INDIA BROOK PARTNERS: SEEKING FROZEN FOOD COMPANIES, SPECIALIZING IN APPETIZERS AND ETHNIC FOODS

COMPANY CONTACT:

Katrina Hegener, Director of Marketing, India Brook Partners, L.L.C. (212) 994-3035 - tarplin@indiabrook.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIA BROOK PARTNERS: SEEKING FROZEN FOOD COMPANIES, SPECIALIZING IN APPETIZERS AND ETHNIC FOODS

New York, NY, June 10, 2003– India Brook Partners, L.L.C. announced that it had launched a nationwide acquisition search on behalf of several clients for profitable small and mid-sized companies producing frozen appetizers and frozen ethnic specialty foods, as well as mainstream frozen entrees. Jeff Tarplin, a Managing Director and CEO of India Brook, said “On behalf of several clients, we are in an active search for profitable companies in ethnic foods and appetizers, with a minimum of $10 million in revenues and strong operating income.”

India Brook said that it is cooperating with other financial advisors and industry professionals in this search. Mr. Tarplin confirmed that the firm was interested in working with management groups, other investment banking firms and intermediaries to build deal flow and obtain quicker access to qualified acquisition candidates. “Our preferred candidates will have at least one recognized brand, strong management, good margins and would be in a position to benefit from the broader distribution and lower cost structure that our client could provide, ” he said.

Richard Danko, a Managing Director with India Brook, said: "Our clients are looking for opportunities in this segment because of the strong and growing market for take home meals ". Ethnic foods like Chinese Dim Sum, Mexican appetizers, and Spanish Tapas become complete meals for busy households. Frozen food companies are hiring experienced chefs to assist in product development, in order to develop an interesting array of products. We see this sector continuing to enjoy strong growth over the next several years.”

According to Refrigerated and Frozen Foods, a leading industry publication, snacks, appetizers and side dishes represented $15.8 billion of the total $218 billion in value added product sales in the refrigerated and frozen foods market in 2002. A recent report indicated that growth continues to be strong in both retail and food service segments.

The India Brook Food Industry Team provides specialized industry expertise and financial advisory services to both buyers and sellers of successful companies in the food industry and several other industries. All of the principals of the firm have been operating executives in their industries and bring substantial direct management experience as well as transactional M&A expertise to the firm’s clients.

In addition to the frozen food segment, Current India Brook projects in the food industry include a search for profitable companies in the food safety testing business as well as buy-side acquisition searches for several leading companies in baking and food ingredients. The firm is also representing a leading specialty chocolate company.

India Brook Partners, L.L.C. is a mergers & acquisitions advisory firm founded in 1993 by Jeffrey Tarplin, specializing in middle market companies in selected industries. Based in New York, NY the firm provides mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and strategic business development services to companies and investors. The firm and its principals have completed several hundred transactions in the public and private markets. In addition to the food industry, India Brook also has specialists in software and information technology, financial services and direct marketing/catalog retailing. In addition to offices in New York and Arizona, the firm maintains affiliate relationships with investment banking firms in San Francisco, Nashville, Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C. The firm’s website is at www.indiabrook.com.