Hudson Valley Panera Bread Locations Celebrate Autumn with Seasonally-Inspired Flavors

    HUDSON COUNTY, NY, October 22, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Autumn at Panera Bread is all about the best ingredients and flavors that warm from the inside out. To celebrate the transition into Fall, Panera is offering a variety of seasonally inspired flavors with the return of some favorite feel-good foods and the introduction of exciting new items.

New this fall is the Roasted Turkey Artichoke Panini. Made with all-natural roasted turkey, artichoke-Parmesan spread, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and fresh baby spinach, all expertly grilled on Asiago Cheese Focaccia, it can be savored alone or paired with Panera's Mac & Cheese as part of a You Pick Two combination meal.

This all-natural turkey is also featured in the new Roasted Turkey Harvest Salad, which boasts a mix of romaine and field greens, fresh d'Angou pears, dried cherries, Gorgonzola cheese, and toasted pecans. Each delicious salad is hand-tossed in cherry balsamic vinaigrette for a sweet touch that complements and ties together each ingredient.

On the sweeter end of the spectrum, Panera Bread is excited to introduce the new Chocolate Pecan Babka this Fall. "Babka" is the Polish name for "grandma" - and it's also the name for the rich, buttery, yeasty bread that Eastern European immigrants brought to America in the 19th Century. Panera Bread skilled bakers artfully create each babka with a brioche-type dough with a buttermilk flavor to craft sweet egg bread that is marbled with a chocolate-flavored filling and toasted pecans.

For those looking for a low-fat snack on-the-go or a complement to any meal, Panera Bread introduces the new Cranberry Orange Smoothie with Ginseng to its smoothie lineup. This offering is made with Stonyfield Farm organic, low-fat vanilla yogurt, and is an excellent source of Vitamin C and Calcium, while also providing 100% of the daily value of Vitamins B6 and B12.

The Cherry Vanilla Bagel will celebrate its 10th anniversary with its annual return to Panera Bread this Fall. For the entire month of October, the Pink Ribbon Bagel will help to raise funds toward the fight against breast cancer. Flavored with cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar, this bagel is best enjoyed plain or paired with plain cream cheese. A portion of proceeds from all Pink Ribbon Bagel sales during the month of October will be donated to the local Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Since 2001, more than 7 million Pink Ribbon Bagels have been sold nationwide and $1 million has been raised for breast cancer charities.

A seasonal customer favorite, the signature All-Natural Steak Chili with Cornbread is back. A hearty blend of slow-cooked tender brisket slices, ground beef with onions, green bell peppers and kidney beans flavored with garlic and ancho peppers in a rich tomato-based broth, it is topped with a fresh-baked sweet cornbread crumble and provides a warm way to take the chill off any Fall day.

Autumn also brings the return of the Pumpkin Spiced Latte. An artful mix of flavors, this tasty drink is made with espresso, steamed milk and pumpkin spice topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. This latte can stand alone or be paired with one of Panera's Pumpkin Cookies, made from a pumpkin-shaped shortbread cookie decorated with orange and green icing.

About Panera Bread Company

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,493 bakery-cafes as of June 28, 2011 under the Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co, and Paradise Bakery & Cafe names. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. The franchisee Take Home The Bread, LLC plans to open 7 new bakery-cafes in the area over the next five years and has recently opened a cafe in the Town of Poughkeepsie, NY. Additional information is available on our website, www.panerabread.com.

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