By EAMON MCNIFF
ABC News

A former Thomas' English Muffins worker described as one of seven people worldwide who know the trade secrets behind the product's "nooks and crannies" can't take his knowledge to rival baker Hostess -- at least for now, a judge has ruled.

A Philadelphia judge has ruled a man can't take his knowledge of the secret process for Thomas' English Muffins to a new job with the baker Hostess.

Chris Botticella, a former senior vice president for Bimbo Foods, the maker of Thomas' English Muffins, has been embroiled in a lawsuit by his former employer after he accepted a job working for Hostess. The stakes are substantial because Thomas' English Muffins brings in about $500 million annually, according to court documents filed by Bimbo.