Chef Lopez Celebrates Classic Derby Traditions …

Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs

… with Unique and Seasonally Inspired Southern Dishes

Churchill Downs Racetrack Releases Official Food And Beverage Menu For Milestone 150^th Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs Racetrack and hospitality partner Levy have released the official on-track menu for the 150^th running of the Kentucky Derby® presented by Woodford Reserve. Guests at the track for Longines Kentucky Oaks® on Friday, May 3 and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4 will enjoy bespoke food and beverage experiences that pay homage to and celebrate this global entertainment event.

This year’s menu was created by Chef Robert Lopez, head chef for the 150^th Run for the Roses® and Senior Executive Chef for Levy. This year marks Chef Lopez’s first Derby and the 23^rd consecutive year Levy has partnered with Churchill Downs to deliver world-class hospitality for the legendary race weekend. 

Under Levy, Chef Lopez has led culinary teams at prestigious horse racing venues across the country, as well as storied ballparks and iconic entertainment events. He now brings his expertise and an inspired new perspective to the dining scene at Churchill Downs, creating a menu that fuses Southern specialties and vibrant spring flavors, making for a culinary experience that will be as thrilling as the historic race itself. 

“Any chef who’s created culinary experiences in a sports and entertainment venue dreams of the opportunity of the Kentucky Derby,” Chef Lopez said. “This event has an unmatched taste tradition built on contributions from so many incredible chefs. 150 will never happen again, so our approach in creating the menu was to elevate the classics and take advantage of the wealth of seasonal ingredients in our community and region. We sourced local ingredients like asparagus, peas, bourbon, and cherries to strike a balance between rich, bold flavors of iconic Southern staples and the freshness of spring. My team and I are incredibly excited for guests to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience in every bite.”

In addition to the signature menu items, Churchill Downs will be offering an array of other delectable bites and pouring classic beverages and staple Kentucky Derby cocktails for all attendees to enjoy at the track.

For more information, including recipes and images for the official menu, please visit  https://www.kentuckyderby.com/official-derby-menu. To learn additional details about this year’s race, please visit https://www.kentuckyderby.com/.  

The Official Kentucky Derby 150 On-Track Food Menu

Spring Pea Pasta Salad
Locally grown English peas, pecorino cheese, country ham, green onions

Spring Panzanella Salad
Lemons, English cucumber, scallions, sugar snap peas, croutons, asparagus, feta cheese

My Old Kentucky Bibb Salad
Bosc pears, toasted walnuts, blue cheese crumbles, red onion, chives, herbed buttermilk dressing

Herbed Gournay Wiesenberger Grits
Chicken stock/broth, roasted corn, Boursin cheese, green onion, Kenny’s cheddar cheese

Roasted Cauliflower & Brussel Spouts
Garlic cloves, red onion, peppadew peppers

Bourbon Cherry Brisket Burnt Ends
Veal demi-glace, cherry juice, cherry preserves, Levy BBQ sauce, Woodford Reserve Bourbon®, fried onions 

‘Nduja Shrimp Pasta
Dry white wine, crushed tomatoes, lemon zest

Kentucky Derby 150 Beverage Menu

Old Forester Mint Julep
Old Forester, simple syrup, fresh mint, crushed ice

Finlandia® Oaks Lily®
Finlandia, sweet and sour, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, blackberries, lemon wedge, crushed ice

Woodford Reserve Spire
Woodford Reserve, lemonade, cranberry juice, lemon twist, ice

Herradura Horseshoe Margarita
Herradura Silver, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, lime wheel, ice

Kendall-Jackson 2021 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

Kendall-Jackson 2022 Mendocino County Chardonnay

Kentucky Derby Dining By The Numbers:

• 20,000 pieces of assorted desserts
• 10,000 lbs. of smoked brisket
• 9,000 lbs. of shrimp
• 1,000 lbs. of cheese
• 1,000 lbs. of mint for Mint Juleps
• 24,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep Bourbon Cocktail expected to be used
• 20,000 bottles of Woodford Reserve expected to be used

About Chef Robert Lopez
Chef Lopez joined Churchill Downs as the Chef and Culinary Expert for the 150^th Kentucky Derby. As Senior Executive Chef for Levy, he oversees Churchill Downs and Matt Winn’s Steakhouse. As a culinary leader for Levy, Lopez has dished out incredible elevated food and beverage experiences for fans at NBA arenas, MLB ballparks and F1 Grand Prix. For the 150^thDerby, he brings his one-of-a-kind racetrack bites and fresh spin on classic Kentucky flavors to ring in this pivotal year at Churchill Downs.