The Governor's Downtown Derby Celebration

The Official Derby Celebration Poster
My favorite Derby Day tradition happens during the morning of the first Saturday in May. For many years, the event was dubbed the "Derby Breakfast." It was held at the grounds of the Capitol and breakfast was provided by the Commonwealth to all who wanted to attend, free of charge.

Times have changed, but I think for the better! Due to budget cuts, breakfast is no longer provided. Instead, the Celebration was moved to the Old Capitol and downtown business district of Frankfort - giving local restaurants, food trucks and merchants a chance to shine!

Coordinated in large part by Downtown Frankfort, Inc., the day's activities vary widely. Bands will take the stage in front of the Old Capitol to provide entertainment. Children can participate in stick horse races and the Derby Dash race down Broadway hosted by the Frankfort YMCA. The highlight is a fun bicycle race called the Pedal for the Posies. Local business and civic leaders don ridiculous costumes and race on children's bikes to claim the trophy.

Come enjoy this free event! Bring a little cash to sample traditional breakfast fare from one of the local restaurants or foodtrucks (my favorite is the country ham biscuit from the KY Pork Producers' truck!). Stop by one of the local watering holes for a Bloody Mary or Mimosa.

Start your Derby Day off right!
/

The HerKentucky Interview with Taste of Derby Chef Stephanie Izard

When Skuna Bay Salmon contacted me about interviewing the chefs that will be representing them at Taste of Derby, I figured it would be a great opportunity to showcase a unique Derby Week event. I didn't realize it would be such a great lesson about realizing your dreams through hard work and dedication. It's been amazing to hear such accomplished chefs share both their passion for cooking and their advice for success. I so adore the message that today's chef has for professional women looking to break the glass ceiling: "It's not about your gender or race or anything like that...it is about your work ethic."

Yesterday, we talked with Denver-based chef Jennifer Jasinski. Today's interview is with Stephanie Izard, Executive Chef and co-owner of Chicago's Girl & The Goat and Little Goat restaurants. Stephanie, a Connecticut native, is a James Beard Award nominee, Food & Wine's "Top New Chef" and the winner of Season Four (and the first female winner!) of Bravo's Top Chef. Stephanie was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

HerKentucky: When did you know you wanted to become a chef? 
Stephanie Izard: I always loved to cook but did not really see being a chef as a career until I was in college at the University of Michigan. I was a sociology major and never really found anything I loved. My dad was the one that recommended I try culinary school. So I migrated south to the Scottsdale Culinary Institute for some warmer weather and to give cooking a shot. I loved everything about kitchens and restaurants. It was when I was working at La Tache for Dale Levitski that I really decided to open my own restaurant. I ran a special that sold out the same night and when another cook told me I should just open my own restaurant, I thought, Why not? So I quit and began the process of opening Scylla

HK: What flavors/ types of cuisine are your main inspiration?
SI: I really love trying different countries cuisine and trying to incorporate global flavors into my dishes. Traveling through Asia really influenced my cooking and some Asian ingredients top my list. Since it is hard to leave the restaurant to go and travel the world, I do a lot of exploration through cookbooks. 

HK: What advice do you have for women who want to become chefs?
SI: I think it is very important to just put your head down and work. A lot of people talk about kitchens being a "boys-club" but there are also a lot of women. It's not about your gender or race or anything like that...it is about your work ethic. 

HK: Tell us a little about what you'll be cooking in Louisville this week.
SI: I know I'm making salmon, but honestly as I am trying to get packed up, my mind keeps racing and now I think goat will be added to the dish!

Stephanie graciously provided us with a recipe as well -- I'm fascinated by the flavor profile in this one!

Salmon Tartare with Piri Piri

Serves 16 as an appetizer

½ cup lime juice
Skuna Bay Salmon
½ fresh Thai chili
½ bunch cilantro, thick bottom stems discarded
2 sprigs mint, picked
¼ cup canola oil
1 pound skinless salmon fillet, cut to a ¼in dice
2/3 cup hoisin sauce
3 spears white asparagus, thinly sliced on a bias
1 cup blueberries
½ cup slivered almonds, toasted
¼ cup micro sorrell

Place 16 miso spoons in the refrigerator.

Place lime juice, Thai chili, cilantro, and mint in a mini food processor. Process on high until the chili and herbs are pureed. With the processer running, add the oil. Season with salt.
In a glass bowl, toss the diced salmon with the hoisin sauce. In another glass bowl, toss the asparagus, blueberries, and almonds with the piri piri dressing. Place 1 oz of diced salmon on each miso spoon. Top with a teaspoon of asparagus salad. Garnish with the micro sorrel, serve immediately.

Thanks so much to Stephanie, Jennifer, and Skuna Bay for taking time to talk to us. Here's hoping Taste of Derby is an amazing event!!

{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post.}
/

The HerKentucky Interview with Taste of Derby Chef Jennifer Jasinski

One of the things I love most about Louisville at Derby Time is that there is always something fun to do. As Cristina told us earlier this week, there truly is something for everyone on every budget. You can watch the fireworks for free, or you can head out to the track in style. You don't even have to like racing to enjoy the steamboats and balloons, or to stop by the Chow Wagon or Taste of Derby.
I was recently contacted by the folks at Skuna Bay Salmon about  spreading the word Thursday's Taste of Derby event to HerKentucky readers. Now in its fourth year, Taste of Derby is a tasting event that brings some of Louisville's top chefs together with award-winning chefs from across the country. Skuna, an environmentally-conscious brand of Vancouver Island craft-raised salmon (and the "Salmon of Choice" for the Kentucky Derby), is showcasing chefs Jennifer Jasinski and Stephanie Izard at this event. 

Jennifer, a California native, runs three restaurants in Denver, CO -- RiojaBistro Vendôme, and Euclid Hall Bar and Kitchen -- along with her business partner Beth Gruitch. She was a James Beard Award finalist in 2012 and 2013, and is the author of the cookbook The Perfect Bite. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer about food, business and inspiration this week.


HerKentucky: When did you know you wanted to become a chef?
Jennifer: Growing up in California, I loved cooking for my family. I just always knew that I wanted to be a chef.


HK: What flavors/ types of cuisine are your main inspiration?

JJ: Our flagship restaurant, Rioja, is inspired by Mediterranean flavors. Bistro Vendome is a fusion of French, Spanish and Italian influences. It's really "California cuisine", but I don't really call it that in Denver. Euclid Hall is a craft beer hall that serves food. It's so much more than a gastropub -- we make our own sausage, we serve poutine. I'd say that the first two restaurants are more "girl" menus, and Euclid Hall is a "boy" menu.

HK: What advice do you have for women who want to become chefs?
JJ: It's really the same advice I'd give anyone: Love the Business. Love working when others aren't. Get allies, because it's hard to do on your own. 

HK: Tell us a little more about what you'll be doing in Louisville this week.
JJ: We'll be cooking Skuna Bay Salmon, which is delicious. Stephanie and I will be mentoring a couple of other chefs. And I'll be attending the Derby on Saturday. I'm really excited; I love horses and I have my hat and a pretty dress! 

HK: What wine pairings do you suggest for Skuna Bay Salmon?
JJ: I'd suggest a non-oaked chardonnay, preferably French.

Jennifer was also kind enough to provide us with a salmon recipe to try at home.

Roasted Skuna Bay Salmon, Romesco, Pine Nut Butter serves 8*

The romesco sauce always piques our guests’ interest; some are not familiar while others want to taste our take on the Spanish classic. The quality of the sweet smoked paprika is key. We source our spices from a Denver spice vendor, Savory Spice Shop.

Romesco Sauce
(yields 1 quart)

1 red bell pepper, halved, seeds and stems removed
1 yellow bell pepper, halved, seeds and stems removed
2 Fresno chile peppers
7 Roma tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup peeled garlic cloves
1/2 cup quartered red onion
1/4 cup pure olive oil
1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Pine Nut Butter
1/2 pound softened butter
1 cup pine nuts, toasted and cooled
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Assembly and Plating
Canola oil, as needed
8 Skuna Bay salmon fillet portions (about 6 ounces each)
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup speck ham (preferred) or prosciutto cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
2 cups marinated artichoke hearts, cut into quarters
3 cups asparagus batons cut on a bias (1-2 inches long), blanched
Zest of 2 lemons
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

*This recipe yields 8 entrée portions. If you are serving the dish as part of a tasting menu, cut the ingredient amounts in half.

Romesco Sauce:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a roasting pan, toss the first 6 ingredients (peppers, chiles, tomatoes, garlic, onion) with the pure olive oil and place in the 350-degree oven. Roast until tender and slightly charred. Use the garlic as a gauge for how the roasting is going. When it is golden brown, pull the veggies out of the oven.

Put the roasted vegetables and almonds through a meat grinder or pulse in a food processor (you want it chunky) and then stir in the other ingredients (extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika), seasoning to taste. Hold the sauce at room temperature if you are serving it soon; refrigerate if not.

PINE NUT BUTTER:
Blend the butter and 1/2 cup of the pine nuts in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Fold in the remaining 1/2 cup pine nuts.

ASSEMBLY AND PLATING:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat 2 large oven-safe sauté pans and 1 large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Place 2 tablespoons canola oil into each of the pans. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper and place 4 pieces into each of the oven-safe sauté pans. Cook on high heat for 3 minutes or until a golden crust forms before flipping and placing them in the 400-degree oven to roast. They may only take 2-5 minutes to finish cooking. Test doneness by pressing gently; if the fish gives slightly, it’s done. Do not overcook.

Meanwhile, add the speck strips to the third pan and cook until crispy, stirring often (2-3 minutes).

Add the artichoke hearts and asparagus to the speck. When all of the ingredients are hot, add the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from heat.

While the salmon is roasting, place 1/4 cup of the romesco sauce in the bottom of each of 8 entrée-sized bowls. Drizzle each portion with extra-virgin olive oil. Place equal portions of the artichoke/asparagus/speck mixture on top of the romesco.

When the salmon is done roasting, place in the center of the bowl. Garnish each portion with a 1/2 tablespoon of the soft pine nut butter and serve.

Chef’s Notes: The romesco sauce and pine nut butter can be made a day in advance. 

Thanks so much to Skuna Bay Salmon and Chef Jennifer Jasinski for taking time to talk to us. Check back tomorrow for an interview with Chef Stephanie Izard!

{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post.}
/

Derby Style from Vineyard Vines


As soon as you decide to attend the Derby, you start thinking of what you're going to wear. I think that's a rule that applies to most everybody. Whether you're concerned with dressing for the weather conditions, staying comfortable, or standing out in the crowd, you give it some thought. Maybe even a test run or two. 

The folks over at Vineyard Vines were kind enough to send us some photos of their 2013 Kentucky Derby Collection. I love the bright colors, preppy vibe, and fun attitude! I especially adore the neckties -- the mint juleps, fleurs de lis and silks are so perfect for anyone who loves Louisville or a trip to the track!

Mint Julep tie
Fleur de Lis
The Vineyard Vines fun doesn't stop with their clothing selections. As the Official Style of the Kentucky Derby, VV is going to be all over Louisville this weekend. Look for them at 4th Street Live!, the Barnstable Brown party, and at both Oaks and Derby. There will be plenty of swag, live entertainment, and lots of fun Derby style. There's even a tractor in a fun VV patchwork print!

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite looks from the Vineyard Vines Derby Collection:
Run for the Roses Ruffle Dress

Horseshoe Gingham Breakers Pants
What are y'all wearing to Derby this year?
{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post.}
/

W&M Custom Jewelry and Derby Week Style

As all Kentuckians know, there is no time quite like Derby. I won't go on too much about how I'll be here in North Carolina, settling for a measly two hours of Derby coverage and absolutely no local news flavor. I did not see a single Thunder firework, won't be out at the mini admiring the balloons floating overhead (although I understand the balloon race has moved to Friday since I have been gone, so I guess none of us will be doing that), have not partaken in a single chuckwagon treat.

One of the best features of Derby Week is the fashion. If you are like me, usually running around town in your yoga pants, you relish the opportunity to dress the heck up. One thing Kentuckians know is how to do it up right for Oaks and Derby. Start with a hat or fascinator, then find your dress, and don't forget to choose the perfect accessories. Speaking of perfect accessories, you need look no further than Louisville's own wonderful W&M Custom Jewelry.

If you haven't heard of W&M Jewelry (And if you haven't... WHAT? Get with it!), you can learn more about Megan Walz and Becky McClellan, the remarkable duo behind the brand, on their website or here in this article by StyleBlueprint Louisville. (By the way, I recommend the entire StyleBlueprint blog, so read through it when you have time and subscribe. My favorite amongst favorites is my dear friend Heidi, who wrote the W&M article.) Take a moment to peruse the lovely W&M website, and you will quickly discover that picking a favorite is simply not possible. Perhaps you could try to narrow down which bauble you want to get your hands on first, second, third... thirty-seventh, and so on. Here's a peek at just a few pieces that caught my eye.

Turquoise disk with silver starfish, $165

Three strand tortoise agate on gold chain, $155


Three strand peach jade on gold satin chain, $145

Two strand mint jade with removable vintage brooch, $185


Laborite and gold disk chain, $98

Gold tulips on vermeil, $59
Aqua sun drops on vermeil,  $79



Coral Enamel Rose studs $49

Gold on gold wire cuff, $95
So let's get down to business. You have The Hat. Your dress is ready to go. Do your accessories measure up to the rest of your outfit? If there are two women whom I trust to accessorize me and have a blast doing it, certainly they are Becky and Megan. I mean, just look at these lovely ladies!

Here's Megan...
photo credit: Adele Reding Phototgraphy


... and this is Becky
photo credit: Adele Reding Photography
I hope you didn't miss Christa Ritchie's feature about Becky in the Courier-Journal! In addition to that inspiration, Becky offers excellent advice for your time at the track.
  • Derby is the event where bigger is better. Big Jewelry, Big Hats, Big Fashion. This is the day where you want to show off your inner Derby Diva!
  • Don't forget it's a "Pink Out" for the Oaks. W&M's variety of stones come in many shapes, sizes, hues, and styles that allow easy incorporation into any outfit.
Megan also has some perfect style tips for this quintessential Kentucky experience...
  • Spring in Kentucky and Derby Season are such a colorful time of year. Accessorize with a big, colorful W&M necklace and pair of earrings to finish off your perfect track attire. Don't be afraid of color!
  • The perfect pairing for any fascinator are our classic tulip earrings. Not only are these the perfect match for any fascinator, but you'll get plenty of wear out of them, from the track to watching your kids' sporting events.
  • Above all, don't forget to accessorize with W&M, drink a mint julep, and pack a comfortable pair of shoes!
What's that you say? You wish someone would just give you a magnificent pair of W&M earrings to wear for Oaks or Derby or any other day? You're in luck! Becky and Megan have kindly provided us with a beautiful pair of gold peacock dangle earrings, and you can win them! (Notice that Becky is wearing a pair in her photo above.) I hereby promise in writing not to run off with them and pretend they were "lost in the mail." 

W&M Gold Peacock Earrings

Not everyone can win, however, so seek out W&M in several Louisville boutiques. For my hometown honeys, head over to Owensboro and shop at Studio Slant. I even have good news for my local North Carolina friends! You'll be pleased to know that you can find W&M at several Monkee's locations, including Charlotte, Greenville, and Wilmington. For us Raleigh girls, let's head to Monkee's of Chapel Hill. 

Since this Kentucky expat will be attending a fancy North Carolina pig pickin' fundraiser (no joke) while the Derby is taking place, I'll ask y'all to sing "My Old Kentucky Home" loudly enough for me to hear you over the Appalachians. I will also take this opportunity to point out that any piece of W&M jewelry makes an ideal Mother's Day gift. (You listening, Mr. Townsend?)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


{Drawing runs through 12 a.m. Monday, 4/29. Winner will be announced Monday morning. No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated for this post.}
/

HerKentucky Derby Days: Marley Lilly Giveaway!

Can y'all believe it? Derby is just a few days away!

Whether you consider Derby to be the greatest two minutes in sports, the most fashionable day of the year, or the one day that you put mint in your bourbon, it's the day that Kentucky shines on an international stage. Here at HerKentucky, we're getting in the Derby spirit by partnering with some incredible companies to bring you some great prizes.


Now, everybody knows that you can't do Derby without a hat, so the first giveaway of HerKentucky Derby Days is a personalized hat from Marley Lilly. How cute is this?


The Monogrammed Floppy Outline Hat will be perfect for any spring or summer activity, from the beach to the racetrack. You can personalize this straw hat by choosing among 6 different color outlines, 8 hat colors and a rainbow of monogram colors. This would be a perfect piece to wear to a Derby party!


You can enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Good luck, and Happy Derby Days!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Contest ends at Midnight on Sunday night, April 21st. Winner will be contacted on Monday, April 22. 
All opinions expressed in this post are our own. No member of the HerKentucky staff was compensated for this post.}
/

Kentucky Derby Style From Rebecca Ray Designs


A lovely lady reached out to me about her Kentucky Derby themed designs that she offers in 12 retail locations in Kentucky.   All of her designs are hand produced in the USA.  

You can check them out at www.rebeccaraydesigns.com

Perfect for gearing up for the Run for the Roses! 

/