Churchill Downs Racetrack Releases Official Food and Beverage Menu for Milestone 150th Kentucky Derby

Mar 15, 2024 Hayley Armstrong

Churchill Downs Racetrack and hospitality partner Levy have released the official on-track menu for the 150th 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 150th Run for the Roses® and Senior Executive Chef for Levy. This year marks Chef Lopez’s first Derby and the 23rd 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.

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