2024 Kentucky Derby Eating by the Numbers

The one hundred and fiftieth Kentucky Derby is upon us, and greater than a thousand cooks are in a Louisville kitchen making ready for the occasion. 

Derby Day is Saturday, Might 4, with celebratory racing occasions at Churchill Downs kicking off on Wednesday, Might 1 with Champions Day. And with a viewership capability of 165,000 company across the racetrack, that’s lots of people to feed.

All through the 4 days, over 20,000 bottles of Woodford Reserve Bourbon might be served, together with 20,000 items of various desserts, 10,000 kilos of smoked brisket, 9,000 kilos of shrimp, 1,000 kilos of cheese, and 1,000 kilos of mint for Mint Juleps. 

“We’re recognized for serving effectively over 100 thousand mint juleps all through the week, and this yr we most likely might be serving much more,” says Levy senior govt chef Robert Lopez, who’s overseeing the Kentucky Derby menu for the primary time, hinting at some collectible cups and particular anniversary gadgets for the enduring cocktail. He’s overseeing a kitchen employees of 1,500, plus 100 govt cooks, to arrange meals and menus for the 40 totally different meals institutions anticipated to serve over half 1,000,000 mouths at Churchill Downs throughout Derby Week. 

Diners on the Derby can select from quite a lot of culinary experiences, be it strolling as much as a concession stand for a basic Midwestern sizzling canine, sitting down at Matt Winn’s Steakhouse for a sublime three-course feast, or scoping out worldwide eateries for a sushi platter. 

“We would like individuals to stroll away with not solely reminiscences of the one hundred and fiftieth Derby, however their complete expertise, and meals and beverage drives these reminiscences that individuals carry with them for the remainder of their lives,” says Lopez. “I believe company might be extraordinarily proud of our combination of spring-forward merchandise which are each mild and refreshing. Now we have a mix of each contemporary and light-weight and savory nostalgic dishes that individuals know and love.” 

This yr’s signature Derby Menu, accessible trackwide and in a number of eating rooms and suites throughout Churchill Downs, is lush with plant-based gadgets and native merchandise.

A inexperienced pea pasta salad, Bibb Salad with bourbon poached pear and herb buttermilk dressing, nduja shrimp pasta, and brisket burnt ends with a Woodford cherry bourbon demi glaze are all on the signature menu.

“I’m very a lot wanting ahead to highlighting the custom of the Derby in addition to new spins on conventional gadgets,” says Lopez. “We’re additionally very excited to showcase lots of our native components as effectively.” Kentucky-based Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese might be discovered starring in white cheddar mac and cheese, Weisenberger’s grits are additionally a menu spotlight, plus charcuterie from Smoking Goose, pork from farms close to Louisville and numerous dairy merchandise, produce, and proteins are sourced from inside a 100-mile radius. 

“We use lots of components from native farms and purveyors to assist enhance that neighborhood and drive involvement within the Derby,” says Lopez. Because of the dimension of the occasion and needed portions, a number of small native farms could also be tapped for a similar ingredient. “Now we have nice native product and we’re serving to the neighborhood with the components in these dishes.” 

In honor of the Kentucky Derby’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary this yr, culinary surprises await, together with a particular $150 Previous Original cocktail. Although the sporting occasion has been controversial in recent times, the meals goals to please all who attend. 

“For individuals who have been right here each Derby for the final 60 years and the folks that that is their first Derby, we wish to make them really feel like they’re experiencing one thing that nobody else is, they usually’re getting one thing very unique,” says Lopez.