Eighth Annual 'Taste of Derby' Brings Delicious Start to Derby Weekend

May 03, 2017 Churchill Downs Communications

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Wednesday, May 3, 2017 – Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today that the eighth annual Taste of Derby, presented by Stella Artois, will kick off Derby weekend with flavor and style on Thursday, May 4 at the KFC Yum! Center.

Taste of Derby gives guests the opportunity to mingle with horse racing celebrities as they savor an evening of exquisite cuisine, exceptional wines and refreshing Stella Artois. Guests will sample regional specialties with wine pairings, created by nationally renowned and award winning chefs from around the country as they enjoy live music entertainment and the Sullivan University Future Chef Showdown.

Featured chefs include:

• James Beard Award Winning cookbook author Virginia Willis

• Top Chef winners Brook Williamson, of Playa Provisions in California, and Jeremy Ford

• 2017 James Beard Award nominees Michael Gulotta (MoPho & Maypop) for “Best Chef: South” and Kevin Johnson (The Grocery Charleston) for “Best Chef: Southeast”

• Top Chef contestant and Louisville Local, Executive Chef/Owner of NULU’s Decca, Annie Pettry

• David Danielson, Executive Chef at Churchill Downs

• Notable pastry chef, chocolate maker, cookbook author and TV personality Johnny Iuzzini

• Top Chef alum and guest judge on Master Chef Mexico, Katsuji Tanabe of Mexikosher in NYC & LA

• Victor Scargle, Atelier Fine Food and Catering in Napa Valley, CA

• Tampa’s Chad Johnson from Haven Restaurant and Elevage at the Epicurean

• Kelly English, The Magnolia House at Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Restaurant Iris and Second Line in Memphis

• Owner of OddFellows Ice Cream Brooklyn and EMPIRE mayonnaise, Sam Mason

• Culinary Director for the Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island, Whitney Otawka

• Rising Star Chef and French Laundry alum, Palm Beach’s Josh Thomsen

Taste of Derby presented by Stella Artois raises funds and awareness for hunger relief organizations. To date, over $772,912 has been contributed to hunger relief locally and around the country in regions where participating chefs are located. Dare to Care Food Bank will return again as the beneficiary of this year’s event.

As the Official Beer Sponsor of Churchill Downs, presenting sponsor Stella Artois is honored to host you at Taste of Derby. Only Stella Artois, with its 600-year Belgian heritage, full flavor, and unique chalice, can elevate any occasion from ordinary to extraordinary.  Come relax, enjoy a perfectly poured chalice of Stella Artois, and feel inspired to host your own unforgettable occasions.

The state of Washington’s 14 Hands Winery returns as a Gold Plate Sponsor of Taste of Derby and will showcase its 14 Hands Limited Release 2014 Kentucky Derby® Red Blend, a one-of-a-kind wine experience created specifically to commemorate its proud partnership with the Kentucky Derby. To showcase the winery, 14 Hands created a virtual reality experience which will allow attendees to witness the magnificent scenery and surroundings of Eastern Washington where 14 Hands calls home in addition to exploring the tasting room and hearing the winemaker’s philosophy to crafting the wines. In addition to several 14 Hands wines being poured and paired with the signature dishes, including the new limited production 14 Hands Rosé wine, several of the brand’s specialty “The Reserve” wines will be featured at the 14 Hands lounge and wine bar as well.

Taste of Derby is featuring LaCroix sparkling waters. LaCroix, the fastest growing natural sparkling water brand in the U.S., serves as a healthy and naturally delicious alternative to artificially-sweetened beverages. Derby fans will be invited to sample a variety of refreshing LaCroix flavors along with Orange Mimosa and LaPom Punch (non-alcoholic) mocktails made with LaCroix.

Additional Taste of Derby partners include Kentucky’s own Woodford Reserve, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, which will allow guests to sample A Woodford Reserve cocktail and get Derby entertaining tips from Chief Entertaining Officer Tim Laird.

The Swiss watch brand Longines, the Kentucky Oaks Title Partner and the Official Timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby, is a sponsor of the event.

Additionally, Lipton Pure Leaf Tea House Collection is a Taste of Derby sponsor.

For a full list of participating chefs, tickets or to learn more about the event, visithttps://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/derby-week/tas….

About Churchill Downs Racetrack

Churchill Downs Racetrack, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race the Kentucky Derby continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 6, 2017. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships eight times and is scheduled to host again in 2018.www.churchilldowns.com. 

About Stella Artois

Stella Artois® is part of a Belgian brewing tradition dating back to 1366. It is the number one Belgian beer in the world and is present in over 80 countries. Stella Artois® is a bottom filtered, blonde pilsner. It is thirst quenching with a malty middle and crisp finish delivering a full flavor and a hint of bitterness. Stella Artois® is best enjoyed served between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius and should be served in the unique Stella Artois® Chalice according to the 9-Step Pouring Ritual to guarantee a perfect experience of this gold standard lager.  Visit www.stellaartois.com for more information.

About 14 Hands

14 Hands wines are inspired by the spirit of the wild horses that once roamed the arid landscape of eastern Washington. It was here that these special horses – measuring a scant '14 hands' tall – developed their legendary endurance, strength, and tenacious spirit. Like these wild horses, the vineyards struggle in the same harsh conditions of eastern Washington. It is their ability to thrive in this environment that produces the world-class quality fruit that goes into each bottle of 14 Hands. Learn more at 14hands.com.

About Brown-Forman

For more than 145 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s & Cola, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Canadian Mist, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Early Times, Chambord, BenRiach and GlenDronach. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by nearly 4,600 employees and sold in approximately 160 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visithttp://www.brown-forman.com/

About Longines

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.

About LaCroix

LaCroix® Sparking Water, the fastest growing natural sparkling water brand in the U.S., serves as a healthy and naturally delicious alternative to artificially-sweetened beverages. LaCroix’s 20 flavors, including newly introduced Tangerine and LaCroix Curate and LaCroix NiCola are flavored with a hint of natural fruit essence. Produced in the U.S., LaCroix boasts a lower carbon footprint than imported sparkling waters. LaCroix is part of the National Beverage family of iconic brands.