Kentucky Derby Festival

Taste of Derby Festival

Sponsored By
  • Location:
    Louisville Slugger Field

  • Event Date:
    04/25/2012

  • Time:
    5:30 - 8:30 PM

  • Tickets:
    $80 ($50 is tax deductible) Call the Dare To Care Food Bank at 966-3821.

  • Hosted By:
    Dare To Care Food Bank

  • Links:
    Dare to Care Official Website



TasteWhat's better than sampling some of Louisville's best dishes and helping a worthy cause? Not much. Perhaps that's why each year the turnout increases for the Derby Festival "Taste of Derby Festival," which will be held this year on Wednesday, April 25.  All proceeds from the event benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank. Start planning NOW to attend this spectacular event at Louisville Slugger Field.

This is the fourteenth year for the Taste of Derby Festival (and 25th year as a Taste event that supports Dare to Care Food Bank), which features signature dishes from more than 65 of Louisville's finest restaurants and beverage companies. There is also a bourbon tasting, a Bloody Mary Contest, wine tasting and a silent auction.

"This event has gotten bigger and better every year," said Brian Riendeau, Executive Director of the Dare to Care Food Bank.  In 2005, the event was expanded to include more of the concourse at Slugger Field.  "You can't find better food and drink and everybody has a great time socializing. Best of all, it helps provide meals for people who are truly in need," said Riendeau.

The Taste of Derby Festival has the feel of an upscale cocktail party, but it's open to the public - as long as tickets are still available. The participating restaurants will offer a selection of signature appetizers, entrees and dessert items. Some of the liquor vendors will feature small-batch brands not commonly available.  A Silent Auction returns to the event offering unique items from generous donors.

Dare to Care Food Bank works to achieve its vision of a Hunger Free Kentuckiana by partnering with over 300 local community partners, including Boys and Girls Clubs, the Salvation Army, churches and community centers.  Dare To Care Food Bank distributes over 13 million pounds of food - including over 3 million pounds of fresh produce - to 190,000 individuals each year.

Some of its programs include:
  • Kids' Cafe - Serving over 100,000 hot, nutritious meals to children;
  • Backpack Buddy- Providing nutritious weekend meals to over 1000 at-risk schoolchildren;
  • Patrol Against Hunger - Partnering with the Louisville Metro Police Department to deliver almost 2000 food boxes to homebound seniors; and 
  • Mobile Pantry - Delivering almost one million pounds of nutritious food directly into underserved neighborhoods.
Brown Forman Corporation sponsors this delectable affair and it is coordinated by the Dare to Care Food Bank.

All proceeds benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank.  Click here for more information about the wonderful programs of Dare to Care.

These restaurants participated in 2010:
  • Baxter Station
  • Browning's Restaurant  & Brewery
  • Corbett's An American Place
  • El Mundo
  • Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen
  • Jack Fry's
  • Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
  • L & N Wine Bar and Bistro
  • Le Relais
  • North End Cafe'
  • Seviche
  • The Irish Rover
  • The Oakroom
  • The Sweet Tooth
  • The White Oak at the Artemisia Gallery
  • Varanese