Register for TEP's Mardi Gras Gumbo and Bread Pudding Competition in Memphis

Tennessee Equality Project is proud to host its 4th Annual Mardi Gras Party on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, which includes our second Gumbo Tasting Competition and a new Bread Pudding Contest. The ingredients of Gumbo are as diverse as the LGBT and allied community, and we celebrate this in Mardi Gras style! Participation was so enormous last year that we've moved the competition to a larger space at Spectrum Memphis. Funds raised from the competition will benefit TEP to advance and protect the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families in Tennessee.

The Mardi Gras Party competition has multiple categories:

• Amateur Gumbo - teams of non-professionals who love to cook. Entry fee: $25.
• Professional Gumbo - teams that include at least one person who is or has been paid to cook (you know who you are!). Entry fee: $50.
• Bread Pudding - teams that include bakers of any background for single division contest. Entry fee: $15.

Space for competing teams is limited. Gumbo and Bread Pudding Teams must submit completed entry forms online and submit their registration fee by Feb. 1, 2012 to guarantee a chance to compete. Teams may register for Gumbo, Bread Pudding, or both competitions.

TEP is offering sponsorships for this year's event for only $100. This includes advertising of your organization or business in event publicity, two (2) sets of People’s Choice tickets, and free entry into Gumbo or Bread Pudding competition. Sponsors must register by January 20, 2012 to ensure advertising for printed event posters.

Judging Criteria: The Gumbo Tasting Competition shall be judged on aroma, consistency, taste, and aftertaste by a panel of public figures from the Memphis area. First, Second and Third Place winners will be declared by the Judges Panel and by Gumbo tasters who attend for People’s Choice awards.

Register for competition or sponsorship for this event online at this link: http://bit.ly/TEPMardiGrasOnlineApp2012. Click here for a "print-friendly" version of the competition invitation, rules and application. Gumbo team registration shall be confirmed by event organizers after application and entry fee are received.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

The Shelby County Committee
Tennessee Equality Project

SAVE THE DATE!

4th ANNUAL TEP MARDI GRAS PARTY: 

GUMBO AND BREAD PUDDING COMPETITION

Sunday, February 12, 2012, 4:30 -7 PM

SPECTRUM MEMPHIS

616 Marshall Avenue

Memphis, TN 38103

For more information, call 901-301-3306 or email jonathan@tnequalityproject.com

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

The Shelby County Committee of Tennessee Equality Project invites you to celebrate Mardi Gras at Pearl's Oyster House and promote LGBT equality in our local community and state.

Enjoy fun, merriment and the tasty flavors of New Orleans cuisine while promoting a worthy cause. TEP will provide a spread of tasty treats with cash bar. Mardi Gras beads and attire are encouraged. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 299 South Main Street in Downtown Memphis.

TEP is moving forward with plans to promote Non-Discrimination Ordinances in Memphis and Nashville and fight anti-LGBT legislation at the state and local level. Citizens from Shelby County and all over Tennessee just completed another successful Advancing Equality Day on the Hill in Nashville. We engaged lawmakers on several bills affecting the LGBT community including an adoption ban bill that would "prohibit any individual who is cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of this state from adopting a minor."

Help us fight this bill and other anti-LGBT legislation! Your support is needed to advance and protect LGBT rights in our state ($25 to $50 suggested donation). If you can't attend the party but want to support TEP's efforts in Memphis and elsewhere in the state, take a moment to donate online.

Contributions to TEP's 501(c)(4) lobbying organization are not tax-deductible.

For more information contact TEP at 901.301.3306 or shelbycounty@tnequalityproject.com.

Let the good times roll!