LEASE AGREEMENT

                                                               LEASE NUMBER  103

                                                         DATE OF LEASE  09-01-97

LESSOR:     LESLIE RUDD INVESTMENT COMPANY
            314 South Galena Street
            Aspen, Colorado  81611
            303-925-5866

LESSEE:     Dean & Deluca Brands, Inc.          LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT
            560 Broadway                        2526 E. 36th St.
            New York, NY  10012                 North Circle
            212-226-6800                        Wichita, KS  67219

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TERM: 36 Months                       COMMENCEMENT DATE: 09-01-97


                             RENTAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE

$192.84 per month including sales and use tax for the first 36 months followed
by $61.26 per month including sales and use tax until the Lease Agreement is
terminated.


                                SECURITY DEPOSIT

$0 payable at time of signing of the Lease to be applied, if not used, to the
last 0 rental payments, plus sales and use tax, in the inverse order of their
respective maturities.


                              EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
                    (Model #, Serial #, or Other Description)
                        AAA Restaurant Supply - Equipment
           Four (4) EA 24x52 Nexel Shelving Sets & Four (4) 74" Posts





                                LEASE NUMBER 103


                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

This Lease shall constitute an agreement of lease and nothing herein shall be
construed as conveying to Lessee any right, title, or interest in any of the
Equipment. The undersigned agree to all terms and conditions set forth above and
in witness thereof hereby execute this Lease.


                                 NAME OF LESSEE:
                           Dean & Deluca Brands, Inc.


SIGNED BY:  /s/ DANE J. NELLER                              
            ------------------------------------------------
            Dane J. Neller
            Chief Executive Officer                                     Seal

This Lease shall not become effective until accepted by Lessor.


                                 NAME OF LESSOR:
                         LESLIE RUDD INVESTMENT COMPANY

ACCEPTED DATE:  09-01-97

SIGNED BY:  /s/ JON BOWMAN                             
            ------------------------------------------------
            Jon Bowman
            Secretary

LESSEE'S SIGNATURE IN INK REQUIRED ON ORIGINAL LEASE AND LESSEE'S COPY.




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