California Baker Named a Top 10 Finalist in
"Bundts Across America" Recipe Contest

MINNEAPOLIS (October 17, 2006) - For months, bakers across America have toiled in their kitchens amidst mountains of sugar and flour in hopes of creating the recipe for the perfect Bundt cake. Today, Margo Murdock Murphy from Stockton, CA found that her time and creativity paid off as Nordic Ware - maker of the iconic Bundt pan -named her as one of 10 national finalists in the "Bundts Across America" contest. Murphy's recipe, for Flavors Di "Vine," a chocolate cabernet sauvignon wine cake, was judged superior in the areas of taste, texture, visual appearance, ease of preparation, creativity and originality.

Margo Murdock was first selected by Nordic Ware as a state finalist in early October. As a newly named national finalist, Murphy's Bundt recipe moved on to the final round of judging with the chance of becoming the Grand Prize winner to be announced live on The Martha Stewart Show (10 a.m. EST) on Nov. 15, -- also named National Bundt Day by Nordic Ware in order to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary.

Murphy' s recipe includes Cabernet Sauvignon Wine as the featured ingredient. She used Nordic Ware's Fleur de lis Bundt™ Pan to create the recipe's unique shape (suggested retail price is $32). Murphy believes her cake represents California because "California grapes produce about 90% of American wines. The black cherry and vanilla flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon Wine compliment numerous entrees and desserts. The Fleur de lis Bundt Pan symbolizes the 'French Paradox,' a medical study connecting red wine consumption and the reduction of heart disease and certain cancers."

The "Bundts Across America" contest, celebrating the company's 60thanniversary, kicked off in May when Nordic Ware challenged bakers across the nation to put their best Bundt forward and submit original recipes for creative looking and great-tasting Bundts. Innovative interpretations on the traditional cake came in from Massachusetts to Hawaii and nearly every state in-between. Charged with baking a Bundt that best represented their individual state, entrants put local ingredients and themes to good use.

The Bundt cake recipes submitted for the contest came in a variety of shapes and sizes. While many participants chose to use the classic Bundt pan that many consumers are familiar with, the depth and variety of the Bundt line, which includes nearly 40 shapes, was well represented with recipes using shapes including the Star, Rose and Sunflower Bundts. Even mini-Bundts made their pint-sized presence known in several of the recipes. Fittingly, several entrants chose to bake their entries in the Nordic Ware's limited edition Anniversary Bundt Pan (suggested retail price is $35). This pan with its limited edition silver finish and 60th anniversary emblem will no longer be available after April 2007. Nordic Ware will continue to make Anniversary Pans in the standard cast aluminum finish.

Each of the 10 finalists will receive a $500 gift certificate for Nordic Ware products and move on to the final grand prize phase of the contest judged by a panel of baking experts including including Betsy Wray, editor of Cooking Pleasures magazine, Barb Strand, author and professional food consultant, Dorothy Dalquist, co-founder of Nordic Ware, creators of the Bundt pan and the editor of numerous Bundt recipe books and her son, David Dalquist, president of Nordic Ware.

The "Bundts Across America" Grand Prize winner announced on November 15 will receive a family reunion party for up to 50 people, in the winner's hometown, including an assortment of Bundt cakes for dessert. The winner's kitchen will be outfitted with $1,000 worth of Nordic Ware products of his or her choosing. In addition, he or she will receive a trip to New York City to be an audience member during The Martha Stewart Show announcing their winning recipe.

"Celebrating 60 years of American Made Traditions" 2006 marks the 60th Anniversary of Nordic Ware. The Nordic Ware family has prided itself in providing long-lasting quality products, which will be handed down through generations. Their business is firmly rooted in the trust, dedication and talent of their employees, a commitment to producing quality American-made products, a desire to provide excellence in service to their customers and their never-ending search for innovative new kitchenware products.

You can also visit http://www.nordicware.com/anniversary/contest for a full list of winners and recipes.

REPORTER'S NOTE: For interviews with Stockton, CA resident, Margo Murdock Murphy or full versions of their winning recipe contact Brianna Gallett or Brian Flynn at 651/228-9141. Recipes also available online at http://www.nordicware.com/anniversary/contest/

For more information about Nordic Ware's 60th anniversary or "Bundts Across America" contest and its finalists, please contact Brianna Gallett at 651/228-9141 or
brianna@kohnstamm.com