RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Sept. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHEF), a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States, today announced the appointment of Joseph Cugine to the Company's board of directors, effective September 7, 2012. Mr. Cugine will also serve as a member of both the board's nominating and corporate governance committee and compensation committee.

"Joe is a highly respected industry leader with extensive experience in general management, sales, marketing, finance, operations and supply chain," said Christopher Pappas, chief executive officer of The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. "We believe he will be an excellent addition to our Board, and I would like to officially welcome him to the team."

Mr. Cugine brings over 25 years of food distribution experience. Previously, Mr. Cugine was chief customer officer and senior vice president of PepsiCo Foodservice division from 2004-2010. Prior to that role he held a series of general manager and sales leadership roles throughout PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. He is currently President and co-owner of Argo Tea, a retail and wholesale tea company based in Chicago with 25 stores; the owner of Cugine Foods, which owns restaurant franchises in New York; and co-founder and partner of a multi-unit restaurant and real estate holding company in New Jersey.

About The Chefs' Warehouse

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (http://www.chefswarehouse.com) is a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States focused on serving the specific needs of chefs who own and/or operate some of the nation's leading menu-driven independent restaurants, fine dining establishments, country clubs, hotels, caterers, culinary schools and specialty food stores. The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. carries and distributes more than 16,700 products to more than 9,800 customer locations throughout the United States.

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