Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation Addresses Stock and Southern California Status DENVER, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation (Nasdaq: CHLE; Boston: CSJ) last week experienced significantly higher trading volume in its stock, with volume for the week totaling over 200,000 shares, amid a decline in its price. Centennial is confirming by this release that there is no material non-public information the company is aware of to cause this price volatility. Centennial is continuing to execute its business plan and to implement its strategy to enter new geographic markets with its premium Stokes products. As previously discussed in a press release dated January 4, 2004, the grocery workers strike in Southern California is continuing. The strike was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2003 and has impacted many of the major grocery retailers' operations, both in Southern California and surrounding areas. With Southern California being a significant expansionmarket for Centennial, certain delays in opportunities to expand are being experienced by Centennial in Southern California. Some area grocery retailers are currently not accepting appointments to review new product additions. Other grocery retailersare accepting appointments to review new products, but will not be introducing approved new products onto their shelves until the strike ends. Centennial has previously had one major retailer approve its Stokes products for sale in Southern and Northern California, and at the end of January 2004, our first shipments were made to Northern California Safeway stores. Centennial is working with the major and several smaller grocery retailers in the Southern California area, though delays are expected in getting its products onto the major retailers' shelves. Centennial continues to take advantage of opportunities as grocery retailers present them. Centennial is reviewing expansion opportunities in other markets that may offer a more timely, strategic fit for sales of its products. However, based on California's size and population, it continues to be a significant focus for Centennial. Centennial expects to continue laying the groundwork for market rollout with three major retailers in Southern California. In the meantime, Centennial is working to introduce its products in Southern California through grocery retailers other than the three largest retailers. Centennial is simultaneously filing a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission that discusses the above items in more detail. Investors are encouraged to review the Form 8-K on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/ for more information. Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of ethnic Southwestern food products. Its products are sold under the Stokes and Ellis labels, two well-known Southwestern brands that date back almost 100 years. Principal channels of distribution for Centennial's products are grocery retailers, superstores andclub stores in Colorado and, to a lesser extent, several major metropolitan markets in adjoining states. More information about Centennial can be found on its website at http://www.centennialspecialtyfoods.com/ . Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain matters discussed in this press release could contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current trends or expected results. We identify forward looking statements through our use of words such as "expect," "believe," "project," "anticipate," and similar expressions. The risks that may affect our ability to achieve forward-looking statements are discussed in our final prospectus in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and other documents that are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information please contact Stephanie Hinkle, (720) 488-5409 at Preserve Communications Services or Jeffrey Nieder, (303) 414-4613 at Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation. Stokes and Ellis are registered trademarks of Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation. DATASOURCE: Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation CONTACT: Stephanie Hinkle of Preserve Communications Services, +1-720-488-5409; or Jeffrey Nieder of Centennial Specialty Foods Corporation, +1-303-414-4613 Web site: http://www.centennialspecialtyfoods.com/

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