Official menu for Kentucky Derby is released

"Down the stretch they come..."

You will hear that famous call as the running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, but your pants might need a stretching themselves with all the great food at Churchill Downs.

Here is the official menu of the 143rd Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands. Each year, the official menu is carefully crafted to combine the Derby's traditional Southern flavors with an inventive and progressive approach to local ingredients that results in an authentically American culinary experience. The official menu will be served to more than 22,000 guests in Churchill Downs' premium dining areas at the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6, 2017. The 2017 menu highlights fresh ingredients that have been handpicked by Churchill Downs Executive Chef David Danielson from local Kentucky farmers, dairies and purveyors. They include gem lettuces and strawberries grown on a local Aquaponics farm, Parma-style country ham from free-range hogs that graze on chestnuts and papaws in the nearby Appalachian Mountains, as well as local cheese, honey, vegetables and herbs. The ingredients needed to feed the 22,000 guests in the premium dining areas on Derby day include 1,592 pounds of baby carrots and 1,950 pounds of beef tenderloin. Pickling, bourbon-infusing and curing bring the menu to life and will add an element of surprise for guests attending the 143rd "Run for the Roses." "Local sources are vital to giving our guests with a unique experience that delivers traditional southern flavors that are also fresh and modern," said Chef Danielson. "In every bite of every dish on our menu, we want to give guests from all over the world an authentic taste of Kentucky through home grown ingredients, local flavors and true passion." To meet the demands of the ingredient-driven menus, Churchill Downs Racetrack will once again enlist the support of over 4,000 staffers, including students from the Pennsylvania Technical College to help prepare for more than 170,000 guests. The Official 143 Kentucky Derby Menu Chef's Appetizers Roasted and pickled asparagus salad Charred onion-bacon pimento cheese Poached shrimp tomato aspic Basil syrup Strawberry Caprese salad Sweet basil dressing Spinach Salad Sweet potato, blue cheese, pecan, herb buttermilk dressing Pole beans and shrimp salad Heirloom tomato, lemon, parsley Chef's Sides Oven roasted baby carrots Local honey and rosemary New potatoes Bacon and garden chives Chef's Entrees Chilled beef tenderloin Kenny's farm blue cheese, arugula Woodland Country ham Melon, burrata, pear thyme vinaigrette New York strip loin Bourbon barrel smoked, pepper crusted Chef's Desserts Bourbon Sea Salt and Chocolate Caramel Tart