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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRIAN CAHILL NAMED CFO AT MGP INGREDIENTS;
DAVE WILBUR PROMOTED TO GM OF COMPANY'S ILLINOIS PLANT



ATCHISON, Kan., October 16, 2002--Ladd Seaberg, president and chief
executive officer of MGP Ingredients, Inc., has announced the appointment of
Brian Cahill as vice president of finance and administration and chief financial
officer at the company. Cahill succeeds Bob Booe, who retired on Oct. 10 after
36 years with the company.

For the last 10 years, Cahill had served as general manager of the
company's operations in Pekin., Ill. That position is now held by Dave Wilbur,
who had been plant manager at the Illinois facility since July, 2000.

"I am completely confident that Brian and Dave will make many positive
contributions to the company in their new positions," Seaberg said. "Brian has
been a great asset for our company since his arrival, and his financial acumen
and attention to detail will serve us well. Dave's manufacturing expertise and
management experience will help ensure that our Pekin facility is run with a
high degree of efficiency."

Seaberg also praised the efforts of Booe, who began his career with the
company in 1966. "Bob possesses a number of wonderful qualities that proved to
be very beneficial to our company's development," he said. "His integrity,
forthrightness and thoroughness were extremely beneficial in helping this
company establish an outstanding fiscal position and a strong reputation among
members of the financial community."

Having begun his career with MGP Ingredients as office manager at the
company's Atchison, Kan., headquarters, Booe was appointed controller and
treasurer in 1968. He was promoted to vice president of finance and
administration and CFO in 1989.

Until his recent relocation to the company's headquarters in Atchison,
Kan., Cahill had spent his entire business career at the Illinois plant. He
began as a tax accountant for the plant's former owner, American Distilling
Company, in 1975. He was promoted to plant controller in 1977, and continued in
that capacity when American Distilling was purchased by MGP Ingredients in 1980.
In 1984, Cahill was made manager of finance and administration. A year later, he
was elevated to vice president, and in 1992 was named general manager of the
Illinois plant.
-more-

ADD 1--BRIAN CAHILL NAMED CFO

A native of Chicago, Cahill received a bachelor of science degree in
accounting from Bradley University, Peoria, in 1975 and his CPA certification a
year later. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and the Illinois CPA Society, and has been active in United Way,
Chamber of Commerce board functions, the Bradley University Business School
Board and youth development programs. Cahill and his wife, Jan, have two sons
and one daughter.

Prior to his employment at MGP Ingredients, Wilbur served as general
manager of Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers, Granite Falls, Minn., from 1998
to 1999. He previously served in similar capacities with I-Rock, Bradley, Ill.,
and Incobrasa Industries, Gilman, Ill., and spent a year as director of
engineering for Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark. Prior to those positions,
Wilbur held management and engineering posts at Central Soya Co., Inc., Fort
Wayne, Ind., between 1977 and 1994, and was employed by Procter and Gamble,
Inc., Chicago, between 1971 and 1977.

Wilbur is a native of Roberts, Wisc., and holds a bachelor of science
degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, where he
graduated in 1971. He and his wife, Christine, are the parents of three
daughters.

Formerly known as Midwest Grain Products, Inc., the company was renamed MGP
Ingredients, Inc. on Oct. 10 to reflect a greatly increased focus on the
development, production and marketing of specialty ingredients derived from
natural sources. The company is a pioneer in producing and marketing value-added
proteins and starches derived primarily from wheat. In addition, the company
produces natural food-grade alcohol for use in beverage, food and industrial
applications, and fuel grade alcohol, commonly known as ethanol.

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