ADDISON, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/19/07 -- Whatever the occasion -- the first dinner with in-laws, an upscale party for friends or a romantic dinner with their husbands -- cooking and entertaining can leave some new brides with "cold feet." In a recent survey(1), one out of every two brides and brides-to-be feels more pressure to cook and entertain compared to when they were single. And yet for many, the first years of marriage are likely to be the first time they entertain.

Brides can alleviate entertaining anxiety early on by registering for the best cookware, kitchen tools and serving pieces to create everything from simple dishes for everyday entertaining to more elaborate meals for special occasions. With The Pampered Chef Wedding Registry, brides-to-be can choose from hundreds of multi-functional pieces. And, unlike other registries that leave overwhelmed brides to fend for themselves, The Pampered Chef makes it a breeze to register by offering each bride a Well-Stocked Kitchen List of must-have items newlyweds need during their first years of marriage.

Expert Advice

Debi Lilly, founder of A Perfect Event in Chicago, Ill., knows first-hand about entertaining anxieties and the solutions to tackle them. In addition to overseeing hundreds of entertaining occasions a year, Lilly is Oprah Winfrey's party planner and go-to for all things entertaining. Her signature entertaining style -- self-described as simple, elegant and seamless -- can be easy for new brides to achieve, but only with the right resources she says.

"Entertaining is supposed to be fun, but it's hard to have a good time if you're not well-prepared," says Lilly. "I tell brides to consider their entertaining and cooking needs before they register and to choose pieces that they can use for a variety of uses and occasions. That's why I really like The Pampered Chef. They offer innovative products and elegant entertaining pieces to put any hostess at ease."

Bridal Expectations

In addition to revealing that more than half of brides and brides-to-be (52 percent) feel more pressure to cook and entertain, compared to when they were single, The Pampered Chef Bridal Survey also revealed:

-- When it comes to cooking and entertaining, 35 percent of the women surveyed said they would prefer not to cook – they’d rather prepare a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup and call it dinner.

-- The majority of brides (60 percent) entertain or host parties fewer than 3 times per year. Only 5 percent entertain more than once a month.

-- Brides and brides-to-be said they’d cook and entertain more often if they had: a “dream” kitchen (57 percent), more time (47 percent), better cookware and kitchen tools (32 percent) or more confidence in their entertaining and cooking skills (30 percent).

Register to be Pampered

It's easy to register with The Pampered Chef -- just visit www.pamperedchef.com and check out the Wedding Registry page. Registrants can register on the spot or choose to work with a Consultant, and they can notify friends and family with complimentary registry announcement cards and e-mails. The online registry provides unlimited access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Brides can choose from hundreds of items to add to their registry, including those from The Pampered Chef's Well-Stocked Kitchen List, a comprehensive collection of high quality kitchen products that you simply won't find anywhere else and you simply can't do without. The comprehensive list includes everything from cookware to stoneware, cutlery to cookbooks, timeless serving dishes to time-saving tools that newlyweds need to be ready for any entertaining occasion.

Pampered Chef registrants can enjoy valuable Registry Rewards that no other retailer offers, including:

-- Up to $200 in Free Products: Registrants can receive free products valued at up to $200 based on total purchases made from their online registry. Rewards can continue to accumulate from online registry purchases made up to three months after the event.

-- Additional Discounts: In addition to free products, registrants can also enjoy up to four half-price products and up to 30% off any other product they purchase at the time they redeem their rewards. Shipping is complimentary for all rewards products redeemed or purchased.

-- 10% OFF Purchases for a Year: Registrants can receive 10% off any product for a full year.

Enter "The Ultimate Well-Stocked Kitchen" Sweepstakes

This spring, three lucky brides-to-be will win the Well-Stocked Kitchen List's collection of products, valued at $3,600. Beginning March 15, 2007 through June 30, 2007, brides-to-be who visit www.pamperedchef.com/sweepstakes can enter for the chance to outfit their entire kitchen through the Ultimate Well-Stocked Kitchen Sweepstakes. One winner will be chosen each month.

Entertain With Ease

While the right cookware and kitchen tools are key to entertaining with ease and style, other elements go a long way to make an occasion memorable. "Entertaining goes beyond meal preparation," says Lilly. "Truly exceptional hosts know that everything from the invitations to the table to the theme make a party a hit. Unfortunately, if you don't have a lot of experience entertaining, or just don't feel comfortable doing it, those details can seem daunting."

Lilly worked with The Pampered Chef to develop its new guide, "Entertain With Ease: How to put more love and less labor into cooking and entertaining." With recipe suggestions, expert tips from Lilly, suggested tools and a party checklist, the booklet is a valuable resource for brides, brides-to-be and anyone who needs cooking and entertaining inspiration. The entertaining guide will be available for free download May 1 at www.pamperedchef.com.

About The Pampered Chef

The Pampered Chef, founded in 1980 by Doris K. Christopher and now part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, is the premier direct seller of high quality kitchen tools. At in-home cooking demonstrations, called Cooking Shows, guests see products and recipes in action, learn quick and easy food preparation techniques and receive tips on how to entertain with style and ease -- transforming the simple to the spectacular. For more information call 1-800-266-5562 or visit www.pamperedchef.com. The Pampered Chef is a registered trademark.

(1) Online omnibus survey of 1,000 brides and brides-to-be conducted by Impulse Group on behalf of The Pampered Chef; Jan. 2007

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