For Immediate Release

NORTH BRANFORD, CT, July 10, 2000 - This holiday season, lefties don't have to be left out. Professional Cutlery Direct, Inc.® (PCD®), www.cutlery.com, is offering a line of products designed specifically for left-handed use. PCD, the leading provider of professional kitchen tools to the home cook as well as the professional chef, has worked for years to encourage manufacturers to offer "handed" tools in two models.

"While most of the items we sell work well in either hand, some are designed for right-handed use only, a significant inconvenience for our left-handed customers," said Terri Alpert, CEO and founder of Professional Cutlery Direct, Inc. "Our line of left-handed products has really caught on with our "southpaw" customers. We've even set up a special email address that has become quite popular: lefthanded@cutlery.com."

The sampling of products listed below includes some of the best kitchen products available to left-handed cooks this holiday season. For more holiday gift ideas, or to place an order, call toll-free 1-877-MY-KNIFE or visit www.cutlery.com.

• Lamson Left-Handed Slotted Turner - One of PCD's hottest selling spatulas, Lamson Left-Handed Slotted Turner ($19.99), a very flexible slotted turner, is outselling its right-handed counterpart. Made in USA.
  
  
• Left-Handed Bread Knife - Global's nine-inch bread knife ($65.99) is offered in both "hands." Made in Japan.
  
  
• Left-Handed Deba - Ground on one side for the straightest possible cuts, the Global 7" Deba ($76.99), ideal for working with raw, delicate fish, is made to order for righties or lefties. Made in Japan.
  
  
• Left-Handed Sashimi Knife - Also ground on one side and great for raw fish, the 10" Sashimi Knife ($81.99) from Global is available in left-handed form. Made in Japan.
  
  
• Left-Handed Corkscrew - With its finely polished surface and brushed matt finish, the left-handed corkscrew ($49.99) is well suited for long corks. Made in Germany.
  
  
• Both-Handed Saucepan - Ideal for sauce reductions, melting butter, heating cream, and more, this French-made saucepan ($24.99) with a special lip on each side for right- or left-handed pouring, is a must-have for southpaw kitchens.

PCD offers the largest in-stock selection of fine kitchen knives in the world. PCD also offers an enormous variety of commercial cookware not normally available to consumers, and other essential tools for the kitchen.

Chefs can place orders or request a free Professional Cutlery Direct catalog by phone at 1-877-MY-KNIFE, or via the Internet (www.cutlery.com) All products are backed by a 100% guarantee of satisfaction and return policy.

Professional Cutlery Direct (www.cutlery.com) is a primary source for the finest selection of the chef's essential tools including knives, cookware, furniture, and accessories. The company's chef, Will Cook, tests and trains all staff on products offered in the catalog. Founded in 1993, PCD achieved sales of $9 million in 1999, up from $5 million in 1998.

To arrange an interview or to receive digital photography, please contact: Michele FitzGerald at 203-871-1000 ext. 245 e-mail michelef@cutlery.com