Taste of Pride

Registration

October 2-8, 2023

Select locations throughout the National Capital Region.

Photo Credit: Ted Eytan

Welcome to Taste of Pride 2023

Get ready to embark on a delectable culinary journey like never before during our highly anticipated Taste of Pride! From October 2nd through October 8th, we’re bringing you an exquisite celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and dining flavors in the National Capital Region. Your talented chefs and amazing restaurants will curate exceptional menus that showcase the best of their culinary artistry. Your participation in this culinary experience will raise money for the Pride365 Fund and support LGBTQ+ organizations in our community.

Registration deadline is Friday, September 15, 2023 at 9pm.

Learn more about the fund at www.pride365.org/fund.

Tiers of Participation

	TIERS OF PARTICIPATION
	ALLY $500 Donation	ACTIVIST $1000 Donation	LEADER $1500 Donation	CHANGEMAKER $5000 Donation *ONLY 2 Available
PARTICIPATION BENEFITS
Taste of Pride Website Listing
Dedicated Social Media Posts Incl. Facebook, Instagram (IG), & Twitter	1 Post	2 Posts	2 Posts	3 Posts
Newsletter Inclusion	1 Time	2 Times	2 Times	3 Times
Inclusion in Press Release (Registration deadline of Sept. 15, 2023)
Discounts for participation in 2024 Capital Pride – Parade and/or Festival (Certain requirements and restrictions apply. Details forthcoming.)	5% Discount	10% Discount	15% Discount	20% Discount
Inclusion in publications (e.g., Popville, Eater)
Dedicated Promotional Business Email Blast	–	–
IG Live w/CPA Team	–	–
IG Live w/Recognized Influencer	–	–	–
Inclusion in Morning Talk Shows	–	–	–
Dedicated CPA Team Participation	–	–	–
Advocate recognition on capitalpride.org	–	–	–

Donation Requirement

There is a required donation to be an official participant of Taste of Pride 2023. Your registration will not be valid until that donation is received. The donation amount varies by the participation tier that you select, as outlined on the registration page. There are a limited number of slots available to participate in each level for Taste of Pride 2023. Please fill out the donation first to make sure that available slots remain. Thereafter, fill out your application. Please understand that the application will not be considered complete until the donation has been made.

**Donations are non-refundable.**

All proceeds will go to the Pride365 Fund and support LGBTQ+ organizations in our community.

Donation Requirement

Participation Requirements

Participating restaurants MUST agree to participate from October 2 to October 8 and agree to donate at one of the participation tier levels. (See participation tiers.)
Participating restaurants MUST register by 9:00 PM on September 15, 2023, at one of the listed tiers of participation. (See participation tiers.)
Participating restaurants MUST offer prix-fixed menu for either brunch, lunch, dinner, or all three during the normal operating hours for the selected service, brunch/lunch/dinner, for the entire event period of seven days. Lunch and Brunch menus are to be offered at $30.00; Dinner menus are to be offered at $40.00 or $55.00.
Participating restaurants through in-house marketing assets, tabletop signs, QR codes, and point of sale services encourage patrons to donate to the PRIDE365 Fund.
Participating restaurants MUST display a CPA sticker to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Stickers will be provided by the Capital Pride Alliance.
Participating restaurants MUST agree to set aside and manage a reservation block for the entire Taste of pride period of seven days.
Participating restaurants MUST provide a PDF version of their designated Taste of Pride menu to be posted on the official Taste of Pride Website.
Participating restaurants MUST complete the post-Taste of Pride survey to provide feedback on the event.

Optional But Highly Encouraged and Appreciated

Participating restaurants can enhance their donations by pledging to provide 5-10% of the net sales for the full week.
Participating restaurants can provide gift certificates, additional specials, or giveaways for additional marketing opportunities.
Participating restaurants are encouraged to develop appropriate LGBTQ+ programming (i.e., Drag show, poetry reading, performing arts) to highlight one night during the week.
Participating restaurants can add Pride décor to enhance their Taste of Pride week.
We encourage participating restaurants to feature a Tito’s specialty cocktail and/or specials on Tito’s cocktails, Sam Adams beer, and Truly Hard Seltzer. These can be included as part of your menu or as an additional charge.

FAQs

How do I register my restaurant for Taste of Pride?

To register for Taste of Pride, your restaurant must be able to legally conduct business in the Metropolitan Washington DC area. Registrations are accepted at www.capitalpride.org/top-registration. Your registration will not be valid until the donation is received. Donations can be made at www.capitalpride.org/top-donation.

What is the deadline to register?

The Taste of Pride events are capped at 50 locations. Registration closes once the cap has been met or within 2 weeks of the start of the event. Additional participating benefits will be provided for those who register by September 15, 2023 at 9pm.

I have more than one restaurant. Do each of my restaurants have to register separately to participate?

Yes. All restaurants receive identical benefits, so each participating restaurant must register individually at the Supporter, Activist, or Leader level. If you register at the Champion level ($5,000), you may have up to three separate locations/restaurants participate.

Do I have to donate twice if I have more than restaurant with the same name in different locations?

Yes, if you register at the Supporter, Activist, or Leader level each restaurant will be listed individually and included in all promotional material as a separate restaurant. If you register at the Champion level ($5,000), you may have three separate locations/restaurants participate.

Does my restaurant have to participate for the entire length of Taste of Pride?

Yes. All participating restaurants are required to offer their Taste of Pride menu for the selected service during all regular operating days, for the full length of the seven-day event period. Restaurants that opt to offer a Taste of Pride brunch service can choose from Saturday only, Sunday only, or both days.

Do I have to offer brunch/lunch at $30.00 or dinner at $40.00/$55.00?

Yes. Each restaurant determines its Taste of Pride menu for the specified price points exclusive of tax and gratuity.

How can I participate in Taste of Pride brunch?

Restaurants have the option to offer a Taste of Pride brunch menu, in addition to a lunch and/or dinner menu. The brunch price point is $30.00.

Can I include a cocktail or glass of wine in the fixed price?

Yes, restaurants can include beer, wine, cocktails, or any other beverage within your Taste of Pride offer.

You also have the choice to offer cocktail or wine pairings as an add-on to your Taste of Pride menu. You can indicate if you are offering pairings, which are not included in the prix-fixe pricing while registering your location.

Can I offer “upsell” items to the fixed price menu to increase the check price?

Yes. Your restaurant may offer menu “upgrades” at an additional cost. That is, you could offer the Taste of Pride menu option for $30.00 (lunch/brunch) or $40.00 or $55.00 (dinner) and then, at the table side, offer the customer the option to add shrimp for $5 or lobster for $10, for example.

Does my restaurant have to offer three appetizers, three entrees, and three desserts to choose from?

It’s up to you to decide what is offered on your Taste of Pride menu. Many participants offer a special menu or include their full menu as part of the event. Whatever you decide to do, Taste of Pride diners are looking for something special at your restaurant during the event. Be sure to create/offer a menu that will showcase your restaurant.

Do I have to send my Taste of Pride menu to CPA?

Yes. Participants can send their menus to [email protected]. Each cycle we plan a date for the reveal of the menus along with an announcement to the public. Please note that potential diners often look at the menu offerings on the Taste of Pride site before booking their reservation.

When will my restaurant be listed on the website?

Your restaurant will be listed on the official Taste of Pride site upon completion of your registration including your donation.

Can I include the Taste of Pride logo on my website and in event pieces?

Yes. All participants will receive the Taste of Pride marketing Tool-Kit inclusive of the official Taste of Pride logo, canned social media messages and customizable templates for your use in promoting your restaurant for the event. You may also email [email protected] to request the logo.

What will my donation to Taste of Pride support?

All donations at every level will support the Pride365 Fund. Contributions to the Pride365 Fund help to provide direct financial support to local community organizations for programs that celebrate and enrich lives of members of the LGBTQ+ community; expand access to programs, events, and activities to ensure inclusivity; and promote events and programs that provide visibility and elevate the voices of the LGBTQ+ community.

As we get closer to celebrating 50 years of Pride in the Nation’s Capital and WorldPride Washington, DC in 2025, your support will help to ensure we can continue to gather at events like the annual Capital Pride Parade, Pride Festival, and Concert, and keep them free to attend. In addition, your donations will help to support new and expanded events that will enhance the WorldPride Washington, DC experience. GivePride365 – Pride365

For more information, please contact: Brandon Bayton at [email protected] or call us at (202) 213-6993.

Donation Requirement Register Your Restaurant Today