The Cheesecake Factory Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award From The Tasting Panel Magazine

The Cheesecake Factory’s® Russell Greene was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Tasting Panel Magazine at a ceremony in Los Angeles on November 12, 2009. The executive and editorial staff at The Tasting Panel considered hundreds of recipients for the award, and polled industry insiders to find out whom their peers consider the best of the best in the beverage industry. The Cheesecake Factory was the first ever on-premise business to be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Russell Greene, Senior Vice President of Operations Services for The Cheesecake Factory, accepted the award on behalf of himself and fellow staff members Heather Berry, Director of Beverage & Bakery Operations; Matt Raftree Senior Manager of Beverage & Bakery Operations; Phil Adler, Research & Development Specialist of Beverage & Bakery Operations; and Jeff Wiley, Master Mixologist.

"In an industry where chefs are the celebrities, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to shine the spotlight on the people who play such a major role in supporting a restaurant’s success,” said Meridith May, Publisher and Executive Editor of The Tasting Panel. "Russell Greene and The Cheesecake Factory Beverage Operations team is so deserving of this award, not only for a lifetime of successes already accomplished, but for a future of successes yet to be.”

The Cheesecake Factory has become legendary in the restaurant industry not only for its extensive food menu, but also for its visionary beverage program serving a wide array of hand-crafted cocktails, specialty drinks, wine, beer, coffees and teas. The Tasting Panel Magazine has credited The Cheesecake Factory with "putting the Mojito on the tip of America’s tongue, bringing a once unheard-of drink into the foreground.”

"For more than 30 years, we’ve challenged ourselves to develop a creative and innovative beverage menu,” said David Overton, Founder of The Cheesecake Factory. "We’re honored to be recognized with this prestigious award, and I am personally so proud of Russell Greene and our entire Beverage & Bakery Operations Team for their leadership and dedication to making our beverage menu among the very best in the industry.”

About The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ:CAKE) created the upscale casual dining segment in 1978 with the introduction of its namesake concept and continues to define it today. The company operates 146 restaurants throughout the U.S. under The Cheesecake Factory(R) name with an extensive menu of more than 200 items. Grand Lux Cafe(R), the company's second concept, has 13 units in operation across the U.S. offering a broad menu of more than 150 items. The company also operates one unit of its newest concept, RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen(TM), and two bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, CA and Rocky Mount, NC that produce over 70 varieties of quality cheesecakes and other baked products. Additionally, the company licenses two bakery cafe outlets to another foodservice operator under The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafe(R) mark. For more information, please visit www.TheCheesecakeFactory.com.

About The Tasting Panel Magazine

The Tasting Panel Magazine is the most widely circulated trade publication in the beverage industry, reaching an audience of over 70,000 key decision-makers every month and growing on an international scale. Manning the ship are dynamic publisher and executive editor Meridith May and renowned wine & spirits veteran Anthony Dias Blue, Editor-in-Chief. With their expertise, experience and esteem, The Tasting Panel has its finger on the pulse of the beverage industry, making for one of the most informative and cutting edge publications focusing on beverages, the beverage trade, the hospitality industry and the people who make the industry tick. Regular features include: Blue Reviews, authoritative scores and reviews of wines and spirits; Industry Spotlight, highlighting innovators and leaders; The Letter from London, Steven Spurrier’s monthly update; Brief Encounters, recapping meetings with industry figures and UpFront, an important brand spotlight.

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