Sodexho Honors Pan-Asian Federal Heritage Month with Chinatown Chefs Tour

SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2006-Eight Sodexho chefs joined Martin Yan, internationally renowned chef, author and PBS star (“Yan Can Cook”) for a Sodexho-led tour of San Francisco's famed Chinatown last Thursday. In recognition of Pan-Asian Federal Heritage Month, the chefs visited several Chinese produce stands, a butcher shop and an herbal medicine store, followed by a lunch of Dim Sum and a sampling of gourmet Chinese teas. Chef Yan focused on building the awareness of the increasing fusion of Asian flavors into American fare and the importance of fresh ingredients purchased locally.

“This tour with Chef Yan has been a fantastic opportunity for our chefs to learn from one of the best culinary talents in the world,” said Sodexho Vice President David Cash. “Since May is Pan-Asian Federal Heritage Month, our chefs' exposure to new Asian cuisines couldn't have come at a better time. We now have some wonderful new ideas to provide for our customers.”

Sodexho, Inc. (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $6.3 billion in annual revenue and 120,000+ employees. Sodexho, Inc. offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites throughout North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho, Inc. proudly serves as the official food service provider for the U.S. Marine Corps.