The 152nd Kentucky Derby’s Real Lineup? Tons of Food (Literally) and Star Chefs

Believe it or not, we're less than two months away from the 152nd Annual Run for the Roses. The Kentucky Derby is all set for May 2nd and so is the line-up.

Now, when I say "line-up," I certainly don't mean the 20 thoroughbreds. They won't be announced until April 25th. I'm talking about the menu and the celebrity chefs who will descend upon Louisville in two months to wow the crowd with their culinary genius.

Churchill Downs Announces Kentucky Derby Menu

Earlier today, Churchill Downs lifted the silver cloche on the delectable menu items patrons will enjoy on the first weekend of May.

Churchill Downs' hospitality partner, Levy Restaurants, as is typical, will offer rich tradition sprinkled generously with contemporary flavor, literally and figuratively. Seasonal ingredients from area farms will be in the spotlight, mixed in with some of your favorite Derby trademarks.

The Kentucky Derby Menu

Nobody's going away hungry after a food order that includes 5,000 pounds of short ribs, 4,000 pounds of shrimp, 6,000 pounds of carrots, and 50,000 blackberries. (Oh, will there be cobbler? It's mighty southern.)

Menu items include caprese sandwiches, Kentucky BBQ shrimp, the aforementioned short ribs, honey bourbon grilled chicken (bourbon at the Derby...imagine), plus an assortment of gourmet salads and sides. And yes, there will be signature cocktails.

Mint juleps all the way around. (Unless you want a horseshoe margarita.)

Kentucky Derby Celebrity Chefs

Louisville native and Food Network Celebrity Chef Damaris Philips will be joined by pitmaster Rodney Scott, a judge on Food Network's BBQ Brawl; food hall and restaurant consultant Akhtar Nawab; Top Chef winner Tristen Epps; Top Chef competitor, restaurateur, and cookbook author Fabio Viviani; cookbook author and owner of New York City's Piggyback NYC and Pig & Khao, Leah Cohen; and Lorena Garcia, also a cookbook author who's appeared on Top Chef Masters and America's Next Great Restaurant, as well as shows on Telemundo and Univision.

Now, that's some kind of a line-up, and that on-track menu will play a huge role in what figures to be an amazing 152nd Kentucky Derby.

(Picking the winning horse will also be pretty amazing; good luck.)