10th Annual 'Taste of Derby' Features Nationally Renowned Chefs

Apr 26, 2019 Sara Brown Meehan

Includes James Beard Award finalist and Top Chef Winner to Highlight the Flavors of America's Racing Regions

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, April 26, 2019) – The 10^th annual Taste of Derby presented by Angry Orchard will kick off the 145^th Kentucky Derby weekend with delicious culinary experiences from award-winning chefs from U.S.’s racing regions, including Louisiana, Florida and California. The event takes place on Thursday, May 2 at the KFC Yum! Center and includes James Beard award-winners, Top Chef Alumni and chefs from the top-rated restaurants in the country.

Each year, a selection of renowned chefs from America’s horse racing regions come together to delight Taste of Derby guests with regional specialties, exquisite wine and live music. The evening also features the Sullivan University Future Chef Showdown, during which local culinary students compete for a scholarship. Taste of Derby has donated $100,000 to Sullivan’s School of Hospitality.

Taste of Derby raises funds and awareness for hunger relief organizations. To date, more than $860,000 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.

Featured chefs include:

• Top Chef 2017 winner Brooke Williamson of Playa Provision
• Churchill Downs Executive Chef David Danielson
• Atlanta Chef and Cookbook author Virginia Willis
• Stars of the Food Network Show Cajun Aces Chefs Samantha & Cody Carroll of Hot Tails
• 2019 & 2018 James Beard Best Chef Nominee Tiffani Faison Walsh of Tiger Mama in Boston
• Ferrell Alvarez of Rooster & the Till, 2018 & 2019 #1 restaurant in Tampa/Tampa Bay Times
• James Beard Award Best Chef 2013 Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace
• French Master Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel of jr's table in Cincinnati
• Bravo’s Top Chef Season 9 Finalist Lindsay Autry of The Regional Kitchen & Public House
• James Beard Best Chef Thierry Rautureau of Loulay/Luc Seattle
• Bravo’s Top Chef Season 14 runner up Shirley Chung of Ms Chi Café in Los Angeles
• Food Network’s Chopped! Champion 2012 Corey Bahr of Parish in Monroe, LA
• Jean-Paul Bourgeois of Blue Smoke in New York City
• Top Chef Master competitor Debbie Gold of Tied House in Chicago
• Michael Putnum, executive chef of the Galt House in Louisville

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

 About Churchill Downs Racetrack

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented the Kentucky Derby 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 145 ^th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 4, 2019. The track’s 2019 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 27-June 29. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships nine times. www.ChurchillDowns.com 

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