Roster announced for Taste of Derby

The perfect Kentucky Derby appetizer returns May 3 as Churchill Downs stages

its third annual Taste of Derby -- a celebration of cuisine and racing on the

eve of the Kentucky Oaks. Taste of Derby attendees will mingle with horse racing

and Hollywood celebrities and savor exquisite cuisine and delectable wines from

racing destinations across the country as nationally-renowned chefs serve

samples of their regional specialties.

The hottest new Kentucky Derby party, which attracted more than 1,000 guests

a year ago, moves to the Louisville Executive Aviation Hangar at Bowman Field in

2012 to accommodate its growing demand. Tickets to the May 3 Taste of Derby --

the Official Kentucky Derby Party of Churchill Downs -- are $300 and include a

red carpet entry starting at 7 p.m. (EDT), food and wine tastings until 10 p.m.,

premium open bar until 11 p.m., complimentary valet service, and live

entertainment by one of Nashville's hottest dance bands, Burning Las Vegas.

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

include Brian Malarkey and Eli Kirshtein, alumni of Bravo TV's "Top Chef"

series; Nancy Longo of Baltimore's Pierpoint Restaurant; Carrie Nahabedian of

Chicago's Naha Restaurant; Kent Rathbun of Dallas' Abacus; Troy Guard of

Denver's TAG; Musabbeh Al Kaabi of Dubai's Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel; Ouita

Michel of Midway, Kentucky's Holly Hill Inn; Jo-Jo Doyle of Churchill Downs'

Levy Restaurants; Anthony Llamas of Louisville's Seviche Restaurant; Michael

Paley of Louisville's Proof on Main; Tory McPhail of New Orleans' Commander's

Palace; Nicolas Bour of San Diego's El BiZCOCH and Bart Vandaele of Washington

D.C.'s Belga Café for Stella Artois.

For a complete listing of participating chefs, additional event information

or to purchase tickets, visit the event Web site at

www.TasteofDerby.com.

Last year's event sold out so attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets

early.

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

Taste of Derby wine sponsor and will showcase its wines at each chef station

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

sampling station that will showcase a special selection of exquisite new world

wines.

"14 Hands wines hold universal appeal," 14 Hands winemaker Keith Kenison

said. "From the beginner to the more cultivated palate, our wines deliver rich,

bold flavors harnessed from the plush terroir of eastern Washington. Taste of

Derby offers a prime opportunity for us to demonstrate 14 Hands' immense

versatility."

Additional Taste of Derby beverage partners add international flair.

Award-winning Hendrick's Gin is crafted in Scotland and 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. Kentucky's own Woodford

Reserve, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, will serve as the bourbon

sponsor for Taste of Derby. Also, 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 will compete for

scholarships by creating a potentially award-winning dish in 20 minutes.

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."

"Blessings in a Backpack is proud of our partnership with Churchill Downs and

the extraordinary Taste of Derby," Blessings in a Backpack founder Stan Curtis

said. "Because of this powerful partnership and what it stands for, many

American school children are going to have better nutrition in their lives."

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 the perfect beginning to a weekend of exciting

Thoroughbred racing matched with great food, fun, friends and philanthropy,"

said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "We look forward to

welcoming our local fans and out-of-town friends alike."