Kentucky Derby-Pie®
The most famous dessert of the Kentucky Derby!
Perhaps the most iconic of all Kentucky Derby dishes is the Derby-Pie®; in fact, Derby is right there in the pastry’s name! Served warm or cool, with ice cream, whipped cream, or all by itself, Derby-Pie® is one of those treats that you just can’t pass up. The signature mix of chocolate chips and walnuts, the oh-so-light filling, the flaky pastry. Every time you take a bite, you feel like a cross between an amateur chef and a detective: Is that a taste of bourbon? Or maybe vanilla? No, it’s got to be a high-rye bourbon; the tartness will offset the sweetness of the chocolate…
Of course, the secrets of Derby-Pie® are closely guarded by Kern’s Kitchen, a family-owned company here in Louisville. The story goes that, in the early 1950s, George Kern was managing the restaurant at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, KY, just outside of Louisville. With the help of his parents, Walter and Leaudra Kern, George came up with a signature dessert for the restaurant. Once the recipe was perfected, the Kerns needed a great name for their creation, which combined the flavors of a chocolate chip cookie and a nut pie. So, they wrote several suggestions on slips of paper, and threw those into a hat. The winning name was, of course, Derby Pie, a reference to the big horse race just a few miles down the road. Soon, the Kerns were met with so many copycats of their delicious dessert that, in 1968, they filed for federal trademark protection of the term Derby-Pie®.
The Melrose Inn is long gone, having closed its doors in 2000, but the Kern’s Kitchen company is going strong, selling their delicious pies in restaurants and retailers throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. For over fifty years, Derby-Pie® has been the taste of the Kentucky Derby for Kentuckians who are way too young to place a bet or order a mint julep, who miss their Old Kentucky Homes, or for those attending parties en route to the Derby. We may not know exactly what’s in a Derby-Pie®, but we know it tastes like Derby Season!
Why Do We Wear Hats to the Kentucky Derby?
Did you ever wonder why we wear elaborate hats to the Kentucky Derby? Well, the history of the Kentucky Derby goes back to the Derby Stakes in Britain, known here in the States as the Epsom Derby. The Epsom Derby was first run in 1780 and is the highest-purse horse race in Britain.
In 1873, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. visited Europe, taking in the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. He returned home to Louisville and organized the race now known as the Kentucky Derby, looking toward these races for inspiration for track design, race length and other details. When the Kentucky Derby began in 1875, Kentucky ladies wore their finest to the races, just as their British counterparts did. Of course, in those days, finery included a chapeau, and the tradition stuck.
Kentucky Derby 1938. via The Huffington Post.
These days, a Derby Hat is the first thing most ladies look for when they make place for the big race. Kate Welsh, co-owner of The Hat Girls, the Official Hat Designers of the Kentucky Derby Festival, says "Sixty percent of our business is custom work, which wasn’t in our original business plan. We find that, typically, a lady wants to pick out her clothes around the hat. Others want a custom design made from dresses they’ve already picked out."
Of course, there's a fine line between a dramatic hat and one that's too comfortable for race day wear. Kate Welsh says "We’re very honest with customers about what works for them. People try the hats on, and they don’t always realize that an adjustable hat brim only helps them so much. As designers, we try to limit how many feathers or sequins we add to the hat so thatit’s not sagging down into the customer’s face."
Rachel Bell, Ms. Welsh's Hat Girls partner, notes that their designs do strike a balance between practicality and flair. "But, at the same time, the hat usually is the focal point of the outfit."
Kate Walsh of The Hat Girls shows a hat that was custom-made to match a client's Derby Dress.
Whether your preferred look is a practical fascinator or a show-stopping chapeau, you can thank the Derby's English roots -- and especially Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr's trip to Epsom -- for the tradition of Kentucky Derby Hats.
Want to learn more about the Kentucky Derby's history? Download The Kentucky Derby by Bill Doolittle, now in eBook format, on Amazon or iBooks.
The Summit at Fritz Farm
The Summit at Fritz Farm is finally here, y'all! I'm pretty excited about the stores and restaurants that are opening today, as well as those that will be here soon! The Summit at Fritz Farm is going to be such a great addition to the Lexington shopping scene. I love that the Summit will have a great mix of national retailers like Ariat, Brooks Brothers, and Pottery Barn along with local shops like Morton James and Sheila Bayes Jewelers. And, of course, there's an Alumni Hall for all your UK gear needs. If you're like me, you can't get enough UK gear. Ever.
All UK gear c/o Alumni Hall
I also love that the Summit is a mixed-use development, combining apartments, retailers, and restaurants. Back in my Lexington days, in grad school and my first couple of jobs, I lived in an apartment complex on Nicholasville Road, and I had to get in the car to go everywhere. Twenty-five year-old Heather is totally jealous that, less than half a mile away, there's an apartment building that will eventually house a Starbucks, a food hall, and a Whole Foods!
The stores at the Summit are going to be fabulous. As y'all know from my Instagram, I'm all about Vineyard Vines tees, and their pajama pants are so wonderful that I'll probably have to include them in the acknowledgment section when my book is finished.
Oaks Lilly t-shirt c/o Vineyard Vines
And there are a couple of my favorite Nashville spots opening at The Summit, too! Draper James has the cutest tees and dresses, and Edley's Barbeque just fills the 12 South area with a delicious, smoky aroma that makes shopping more fun!
I can't wait to see y'all at The Summit at Fritz Farm's First Look today. Keep an eye out for great pop-up shops, Steel City Pops and KY for KY, and more!
(This post was sponsored by Summit at Fritz Farm. All opinions are my own.)
Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Party
Catstudio Kentucky Derby dish towel from High Street Fly. | Woodford Reserve julep cup from Woodford Reserve Gift Shop. | Kentucky Derby 143 Official Mint Julep Glass | Louisville Stoneware julep cups from Maker's Mark and Buffalo Trace Distilleries.
The mint julep is the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. It's also one of the most maligned and misunderstood. A julep can be a lovely and refreshing cocktail when you use good bourbon, a fresh simple syrup and just-picked mint sprigs.
The first step to a great julep party is variety. Set up tasting stations so your guests can sample juleps made from different bourbon expressions. It's a great way to determine how the drink works for your palate. Some folks swear a julep needs to be in the traditional silver cup, others want a traditional Derby Glass, and some of us love the feel of a Louisville Stoneware Julep Cup. (The Stoneware cups are my favorite because they keep your drink cold without the condensation of a metal cup!
Bar towels from Maker's Mark and Woodford Reserve Distilleries. Rose garland from Etsy seller thekindpilot.
You're bound to have some guests who don't want a julep -- there's always that Kentuckian -- so stock some bourbons and ryes that are good for sipping or for making other, less Derby-approved cocktails.
Decorate with red roses and horseshoes and serve a couple of traditional munchies. I like a Derby Pie® and some Benedictine sandwiches cut in fun shapes!
To learn more about the mint julep, visit the Kentucky Derby Book website, where you'll see a video of Woodford Reserve's Chief Entertainment Officer Tim Laird making the perfect mint julep and read more about the classic mint julep cocktail with Woodford Reserve Master Taster Elizabeth McCall.
The Kentucky Derby by Bill Doolittle is a wonderful companion to the Greatest Two Minutes in Horse Racing. The book's Digimarc technology allows you to experience live video of Derby races, Derby fashion, and traditions like the mint julep directly on your smartphone! You can buy the hardback coffee table book here, or you can download the eBook from Amazon or iTunes.
(This post was sponsored by the Kentucky Derby Book. All opinions are my own.)
Vineyard Vines is Coming to Lexington!
Preppy lifestyle brand Vineyard Vines is opening a brand store in Lexington!
Have y'all heard that Vineyard Vines is opening a store in Lexington?
I was pretty excited to hear this, as Vineyard Vines makes some of my very favorite t-shirts, baseball caps, and pajama pants on the planet. They always have such fun designs, especially the Kentucky Derby line! Vineyard Vines is, as you probably know the official style of the Kentucky Derby. I've always thought that was a perfect fit, because the VV slogan is Every Day Should Feel this Good, while here in Kentucky, we think that Every Day Should Feel Like Derby!
I love the Oaks Lilly and Derby Mint Julep shirts! I've had so much fun wearing these during the pre-Derby season. (Please note that the julep shirt is a men's style; I just couldn't pass it up!)
Oaks Lilly shirt c/o Vineyard Vines; Mint Julep is my own. What a fun way to get ready for Derby Festivities!
Lexington's Vineyard Vines store will open at The Summit at Fritz Farm this Thursday, April 27th! I hope to see you at the First Look events on Thursday!
(This post was sponsored by The Summit at Fritz Farm and Vineyard Vines; all opinions are, as always, my own.)
Draper James Horseshoe Key Fob
If y'all are anything like me, you're loving all things equestrian and mint julep this spring. I mean, Derby is basically Louisville's own three-week carnival season; why shouldn't we dress like it?
A few of y'all asked about the Draper James Horseshoe Key Fob I posted on Instagram yesterday. I love to switch out fobs, or "charms," as I like to think of them, on my bag to keep it fresh with the season. The horseshoe is perfect for Derby time. You can find it here, and there are also some great new Lexington and Kentucky-themed products that have dropped on the Draper James site this morning. I seriously want them all! (Click here, and you'll receive $20 off your Draper James online order!)
If you want to celebrate The Horse Racing Capital of the World (and what I consider the prettiest town in America!), The Lexington Horseshoe Key Fob is now available to pre-order, celebrating the upcoming opening of the store at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
These Lexington Cocktail Napkins would be the perfect hostess gift for a Lexingtonian or a Lexington expatriate who misses home!
And how perfect are these mint julep paper coasters for a Derby party?
Happy week before Derby week, y'all!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Ariat International Brand Shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm
Ariat International's equestrian style brand shop is coming to Lexington!
Photo courtesy Ariat.
I am so excited that Ariat is opening a brand shop at The Summit at Fritz Farm!
I recently had the opportunity to preview some pieces from Ariat's Two24 footwear line, and y'all are just going to love them! Two24 pays homage to Ariat's equestrian heritage - both English and Western riding wear -- in a fashion-forward line for everyday use. Y'all, the craftsmanship on these products is amazing. The leather feels amazing, and you can see the difference that handcrafted design makes!
I recently got a peek at these Ariat Two24 men's boots at a Keeneland event.
In keeping with Ariat's equestrian heritage, the Two24 line's name is a nod to Secretariat's world record 2:24 running time at the Belmont Stakes. In fact, Ariat's brand name is derived from the legendary "Big Red" horse. Now, any horse lover can tell you that Secretariat's success was due to a visionary woman, his breeder and owner Penny Chenery. The Ariat brand was founded in the early 1990s by resourceful women who wanted to revolutionize riding boots for comfort and performance. Now, with the Two24 line, Ariat brings their designs to everyday footwear.
“Ariat is named after one of the greatest thoroughbred racehorses of all time, Secretariat. His heart was outsized, and he was a fierce competitor who loved to run – everything we aspire to be as a company and brand,” said Beth Cross, President and CEO Ariat International, Inc. “To be able to open a brand shop in historic Lexington, the horse racing capital of the world, is special. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the greater Lexington community.”
It really is a perfect fit!
Ariat Two24 ladies' footwear.
The Ariat Brand Shop opens this Thursday, April 27th, at The Summit at Fritz Farm on Nicholasville Road in Lexington. I hope to see y'all there!
(This post was sponsored by Ariat International; all opinions are my own!)