Lifeway Foods Teams with Chef Seamus Mullen at Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Oct. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir cultured dairy products, today announced a partnership with award-winning New York chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Seamus Mullen that will debut with a collaboration at this week's four-day Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (NYCWFF). The partnership grew out a fortuitous meeting when Mullen and Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky shared stage time during Lifeway YogaFest at Gurney's Montauk this past summer. Their shared interest in promoting healthy eating as a path to wellness, exemplified by Mullen's own discovery of the role of nutrition in controlling his rheumatoid arthritis as chronicled in his cookbook Hero Food, led to their decision to combine efforts for greater impact.

Mullen will represent Lifeway at NYCWFF's Greenmarket Brunch presented by Lifeway Foods hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian, part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines, on Saturday, October 17, by serving a savory gluten-free muffin and spread that he created with ingredients including Lifeway Plain Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese, respectively. Lifeway is the presenting sponsor of the Greenmarket Brunch event, which will feature a walk-around tasting of farm-to-table brunch foods from top New York chefs and the local farmers whose ingredients inspire them.

In the coming months, the Lifeway-Mullen partnership will expand to include collaborative events, recipes and blog posts on cooking and nutrition. The relationship will showcase both Lifeway's products and Mullen's talents. He is a three-time finalist for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef NYC award, a "Chef of the Year" honoree by Time Out New York, a featured judge on the Food Network's "Chopped" and "Beat Bobby Flay" series, and founding chef of Tertulia and El Colmado restaurants in New York as well as Sea Containers at Mondrian London.

"Most people know that food can be powerful medicine, but they don't know how to prepare healthy food that also tastes good. It all comes down to the right ingredients," Mullen said.  "Lifeway's kefir products definitely qualify while also offering versatility and a variety of flavor profiles for creating a wide range of new recipes."

"Seamus has learned firsthand about the importance of eating right, and he is spreading the word through his cookbook, his restaurants, speaking engagements, and collaborations like ours," said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods.  "It's a perfect match and the New York City Wine & Food Festival is an ideal place to introduce it to the world." 

Lifeway is a silver sponsor and long time partner of NYCWFF, which donates 100% of the net proceeds to the Food Bank for New York City and No Kid Hungry. Heading into its eighth year, NYCWFF has raised more than $8.5 million to fight hunger by bringing together the world's greatest chefs, winemakers, spirits producers and personalities.

The company will be serving Lifeway Frozen Kefir Bars from multiple push carts at the festival's Blue Moon Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray; two varieties of cookie sandwiches filled with either Lifeway Mango or Lifeway Original Frozen Kefir at the Stacked: Sandwiches and Sides hosted by Tiffani Thiessen, part of LOCAL presented by Delta Air Lines; kefir/pomegranate/rosemary starters at the festival's Best Blood Mary Brunch presented by Velocity hosted by the Cast of Chopped; and Veggie Beet Kefir Shooters topped with farmer's cheese and dill at the Veg Out: Stretch Sip and Savor presented by Hungryroot hosted by Haylie Duff health and wellness event, where Lifeway will also be supplying yoga mats and healthy lifestyle giveaways.

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY), recently named one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces frozen kefir, specialty cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy cultured dairy products are now sold across the United States, Canada, Latin America and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at Lifewaykefir.com. 

Connect with Lifeway Foods on Facebook:  Facebook.com/lifewaykefir 
Follow Lifeway Foods on Twitter: Twitter.com/lifeway_kefir 
Watch clips on YouTube:  Youtube.com/user/lifewaykefir 

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, competitive pressures and other important factors detailed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:
Abby Zelikow
847.415.9334
[email protected]

Company Contact:
Derek Miller
877.281.3874
[email protected]

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SOURCE Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Related Links

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