Taste of Derby returns Thursday

After its inaugural success last year, Taste of Derby returns bigger and

better on Thursday at the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center with 16

award-winning chefs from some of the country's top culinary and Thoroughbred

racing destinations: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit,

Lexington, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, San Diego,

and, of course, Louisville.

Last year, the celebration helped raise $75,000 to directly benefit hunger

relief organizations. Partial proceeds will benefit Dare to Care and other

organizations this year.

Bobby Flay, Nikki Taylor, Raven Symone, Al Roker and Jenna Wolfe are among

the famous faces that are expected to attend Thursday's second annual Taste of

Derby. Also, several horsemen with horses in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and

Kentucky Oaks (G1) are planning to attend.

This year's line-up and their savory dishes:

A welcome addition to Kentucky Derby Week festivities last year, Taste of

Derby showcases an exquisite mix of culinary flavors prepared by masterful chefs

from regions in which Thoroughbred racing is conducted.

Each station's dish is accompanied by a unique wine pairing and a racing

celebrity from each region that will join the chefs, mingle with guests and sign

autographs.

The official Kentucky Derby 137 Winner's Gold Trophy will be on display along

with the Longines watches that will be presented to the Kentucky Derby-winning

owner, trainer and jockey.

Also, Churchill Downs has partnered with the Culinary Arts Program at nearby

Sullivan University to have a student cook-off at the event in which the winner

will receive tickets to attend this year's Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. In

addition, there will be a "Creekstone Farms Burger Showdown" featuring three

students using Creekstone Premium Angus Beef products with the winner taking

home a $5,000 scholarship.

Limited tickets are still available for $275 each and include red carpet

entry, elaborate food stations, wine tastings by 14 Hands Winery, premium open

bar featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon, live entertainment by Burning Las Vegas

and complimentary valet parking. For more information and to purchase limited

Kentucky Derby and Taste of Derby ticket packages, visit

TasteOfDerby.com or

ChurchillDowns.com/Tickets.