Taste of Derby returns Thursday

Last updated: 5/4/11 3:15 PM

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:

Nicolas Bour of San Diego’s El Bizcocho (representing Del Mar): Maple
Leaf Farms Duck Rillettes with Foie Gras

Andrea Curto-Randazzo of South Florida’s Garden Cafe (Calder): Braised
Beef Short Ribs with Chorizo-Corn Tamale, Florida Orange Gremolada and Queso
Blanco

Jo-Jo Doyle of Levy Restaurants (Churchill Downs): Churchill Downs
signature BBQ shrimp

Ricky Estrella of New York’s NOBU (Belmont Park): Black cod with Miso

Troy Guard of Denver’s TAG (Arapahoe Park): Colorado lamb loin with
fruition farms sheep ricotta, bean salad and kau’u orange vinaigrette

Mark Haugen of Minneapolis’ Franklin Street Bakery (Canterbury Park):
Flourless chocolate cake with bourbon butter sauce, whipped cream and
berries

Anthony Lamas of Louisville’s Seviche (Kentucky Derby): Aji Rocoto wild
shrimp with horseradish chimichurri and pico de gallo

Nancy Longo of Baltimore’s Pierpoint Restaurant (Pimlico): Maryland
crabcakes with warm bacon and Dijon slaw

Tory McPhail of New Orleans’ famous Commander’s Palace (Fair Grounds):
Creole cream cheese gnocchi with mushroom “bacon”

Ouita Michel of Midway, Kentucky’s historic Holly Hill Inn (Keeneland):
Slow cooked Stonecross pork roast over Wesienberger white polenta with white
beans and organic greens, black jack BBQ and crispy fried onions

Carrie Nahabedian of Chicago’s NaHa (Arlington Park): Glazed Medjool
dates with Capriole Farm goat cheese, Marcona almonds and Burton’s Farm
maple syrup

Paul O’Connell of Boston’s Chez Henri (Suffolk Downs): Citrus and ahi
glazed Maple Leaf Farms duck breast with cilantro ride and Spring pea greens

Brian Polcyn of Detroit’s Forest Grill (Pinnacle): Hand crafted orange
and fennel cured copa ham with roasted red pepper, artichoke, onion and
basil salad

Kent Rathbun of Dallas’ Abacus (Lone Star Park): Molasses glazed
Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon with scrambled eggs

Nancy Silverton of Los Angeles’ Campanile and Pizzeria Mozza (Santa
Anita): Butterscotch Budino with Woodford Reserve Carmel, Crème Fraiche and
Roland Sea Salt

Aaron Stordeur of Louisville’s The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel
(Kentucky Oaks): Hazelnut Dacquoise with Blueberry Sorgum Compote (and
bourbon balls)

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.