8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 14, 2006

AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-13403	84-1032638
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Identification Employer No.)

4100 N. Mulberry Drive, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri	64116
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (816) 584-5000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

Effective July 14, 2006, the Board of Directors of American Italian Pasta Company (the "Company") appointed Mr. Raymond P. Silcock to fill an existing vacancy on the Board of Directors. Mr. Silcock fills a vacancy in a class of directors that will stand for re-election at the Company's next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Silcock will serve on the Company’s Audit Committee. There have been no related party transactions between the Company and Mr. Silcock. A copy of the press release announcing this appointment is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release of the Company dated July 18, 2006.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:  July 20, 2006	AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY
	By:	/s/  George D. Shadid
		George D. Shadid
		Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release of the Company dated July 18, 2006.

EX-99.1

AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA COMPANY NEWS RELEASE

Contact: George Shadid – EVP & Chief Financial Officer 816-584-5621 gshadid@aipc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Italian Pasta Company

Appoints Raymond P. Silcock to Board of Directors

KANSAS CITY, MO, July 18, 2006 – American Italian Pasta Company (NYSE: PLB) announced today the appointment of Raymond P. Silcock to its Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Silcock will serve on the Company’s audit committee. With Mr. Silcock’s addition, the Company’s board is now comprised of ten independent directors.

Raymond Silcock has over 35 years of finance and accounting experience in the food and beverage industries. He most recently held the position of chief financial officer of Cott Corporation, the world’s largest private label soft drink manufacturer. Previously, Mr. Silcock held various domestic and international finance positions with Campbell Soup Company over an 18-year career. Mr. Silcock is a Chartered Management Accountant (UK) and received a Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves as a director of Prestige Brands, Inc., where he is a member of the audit committee. Both Cott Corporation and Prestige Brands, Inc. are publicly traded companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Founded in 1988 and based in Kansas City, Missouri, American Italian Pasta Company is the largest producer and marketer of dry pasta in North America. The Company has four plants that are located in Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Columbia, South Carolina; Tolleson, Arizona and Verolanuova, Italy. The Company has approximately 600 employees located in the United States and Italy.

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