San Diego, Calif. (August 12, 2003)- For the third consecutive year, San Diego-based Swain Creations, makers of Jer’s Handmade Chocolates, took home a top award for its handmade chocolates. This year it was the company’s newest creation, Cara Mella™ that won the “Best of Show” award and further recognition for Jer’s Handmade Chocolates from the leaders in the chocolate industry. This internationally acclaimed award was given at the Retail Confectioners International (RCI) 83rd Annual Convention and Industry Exposition held in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“We were both excited and honored to have a ‘threepeat’ at the RCI convention,” said founder and CEO, Jerry Swain. “We work hard to create innovative products and it is rewarding to be recognized and honored by our peers in the industry.” The Cara Mella™ combines all-natural peanut butter with caramel and the finest chocolate to make a caramel chocolate second to none. “We realized that it is a long process to create and develop new flavors and we are committed to making only “award-winning chocolates” that are unique and, of course, include peanut butter. It is our companies goal to produce delicious high-quality products that make people feel good. We enjoy meeting that goal and challenge everyday,” said Swain.

The “threepeat” began in 2001 with Jer’s Original Incrediball™. Recognized and awarded “Best First Time Piece” it is a mouth-watering combination of all-natural peanut butter, confectioners’ rice crisp and premium chocolate. In 2001, it was the Pretzo Change-O™ combining pretzels, natural peanut butter and chocolate that grabbed the votes, winning two awards “Best New Piece” as well as “Best of Show”.

This year it is the Cara Mella™ that won the taste test and “Best of Show”. “It is truly an honor to have received three awards in our first three years of business. We are all feeling very energized and are committed to sharing the experience of our chocolates with as many people as we can.”

About Swain Creations

Swain Creations, maker of Jer’s Handmade chocolates and based in San Diego, is the maker of unique, decadent chocolates. Included in their mix are three award winning combinations: Original IncrediBall, Pretzo Change-O and Cara Mella. Today Swain Creations can be found at www.iwantchocolate.com and specific Nordstrom locations.

About Jerry Swain

In 2000, Jerry Swain left his comfortable and successful career path at major corporations to turn his special recipe for peanut butter and chocolate confections into a business venture. He took a risk, and his dream of sharing his recipe with others is definitely being fulfilled. For three consecutive years his products have been voted “Best of Show” by his peers from more than 700 confectionary companies throughout the world.