Third annual Taste of Derby showcases 19 award-winning chefs

Third annual Taste of Derby showcases 19 award-winning

chefs

by Brisnet.com

The hottest new Kentucky Derby party continues to heat up as 19 top

international chefs announce their menu offerings and wine pairings for the

third annual Taste of Derby, the official Kentucky Derby Party of Churchill

Downs. At this celebration of cuisine and racing on May 3, eve of the Grade 1

Kentucky Oaks, guests will mingle with horse racing and Hollywood celebrities

while savoring exquisite cuisine and delectable wines from racing destinations

across the country as internationally-renowned chefs serve samples of their

regional specialties.

Taste of Derby, which attracts more than 1,250 guests, has moved to the

Louisville Executive Aviation Hangar at Bowman Field this year to accommodate

its growing demand.

Tickets are $300 and include a red carpet entry starting at 7 p.m. (EST),

food and wine tastings until 10 p.m., premium open bar until 11 p.m.,

complimentary valet service, and live entertainment by one of country's most

popular dance bands, "Burning Las Vegas."

The award-winning chefs participating in this year's Taste of Derby and their

menus are:

Chef		Affiliation		Representing		Serving		14 Hands Wine Pairings
Mussabeh Al Kaabi		Jumeirah Zabeel Saray		Dubai World Cup		Spicy Chicken Leg with Feta Cheese and a savory, tangy Arabic Sumac Cookie		Riesling
Nicolas Bour		El Bizcocho		Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, San Diego		Creekstone Farms Beef Tartare, Violet Mustard, Quail Egg		Cabernet
Cat Cora		Macy's Culinary Council		Santa Anita Park, Los Angeles		Lamb Meatball		Red Blend
Jo-Jo Doyle		Levy Restaurants		Churchill Downs, Louisville		Churchill Downs Signature Derby Bourbon Crunch and Pink Silk Ice Creams		Riesling
Tiffani Faison		Sweet Cheeks Q		Suffolk Downs		Sweet Cheeks Biscuit w/ Lobster Butter		Chardonnay
Troy Guard		TAG		Arapahoe Park, Denver		Roasted Vegetable Farro Salad, Burrata Cheese, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Yellow Beet Puree & Pistachio Crumble		White Blend
Eli Kirshtein		Top Chef		Top Chef		Jerusalem Artichoke Veloute, Black Truffle, Parmesan & Brioche		Chardonnay
Anthony Lamas		Seviche		Kentucky Oaks, Louisville		KY Sorghum Glazed Manchester Farms Quail with Tacu Tacu, Aji Rocoto & Pea Shoots		Red Blend
Nancy Longo		Pierpoint		Pimlico, Baltimore		Rappahannock River Oysters with Crab Preakness Style		White Blend
Brian Malarkey		Burlap		Top Chef		Asian Cowboy Jalapeno & San Diego Albacore Tuna with Crispy Rice and Ponzu Dipping Sauce		White Blend
Tory McPhail		Commander's Palace		Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans		Tabasco Cured Royal Red Shrimp with Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes		Riesling
Ouita Michel		Holly Hill Inn		Keeneland, Lexington		Border Springs Lamb over creamy Weisenberger grits with Ky white cheddar and wilted Three Springs salad		Cabernet
Carrie Nahabedian		NaHa		Arlington Park, Chicago		Lacquered Berkshire Pork Belly and Shaved Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese, Shaved Radish, Pea Vines and Sugar Snap Salad		Merlot
Ralph Pagano		Ten Palms		Gulfstream Park		Tacos Barbacoa, Red Onion Escabeche, Avocado and Crema		Merlot
Michael Paley		Proof on Main		Kentucky Derby, Louisville		Maple Leaf Farms Duck Sloppy Joe		Red Blend
Kent Rathbun		Abacus		Lone Star Park, Dallas		Asian Smoked Pork Steam Bun with Green Mango -Tomato slaw		Riesling
Michael Reidt		Area 31		Calder Casino & Race Course, Miami		Pork cheek & Oxtail with Rice, Beans and Smoked Mango Puree		Merlot
Bart Vandaele		Stella Artois/ Belga Cafe		Washington DC		Stella Artois Braised Creekstone Short Ribs		Stella Artois (Beer)
John Villa		Tao NYC		Belmont Park, New York City		Grilled Red Snapper with Shanghai Bok Choy and Kaffir Lime vinaigrette		Riesling

The state of Washington's 14 Hands Vineyards has been named the official wine

of Taste of Derby and will showcase its wines at each chef station with a

pairing to compliment the cuisine. In addition, 14 Hands will have a sommelier

station that will showcase a special selection of exquisite new world wines.

Additional Taste of Derby beverage partners add international flair. Stella

Artois, the official beer sponsor of Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Oaks and the

Kentucky Derby, is the number one Belgian beer in the world. The brand's

nine-step pouring ritual will be featured at the event. Brand representatives

from Kentucky's own Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky

Derby, will teach guests how to make a mint julep, and Scotland's award-winning

Hendrick's Gin will be highlighting its Cucumber Collins.

Longines, the official timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby, will showcase the

three luxurious Swiss watches that will be gifted to the winning owner, trainer

and jockey of the Kentucky Derby.

Creekstone Farms Premium Black Angus Beef will present the second annual

"Chef Showdown" at Taste of Derby where three culinary student finalists from

Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky, will compete for a $5,000

scholarship by creating a potentially award-winning dish in 20 minutes. Also,

the Kentucky Derby 138 solid-gold winning trophy is scheduled to make an

appearance.

Through the Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation, partial proceeds from

Taste of Derby will go to its new official charitable recipient,

Blessings in a

Backpack. Blessings in a Backpack is a Louisville-born charity that is

growing nationally as it fulfills its commitment to "Feeding the Future of

America."

In addition, partial proceeds of Taste of Derby go to hunger relief

organizations in areas represented by the participating chefs. In just two

years, a total of $121,000 has been contributed to hunger relief organizations

around the world through the event.

Taste of Derby is modeled after the popular Taste of the NFL, a 20-year-old

event founded by nationally known restaurateur and 2010 James Beard Foundation

Humanitarian of the Year Wayne Kostroski. Churchill Downs partnered with

Kostroski in 2010 to create Taste of Derby to expose Louisvillians and the

thousands of out-of-town guests who visit the Kentucky Derby annually to these

great racing communities across the country and the regional flavors that make

them as unique as the Derby City.

For additional event information or to purchase tickets, visit

TasteofDerby.com. Last

year's event sold out so attendees are encouraged to act quickly.