Lifetime Hoan Products Receive American Culinary Award of Excellence

WESTBURY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2001--

Company Declares Regular Cash Dividend

Lifetime Hoan Corporation (Nasdaq NM: LCUT), a leading marketer of housewares, is the recipient of the prestigious American Culinary Award of Excellence for six of its Hoffritz(R) and Farberware(R) cutlery, kitchen tool and gadget products.

The American Culinary Institute deemed the Farberware(R) Millennium Forged Series and Hoffritz(R) Signature Series 8" chef's knives, and the Hoffritz(R) cast can opener, garlic press, euro peeler, and winged corkscrew to be of excellent design, construction, and user friendliness. A panel of professional chefs in San Francisco conducted the blind judging.

The American Culinary Institute was founded by Chef Jesse Sartain and his professional colleagues in 1997 to promote excellence in kitchen tabletop equipment. "Quality is our principal criterion," Mr. Sartain commented. "We take pride in honoring the recipients of this award, who have developed the finest products in the industry."

Jeffrey Siegel, President of Lifetime Hoan, stated, "We are very pleased to have received recognition for such a varied combination of products. Over the years we have concentrated our efforts on creating a diverse mix of high quality and intelligently designed utensils. Like our recent licensing agreement with KitchenAid(R), the American Culinary Award of Excellence is a validation of Lifetime Hoan's goal and our achievements."

Separately, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.0625 per share, payable on February 20, 2001 to shareholders of record on February 6, 2001.

Lifetime Hoan Corporation is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of household cutlery, kitchenware, cutting boards, pantryware and bakeware, marketing its products under various trade names including Farberware(R) and Hoffritz(R). Through the use of various brand names, Lifetime Hoan's products are distributed through almost every major retailer in the U.S., including Bed Bath & Beyond, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Macy's and Dayton Hudson.

The information herein contains certain forward-looking statements including statements concerning the Company's future prospects. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to general economic conditions and risks relating to the Company's operations, such as the risk of loss of major customers and risks relating to changes in demand for the Company's products, as detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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