February 18, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RE: A Taste of Tamales by the Bay: An A-Maize-ing Benefit Event for Benchmark Institute April 13, 2008 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM Fort Mason Center, Landmark Building D Buchanan @ Marina Blvd. San Francisco, California
Tickets:	Adults $35 in advance Children under 12 $20 Purchase online at www.tamalesbythebay.org or call 415-695-9296

CONTACT: Marta Mora 415/695-9296 marta@benchmarkinstitute.org  

San Francisco's second annual tamale tasting will take place on Sunday, April 13, 2008. This exciting event will benefit Benchmark Institute, a nonprofit organization that teaches advocates in nonprofits how to use the law to help low-income communities.

"Since 1999 we have served tamales at our fundraising dinners and know how difficult it can be to find excellent, commercially prepared tamales. That experience led us to this event, to make the process easier for others. Tamales are at the tipping point of becoming the next 'in' food, popular with people from all different cultures." says Rosemary French, President of Benchmark Institute.

Guests will sample tamales from some of the finest tamale makers in Northern California, including up and coming food artists supported by La Cocina Community Kitchen. There will be a variety of tamale styles including Mexican, Yucatán, Salvadoran, and Chilean. Guests can purchase their favorites at the event to serve at home.

The event will feature other superb food and wine that complement tamales. Rancho Gordo’s outstanding new world heirloom beans will be available for tasting and purchase. All of their beans are indigenous to the Americas. Mrs. A's Famous Salsa Buena.  Mrs. A creates and markets her hot and medium salsa—a mixture of tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and vinegar, with garlic overtones.

Entertainment will include live music, demonstrations on making tamales and storytelling.  Throughout the afternoon margarita gladiators will battle for top honors in Margaritas Rock!, a margarita making challenge with prizes for the winners in Classic Margarita and Tequila Cocktail categories.

Raffles will provide opportunities to win day passes to Disneyland, a gift certificate to Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, a bag of goodies from Trader Joe's, hand crafted ceramics, tango lessons, art print and more.

Marta Mora and Marie Contreras of Benchmark Institute are coordinating the event. The two have spent time sampling the Bay Area's best tamales over the past year, and coaxing vendors to show off their best work. "We even invited a dozen friends over to help us with tamale tasting. It was fun and we learned a lot. We want the people who come to this event to have that same kind of experience." said Contreras.

Benchmark Institute, founded in 1989, is the only separately incorporated entity in the United States whose mission focuses solely on training advocates and developing the capacity of public interest legal organizations to serve the poor with competence, caring, and commitment. Benchmark Institute develops and delivers training to poverty lawyers, paralegals, and other nonprofit service providers whose work requires legal knowledge.

More than 38 million Americans live in poverty. More than one in five children is growing up poor.  Benchmark graduates use the knowledge and skills that they learn through Benchmark to address the problems of the poor and to build strong communities.  They help increase affordable housing; rescue people from homelessness; create access to health care, child care, food and income support programs; protect consumers from rip-offs, particularly vulnerable elders, immigrants and people with limited English language skills; address violence, neglect and abuse in families create jobs and prevent unemployment; integrate immigrants, people of color and people with disabilities into the work force and society at large; and enable students to get quality education

All are welcome to this second annual celebration of the tamale and benefit for Benchmark Institute.