The chosen 2004 "Chef of the Year" will win a $5,000 savings bond and a two-year supply of EASY-BAKE brand bake sets, plus be the namesake of an original dish created by Brooke Vosika, executive chef of Four Seasons Hotel New York. The dish will be unveiled at the event finals and will be an item on the children's menu at Four Seasons Hotel New York for a limited time. Four runners-up each will receive a $1,000 savings bond, and a one-year supply of EASY-BAKE brand bake sets. All finalists will receive a two-night trip to New York City and a package of Hasbro toys and games.

This will be the fourth time the brand has searched for America's child chef; the contest has grown in popularity since first established. Hasbro has hosted three "Baker of the Year" contests, first in 1998, in honor of the American icon's 35th birthday, the second in 2000 to ring in the new millennium and the third in 2003 to celebrate its 40th birthday and the launch of the EASY-BAKE REAL MEAL Oven. "This contest is such a great way to encourage future chefs and instill creativity among kids," said Jeff Taylor, vice president of marketing for Hasbro, makers of the EASY-BAKE Oven. "It's a fun contest and there has been such positive response from kids and their parents in past years that we decided to make this an annual event."

For the EASY-BAKE "Chef of the Year" 2004 competition, five finalists will be selected by culinary staff at Johnson & Wales University, one of the world's largest culinary educators, and notified to make their creation at the finals in New York City in late September. During the finals, a panel of judges, including renowned toy experts, children's/parenting magazine editors and a world-class chef will be tempted with the delicious treats created in either the EASY- BAKE Oven or the REAL MEAL Oven.

"The EASY-BAKE Oven has remained a pop culture icon for more than forty years because good times and good food never goes out of style," said Taylor. "We're excited to offer today's kids the added option to cook or bake using EASY-BAKE. We look forward to seeing and tasting what this year's young chefs will create, because in our book, allowing kids to express their creativity definitely takes the cake!"

Contest Rules

Entrants must be between 8 and 12 years old on August 15, 2004, and must submit a recipe that includes one or more EASY-BAKE brand mixes. Recipes must be submitted with a legal guardian's consent and must include a complete list of the ingredients (including at least one EASY-BAKE brand mix), mixing directions and baking time, plus a photo of the finished product, to: EASY-BAKE "CHEF OF THE YEAR 2004," PO Box # 5005, Grand Central Station Post Office, New York, NY 10163-5288.

Entries must include the child's name, legal guardian's name, address, phone number and child's date of birth on the recipe card. All entries must be postmarked by August 15, 2004.

All finalists will be notified in early September 2004 by phone. Finalists must be prepared to show proof of age and must be available to travel to New York City for the finals the week of October 4th.

For a complete set of rules and regulations, consumers can visit www.easybake.com or send inquiries with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: EASY-BAKE "CHEF OF THE YEAR" 2004, PO Box # 5005, Grand Central Station Post Office, New York, NY 10163-5288.

For additional inquiries about the EASY-BAKE brand or other Hasbro products, consumers can call 800-255-5516.

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.

(c) 2004 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.