ATCHISON, Kan., Sept. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) has named Yvette Hirang its new Culinary Chef, an integral role as the company addresses the plant-based foods trend with its recently launched ProTerra^® textured wheat and pea proteins. She joins the R&D team at MGP’s technical center in Atchison.

Yvette Hirang is new Culinary Chef at MGP Ingredients, Inc.

“With the heightened popularity of plant-based foods and our food service initiative, Yvette will help create ProTerra-based foods that are good-textured, savory and delicious to cater to the discriminating palate of millennials and Generation Z,” said Ody Maningat, chief science officer and vice president of R&D. “Her customer-facing responsibilities, working jointly with our sales team, will help provide solutions to product developers and food designers across the markets we serve.”

Maningat noted that Hirang has a unique set of talents in culinary arts, sales, communications, marketing and strategic management. She is a Certified Sous Chef and ServSafe Certified.

“Yvette will conduct food recipe development for key MGP products and showcase these new foods at industry events and with key customers when travel is possible post-COVID 19,” said Ingredient Solutions Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Buttshaw.

Most recently, Hirang was a culinary and sales consultant with Reinhart Foodservice. Her additional work in food service included sous chef with SAGE Dining Services, which serves independent and private colleges, and the culinary program at Johnson County Community College in Kansas. She also held sous chef positions at several Kansas City-area country clubs and is a chef instructor at the Culinary Center of Kansas City.

Hirang received an AAS (Associate of Arts & Sciences) degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training from Johnson County Community College in 2012. Prior, she obtained a B.A. in Communications, Advertising and Public Relations from Ateneo de Manila University and a MMT (Master’s in Management Technology) from DeLaSalle University in Lipa, Philippines.

About MGP
Founded in 1941, MGP (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science backed by a long history of experience. The company's proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where it produces premium distilled spirits and food ingredients. The company also produces distilled spirits in Washington, D.C., and at its historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4df96d4e-64d9-4c1e-9714-435858d7741d

Media Contact: Jenell Loschke, 913.360.5403
jenell.loschke@mgpingredients.com

Source: MGP Ingredients, Inc.