The Kentucky Derby's Chef Reveals This Year's Menu

The first Saturday in May marks one of the most iconic sporting events in America: the Kentucky Derby. Since the inaugural horse race in 1875, spectators have flocked to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, to bet, enjoy mint juleps, and wear extravagant hats.

This year’s Derby is the 149th one to be held at Churchill Downs. And every element of this Southern soiree is steeped in tradition—from the festivities to the food. We caught up with Kenneth Hardiman, the executive chef for the Kentucky Derby, to chat about what’s on the menu this year and how you can replicate the dishes and drinks at home.

Since first stepping into the role last year, Hardiman has learned a lot about catering an event of this scale. For the 2023 race, his team is expecting to feed over 200,000 guests. “This year we’ve made some tweaks to make service more efficient while still delivering on flavor,” Hardiman says.

While many dub the event “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” preparation for the Derby requires much more time.

“We started planning this year’s menu as soon as last year’s Derby ended,” he says. And according to Hardiman, the dishes being served this year are all about tradition and honoring local Kentucky ingredients.

Guest can expect to find classic Southern comfort foods with exciting upgrades. One dish Hardiman is most excited about is the mashed sweet potatoes, which are topped with bourbon-spiked brown butter and candied spiced pecans.

Sweet potatoes are a particularly nostalgic dish for Hardiman, who grew up eating them with his family in Kansas City, Missouri. This classic Southern side gets a Kentucky upgrade with local bourbon.

Beyond making an appearance in the dishes at this year’s event, you’ll also find plenty of bourbon in the cocktails. You can’t celebrate the Derby without sipping on a mint julep. Hardiman and his team prepare for the race’s signature cocktail by sourcing plenty of fresh mint.

“We’re using 1,500 pounds of mint for the cocktails alone,” Hardiman says. “That will make almost 150,000 mint juleps.”

If you’re hosting your own Kentucky Derby party at home, it’s safe to say you won’t need to buy as much mint. But you can replicate the official menu on a smaller scale by checking out the recipes on the Derby’s website.

One recipe that you should definitely make for Derby Day is the cheesy creamed corn, says Hardiman. This side combines two iconic Southern staples: creamed corn and pimento cheese. At Churchill Downs, they're using local cheddar from Kenny's Farmhouse Cheese. If you can't find this regional specialty at your supermarket, you can substitute it with your favorite medium-sharp cheddar.

If you need more Derby menu inspo, we have plenty of Southern comfort classics that deserve a spot at your party. No matter which horse you're betting on this year, you'll feel like a winner with these recipes: