NEW PATHMARK UNIT BECOMES 2ND CHEF'S CREATIONS SITE

ROSEANNE HARPER

WOODBRIDGE, N.J. -- Pathmark Stores here has installed its chilled entrees program into a second location, a new unit in the New York suburb of Woodbury on Long Island.

The prepared entrees and sides, which number about 40, are served up by the pound from a chilled service case at the new store's deli counter, said Stan Sorkin, senior vice president of public affairs for Pathmark.

As previously reported in SN, the chain introduced the upscale Chef's Creations program in August, at a remodeled unit in Greenvale, N.Y., several miles away from the Woodbury site.

"We chose the Woodbury store for our second [Chef's Creations installation] because of the upper-income demographics," Sorkin said. The demographics of consumer base there is similar to that of the first location, he added.

Sorkin would not say whether the program will be rolled out to additional stores. "We're just not talking about future expansion," he said.

The program at both stores features a large array of fresh entrees and side dishes prepared in-store, he said. A culinary-trained staff, headed up by a chef, prepares the fare at each store. Chicken and pasta-based entrees dominate the menu because of their universal appeal, according to Sorkin.

At the time of the program's debut in Greenvale, Sorkin said the chain was hoping the Chef's Creations items would appeal to busy dual-income families, by offering them an alternative to going to eat-in or take-out restaurants for their meal needs.

The Woodbury store opened in December. The grand-opening circular devoted a half-page to the entrees program. It included a photo of the resident chef, and a telephone number for catering services.

Pathmark operates about 145 stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.