Kentucky just kicked off its two week Derby Festival on Saturday with Thunder Over Louisville, a glorious fireworks show. The Kentucky Derby, thoroughbred horse racing’s most famous event, will be held on May 5th. If you’ve never celebrated to foods of the Kentucky derby - this is your year.

ChefsLine Chef Sara Gibbs has spent the past 15 years as a Louisville resident and restaurant chef. With every derby season, she has enhanced classic dishes with her own spin - to the applause of literally thousands. Louisville food editor, Sarah Fritschner, is the author Derby Start to Finish, the most definitive cookbook celebrating authentic Derby foods. Together, our Kentucky food jockeys will help us explore one of our nation’s most exciting food regions.

Please take a peek at our exclusive Kentucky Derby Menu, a collection of authentic party foods. Visit us everyday for the stories behind the dishes on the ChefsLine.com blog. Our compatriots in Kentucky will be enjoying this Derby food, certainly on more than one occasion, at festival events, neighborhood celebrations, and even at late seatings at favored restaurants. Although Chef Sara will be preparing her party dishes for visiting dignitaries next week, you certainly do not have to be royalty to enjoy the humble and delectable foods of the bluegrass state.

The Ultimate Kentucky Derby Party Menu

Appetizers:
Watercress Benedictine Dip with Roasted Asparagus
Hot Brown Quesadillas

Cocktail:
Mint Juleps

Main Course:
Sarah Fritschners Kentucky Burgoo

Desserts:
Winner’s Circle Pie
Sweet Cornmeal Cake
Bowl of Bourbon Whipped Cream

Let’s “post” our first winning recipe, the famous Burgoo, because there will be leftovers!