A Taste of Tradition: Churchill Downs Racetrack Announces the Official Menu for the 151st Kentucky Derby

Acclaimed Head Chef Robert Lopez returns to serve delicious Derby staples with a bold modern twist

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Churchill Downs Racetrack ("Churchill Downs") and hospitality partner Levy Restaurants ("Levy") released the official menu for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby® presented by Woodford Reserve. Curated by Chef Robert Lopez, Senior Executive Chef for Levy and Head Chef at Churchill Downs, this year's menu is infused with locally sourced ingredients and rich southern flavors, giving guests a variety of delicious options to enjoy for the Longines Kentucky Oaks® on Friday, May 2 and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3.

This year marks Chef Lopez's second year curating the delectable race day spread, following his successful debut as Head Chef for the milestone 150th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2024, and the 24^th consecutive year Churchill Downs has partnered with Levy to elevate guests' epicurean experiences for the Run for the Roses®.

"Churchill Downs has a hospitality legacy unlike anywhere else, and it's an honor to continue building on that legacy with this year's Kentucky Derby menu," said Chef Lopez. "This year's selections pay homage to the Derby's rich food heritage while putting a contemporary spin on dishes beloved by Derby-goers over the years. My team and I are proud to support local farms and purveyors in Kentucky by sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients to create something truly special for those who come to celebrate the storied weekend."

Throughout the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs will also offer an assortment of signature cocktails for guests to sip on as they enjoy the thrill of the races. Special edition wines are available for purchase in select dining rooms.

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

The Official Kentucky Derby 151 On-Track Food Menu

Grilled Corn & Tomato Salad

Bluegrass Fields Salad

Duck Fat Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Lemon Honey Harvest Brussels Sprouts

Brown Butter Farro & Roasted Root Vegetables

Pan Roasted Chicken Breast

Old Forester Butter Shrimp & Orzo

 Slow Cooked Beef Tips with Kentucky Peppercorn Sauce

Kentucky Derby 151 Beverage Menu

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

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

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

Kendall-Jackson Kentucky Derby 151 Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast, 2022

Kendall-Jackson Kentucky Derby 151 Chardonnay Mendocino County, 2023

Kentucky Derby 151 Dining By The Numbers:

• 3,120 lbs. of brussels sprouts
• 3,000 lbs. of shrimp
• 28,730 bunches of mint
• 50,000 liters of bourbon
• 25,000 lbs. of lettuce

About Chef Robert Lopez

Chef Lopez joined Churchill Downs as the Chef and Culinary Expert for the 150^th Kentucky Derby and he will be returning for the 2025 race. As Senior Executive Chef for Levy, he oversees the culinary team at Churchill Downs. 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.

About the Kentucky Derby

The $5 million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the longest continually held major sporting event in North America and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, "The Run for the Roses®" and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®," the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. The 151st Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com. 

About Levy

The disruptor in defining the sports and entertainment hospitality experience, Levy is recognized as the market leader and most critically acclaimed hospitality company in its industry. Levy has twice been named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine, and has been honored by Forbes as a Best Large Employer, Best Employer for Diversity, and Best Employer for Women. Levy's diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants; iconic sports and entertainment venues, zoos and cultural institutions, theaters and music festivals, and convention centers; as well as the Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals, and NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS All-Star Games. For more, visit levyrestaurants.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

SOURCE Churchill Downs Racetrack