Doris Christopher, Founder and Chairman of The Pampered Chef, Recognized with Horatio Alger Award

ADDISON, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2006--Doris K. Christopher, Founder and Chairman of The Pampered Chef, was one of nine individuals to receive the prestigious 2006 Horatio Alger Award, and to be inducted as a lifetime member of The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. These nine individuals were chosen from hundreds of nominations recognizing individuals who have come from humble beginnings to achieve extraordinary success.

"The lives of each of these exceptional individuals provide wonderful examples of the tradition of proving that perseverance and integrity are the cornerstones upon which success in our great nation is built," remarked Dennis R. Washington, president and CEO of the Horatio Alger Association. Christopher and the other award recipients were honored at formal ceremonies in Washington D.C., along with over 100 high school seniors from across the nation, each of whom was awarded with a $10,000 scholarship. Presenters throughout the festivities included fellow members, actor Ed McMahon, financial anchor Lou Dobbs, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and television personality Oprah Winfrey.

“The Pampered Chef: The Story of One of America's Most Beloved Companies”

Christopher, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, borrowed three thousand dollars from a life insurance policy to found The Pampered Chef in 1980. She built the direct selling kitchen tool company into a multi-million dollar business serving over 12 million customers a year. In 2002, the international company became a part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses. In July of 2005, Currency/Doubleday published her second book, "The Pampered Chef: The Story of One of America's Most Beloved Companies," with a foreword written by Warren Buffett.

"For me," says Christopher, "the most important aspect of this award is its focus on education. As I looked out from the stage at this year's scholars, I knew I was seeing the future leaders of America. The Horatio Alger Association's tireless efforts on furthering education help to show us that here in America, hard work, perseverance and education are truly the building blocks of future success. In America, it doesn't matter where we came from, what matters is where we are going."

Doris Christopher and her company have a long history of supporting educational institutions and programs. The Pampered Chef's Bright Futures Scholarship Program awards yearly college scholarships to eligible children of the company's coworkers and sales field organization. The Pampered Chef Family Resiliency Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign provides a world-class facility, research, community programs and educational grants dedicated to the study and practice of strengthening the family unit.

For additional information about the Horatio Alger Association's members, programs and scholarships, please visit www.horatioalger.org. For additional information on Doris Christopher and The Pampered Chef, please visit www.pamperedchef.com.

About The Pampered Chef

The Pampered Chef, founded in 1980 by Doris K. Christopher and now part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, is the premier direct seller of high quality kitchen tools. At in-home cooking demonstrations, called Cooking Shows, guests see products and recipes in action, learn quick and easy food preparation techniques and receive tips on how to entertain with style and ease - transforming the simple to the spectacular. For more information call 1-800-266-5562 or visit www.pamperedchef.com.

The Pampered Chef is a registered trademark.