TORONTO, April 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Maple Leaf Foods today announced that it has appointed Andrea Nicholson as the Company's new Corporate Chef.

Ms. Nicholson will bring her unique, on-trend experience to play a key role in Maple Leaf's Culinary Innovation team by supporting product development initiatives and providing inspiration for the development of recipes for Appehtite.ca.  Andrea will also act as a culinary spokesperson with media, customers and other Maple Leaf stakeholders.

"We are thrilled to have Andrea's exceptional blend of culinary, business and academic experience at Maple Leaf," said Martin Daniels, Director, Culinary Innovation at Maple Leaf Foods. "She will play a key role on the team, focused on creating great tasting, nutritious food products supported by a vast collection of on-trend recipe ideas for consumers across Canada to enjoy."

"I'm thrilled to join a great Canadian company that is at the forefront of food innovation," Said Ms.Nicholson. "I look forward to bringing a world-class palate of culinary diversity to all Canadians through outstanding products."

Ms. Nicholson is a Red Seal certified chef. Prior to joining Maple Leaf, she held positions in highly respected Toronto restaurants and culinary institutes including Great Cooks, Via Allegro, The Fifth, Humber College, George Brown College, 35 Elm and Cafe Nervosa. As an avid media personality, Ms. Nicholson enjoyed positions as the in-house chef on The Marilyn Denis Show and chef and co-host on Food Network's Restaurant Takeover. She also appeared as a contestant on Season One of the Food Network's Top Chef Canada. Throughout her career, Ms. Nicholson has worked with internationally acclaimed chefs and holds a diploma from the A.P.N. of Naples, Italy, distinguishing her as a certified Pizzaiuoli. She received her culinary training at George Brown College in Toronto. 

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading Canadian consumer protein company, making high quality, innovative products under national brands including Maple Leaf^®, Maple Leaf Prime^®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections^®, Schneiders^®, Schneiders Country Naturals^® and Mina™. The Company employs approximately 12,000 people across Canada and exports to global markets, including the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.