess into fame as a TV star, entrepreneur and successful restaurateur. The exclusive collection Gordon Ramsay Everyday will make its debut in Kmart stores in fall 2011. The line will include cookware, dinnerware, cooking utensils and small kitchen appliances.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Gordon Ramsay on the Everyday line, allowing us to offer Kmart customers kitchen products made to his exacting standards as a professional chef," said John Goodman, executive vice president of Apparel and Home for Sears Holdings. "Anyone who has watched Gordon in action knows that he'll accept nothing less than the best—which is exactly the caliber of home products we want to offer our customers, along with compelling value. The addition of quality cookware to our overall portfolio of trusted brands marks an unprecedented step at Kmart in combining true culinary expertise with accessibility in this category."

Ramsay, who first made a name for himself in the U.S. on the culinary competition "Hell's Kitchen" and as the "MasterChef" judge with a take-no-prisoners style of critique, chose to collaborate with Kmart to help at-home cooks acquire the right tools to make a home-cooked meal. In today's economy, more people are eating at home and are experimenting with new dishes and techniques, and Gordon wants to share his firsthand expertise in the kitchen with Kmart customers.

"Cooking is my passion," said Ramsay. "It's great to be able to provide quality products to everyone, from the novice to the advanced. Many of my fans have been seeking advice for some time on how to help transform their home cooking into more of a fine-dining experience. By developing this collection, I can make the right tools available to them—and, in working with Kmart, I can guarantee each product is being offered at an accessible price."

About Gordon Ramsay

Ramsay, though born in Scotland, was raised in England, where he earned a university degree in hotel management. His first wholly owned restaurant, Gordon Ramsay, established in London in 1998, was awarded three Michelin stars within three years of its launch. Since then, Ramsay and his team launched some of London's most high-profile restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, Petrus and the Savoy Grill, and more recently maze and maze Grill, Plane Food at Heathrow T5, York & Albany and the Narrow in Limehouse. In 2003 Gordon launched his first international restaurant, Verre, located in the Dubai Hilton Creek Hotel. Gordon Ramsay Holdings is now involved in a number of restaurants across the globe including in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Dublin, Doha, Paris, Tuscany, Sardinia and Melbourne. Gordon has also become a star of the small screen both in the U.K. and internationally with shows such as "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares," "The F Word" and "Hell's Kitchen USA." 2010 saw the broadcast of three new television programs; "MasterChef" in America and "Ramsay's Best Restaurants" and "Christmas with Gordon" in the U.K. Gordon has also published a number of hugely successful books including his autobiography, Humble Pie, which became a bestseller. His most recent recipe books, Ramsay's Best Menus and Christmas with Gordon, were published by Quadrille in September and November 2010 respectively.

About Kmart

Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that includes Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living, Route 66 and Smart Sense. For more information visit the company's website at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Sensio Inc.

Sensio Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty kitchen appliances designed with the most advanced features and professional quality. The company has developed, manufactured, distributed and marketed small kitchen appliances and consumer products for more than six years. Sensio's brand BELLA is a leader in the home entertainment and novelty appliance categories. In addition, by partnering with world-renowned brands such as the celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Sensio will offer newer and innovative products for the home including its new single-serve platform.

SOURCE Kmart