FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Andrew J. Groveman
Senior Vice President
Belz Enterprises
(901) 260-7348

ISAAC HAYES COOKING UP MORE FUN DOWNTOWN
New Retail Store Opens in Peabody Place Entertainment and Retail Center Studio Kitchen Coming in July

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Tuesday, April 16, 2002 – World-renown entertainer and "Chef" Isaac Hayes is expanding his culinary horizons with the opening of his new Isaac Hayes Studio Kitchen & Wares located inside the Peabody Place Entertainment and Retail Center downtown. The new, 2,600-square-foot space is the perfect complement to Isaac Hayes' Music • Food • Passion restaurant/club, which opened in the Entertainment and Retail Center last October.

The "wares" or retail portion of Hayes' latest venture, which opened a few weeks ago, offers a one-stop-shop for all Isaac Hayes Music • Food • Passion logo items including T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, coffee mugs and pens. The store also sells specialty cookware, Mikasa stemware and china, barstools and custom serving carts, as well as Isaac Hayes signature plates and barstools. Hayes' cookbook "Cooking with Heart and Soul," along with his signature "Memphis Magic" sauces, "Jivin' Jerk," "Soulful Barbecue," and "Fiery Wing," may also be found at the store.

So far, business has been "very good," according to Christie Cochrane, director of retail sales and displays for Lifestyle Ventures, Hayes’ partner in the new business enterprise. "There's been a lot of traffic and a lot of interest in the store and we expect it will increase even more when the studio kitchen opens."

The "kitchen," filled with state-of-the-art appliances will offer demonstrations of what Cochran characterizes as "opportunities for entertaining in the kitchen." In addition to Hayes, the kitchen will spotlight well-known, local and regional chefs. Slated to open in July, the kitchen will accommodate approximately 45 audience guests. Ticket prices will vary according to the type of cooking demonstration. And, look out Emeril Lagasse, plans are in the works to have the cooking sessions televised.

Isaac Hayes Studio Kitchen & Wares, located on the second level of the Entertainment and Retail Center across from Jillian's, is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"We are thrilled Isaac Hayes has made the Peabody Place Entertainment and Retail Center his 'home away from home' in Memphis. His signature restaurant and club and now his Studio Kitchen & Wares offer Memphians a distinctly soulful Southern taste," Andrew J. Groveman, senior vice president, Belz Enterprises said. "We invite Mid-Southerners to 'come downtown and play,' and let Isaac Hayes entertain and do the cooking for you, for a relaxing change of pace."

Isaac Hayes was the first African-American to receive an Oscar for "Best Musical Score" and to have an album certified "Platinum." Hayes is perhaps best known for his "Theme from Shaft," which won him a Golden Globe, Grammy, NAACP Image Award and the Edison Award, the highest award for music in Europe. He is also the voice of "Chef" on cable TV's "South Park."

Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Belz Enterprises is a leading innovator in real estate development with interests throughout the South, including Peabody Place Entertainment and Retail Center at 150 Peabody Place, and Lifestyle Ventures. Throughout the United States, Belz develops, owns and/or manages more than 30 million square feet of industrial warehouses, distribution centers, shopping centers, office buildings, mixed-use centers and corporate campuses. The company also owns a group of premier hotels including the Peabody Hotels in Memphis, Orlando and Little Rock.