UNCLE BEN'S' Announces 25 BEN'S BEGINNERS Cooking Contest Finalists, Celebrates Families in the Kitchen

UNCLE BEN'S Brand is thrilled to announce the finalists of the 2018 BEN'S BEGINNERS cooking contest. After receiving hundreds of entries from across the country, UNCLE BEN'S has narrowed it down to only 25 for the chance to be one of five grand prize winnerseach of the five grand prize winners will receive$15,000cash and a$30,000 cafeteria makeover for their school. Families entered by creating a rice-based dish together and submitting a photo to the contest.

The following 25 finalists were selected based on the creativity and presentation of their dish, among other criteria:

• Jenifer Allen and Megan of Ogden, Utah
• Jenifer Allen and Isaac of Ogden, Utah
• Brenda Althouse and Annie of Overland Parks, Kan.
• Paula Bendfeldt and Ariane of Cape Coral, Fla.
• Christina Caceres and Viviana of San Dimas, Calif.
• Alexandra Coyne and Owen of Harrisburg, Pa.
• Elly Craig and Teddy of Waukee, Iowa
• Jennifer Dammarell and Bridget of Cincinnati, Ohio
• Kurt Devries and Braxton of Seminole, Fla.
• Kurt Devries and Boden of Seminole, Fla.
• Darrin Dodd and Henry of Guyton, Ga.
• Lindsay Durfee and Hank of New Canaan, Conn.
• Kristen Grender and Sammy of Cambridge, Wis.
• Kristen Grender and Gordie of Cambridge, Wis.
• Nichole Lee and Addison of Huntersville, N.C.
• Yolanda Ortega-Hackett and Glenn of Sacramento, Calif.
• Katherine Passaro and Vincent of Port Richey, Fla.
• Barri Schnall and Ethan of Potomac, Md.
• Jesse Shand and Mya of Chandler, Ariz.
• Sonja Smith and Daijah of Richardson, Texas
• Nicole Snyder and Madeline of Roseburg, Ore.
• Tonya Snyder and Kole of Littlefield, Ariz.
• Amy Thyng and Sam of Austin, Texas
• Erin Wagonfield and Jonathan of Hamilton, Ohio
• Robin Yazel and Kali of South Bend, Ind.

"We loved seeing all of the different flavors and ingredients in this year's recipe entries," saidUNCLE BEN'S Senior Brand Manager Ashley Findlay. "The range of cuisines represented is a testament to families' creativity and the versatility of rice when used as the starting point for such a wide variety of dishes."

Since launching in 2012, the BEN'S BEGINNERS campaign has inspired a movement to get more kids cooking, a skill UNCLE BEN'S believes is as important as reading and writing. The program has motivated thousands of families to cook together and has awarded more than$1,000,000to families and schools across the country to help create healthier communities.

"We know how busy people are, and we also know there's a strong desire to spend more quality time cooking together. It's our mission to help make this a reality through programs like BEN'S BEGINNERS and through our healthy, convenient and tasty READY RICE products," adds Findlay.

Finalists now have the opportunity to rally their communities to vote for their recipe at beginners.unclebens.com until November 11, 2018. The five grand prize winners will then be announced on December 14, 2018.

For more information on the contest, kid-friendly cooking lessons and recipes, families can visit beginners.unclebens.com.

About the UNCLE BEN'S Brand

The UNCLE BEN'S Brand, the number one rice brand in the world, is proud to offer a wide range of rice dishes with flavors and textures that will help bring more to your meals, both for savory main courses and convenient side dishes. The UNCLE BEN'S Brand offers a wide variety of white, whole grain brown, and flavored rices in cook times ranging from 90 seconds to 30 minutes, as well as rice for food service operations such as restaurants, schools and hospitals. The first mass-produced parboiled rice, UNCLE BEN'S Brand products can be found around the world. The UNCLE BEN'S Brand products are manufactured by Mars Food, part of Mars, Incorporated. For more information, visit www.unclebens.com.

About Mars Food

Mars Food is a fast-growing dinnertime food business, making tastier, healthier, easier meals that bring the world to the dinner table. Headquartered in London, Mars Food's portfolio of leading brands includes: UNCLE BEN'S, DOLMIO, SEEDS OF CHANGE, MASTERFOODS, MIRACOLI, TASTY BITE, SUZI WAN, EBLY, ROYCO, KAN TONG, ABU SIOUF, RARIS, and PAMESELLO. Our purpose Better Food Today. A Better World Tomorrow. drives our business to be a leader in health & wellbeing and sustainability. Mars Food is a segment of Mars, Incorporated.

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SOURCE UNCLE BENS Brand