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Churchill Downs Racetrack Releases Official Menu for 149th Kentucky Derby

Chef Kenneth Hardiman Brings Modern Twist to Louisville Flavors for this year’s Run for the Roses®

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Last Updated on March 25, 2023 by Daily News Staff

Chef Kenneth Hardiman Brings Modern Twist to Louisville Flavors for this year’s Run for the Roses®

LOUISVILLE, Ky. /PRNewswire/ — Churchill Downs Racetrack today released the official menu of the 149th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, signaling the start of spring and the much-awaited countdown to one of the most storied sports traditions. For the second year in a row, Chef and Culinary Expert Kenneth Hardiman curated the official racetrack menu, which will feature an array of delectable dishes, serving guests visiting Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 5, and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 6.

In addition to being The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®, the Kentucky Derby is also an iconic cultural and culinary event rooted in southern tradition. While the races are undoubtedly the main attraction, the food and beverages served at the Kentucky Derby are equally as exciting. This year's menu promises to elevate classic Kentucky dishes with a fresh twist, featuring locally sourced dairy and produce items that capture the essence of Louisville's unique flavors.  "Leading the culinary team at the Kentucky Derby is one of the highest honors a chef can have, and I'm excited for the opportunity to add to the Kentucky Derby's rich culinary legacy again this year," said Chef Kenneth Hardiman, who will helm the culinary operation for track hospitality partner Levy. "Moments like the Kentucky Derby challenge and motivate us chefs to be at our best, to focus on all of the details, from the seasonal ingredients we source all the way down to the garnishes, in order to create amazing food and beverage experiences for our guests who enjoy the event in different ways."  Coinciding with the array of traditional menu items, Churchill Downs will also be pouring classic Kentucky beverages and serving up signature Kentucky Derby cocktails for all attendees to enjoy at the track.  For more information, including recipes and images for the official menu, please visit kentuckyderby.com/officialderbymenu. To learn additional details about this year's race, please visit kentuckyderby.com.  The Official Kentucky Derby 149 Food Menu  Kentucky Bibb Greens 
Seasonal berry, toasted almond, poppy seed, raspberry vinaigrette  Heirloom Grain Salad 
Sundried cherry and apricot, carrot, pepita, citrus vinaigrette  Mashed Sweet Potatoes 
Woodford Reserve Bourbon® brown butter, herb, candied spiced pecan  Cheesy Creamed Corn 
Crispy jalapeno, Kenny's Cheddar Cheese, pimento  Glazed Spring Vegetables 
Spring squash, carrot, parsnip, pomegranate seed  Seared Chicken Breast 
Local honey glaze, scallion, benne seed, citrus  Roasted Sliced Pork Loin Medallions 
Sweet Onion, green peppercorn demi-glace  Kentucky Derby 149 Beverage Menu  Old Forester Mint Julep 
Old Forester, simple syrup, fresh mint, crushed ice  Finlandia® Oaks Lily® 
Finlandia, sweet and sour, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, blackberries, lemon wedge, crushed ice  Woodford Reserve Spire
Woodford Reserve, lemonade, cranberry juice, lemon twist, ice  Herradura Horseshoe Margarita 
Herradura Silver, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, lime wheel, ice  2020 Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County  2021 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Mendocino County  Kentucky Derby Dining By The Numbers:  More than 200,000 expected dining guests in attendance
24,000 meals are expected to be served on Oaks and Derby Days in premium areas
5,000 lbs of pork will be used
2,800 gallons of dairy will be used
400 lbs of local cheeses will be used
More than 1,000 culinary and support staff will be on-site
Kentucky Derby Beverages By The Numbers:  145,000 Mint Juleps are expected to be poured
1,500 lbs of mint for Mint Juleps will be used
500 crates of blackberries will be used
24,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep Bourbon Cocktail are expected to be used
20,000 bottles of Woodford Reserve are expected to be used
About Chef Kenneth Hardiman 
Chef Hardiman has once again joined Churchill Downs as the Chef and Culinary Expert for the 149th Kentucky Derby following his inaugural year as Chef for last year's Derby. A culinary leader at Levy, the hospitality partner of Churchill Downs, with more than a decade of experience, Hardiman has created award-winning food and beverage experiences at many of the most well-known venues, including Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks. In addition to having won several prestigious culinary awards, Hardiman is passionate about helping the lives of others.  About the Kentucky Derby 
The $3 million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for three-year-olds 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 horserace in the nation. The 149th Kentucky Derby will take place on May 6, 2023. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com.   SOURCE Churchill Downs Racetrack

In addition to being The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®, the Kentucky Derby is also an iconic cultural and culinary event rooted in southern tradition. While the races are undoubtedly the main attraction, the food and beverages served at the Kentucky Derby are equally as exciting. This year’s menu promises to elevate classic Kentucky dishes with a fresh twist, featuring locally sourced dairy and produce items that capture the essence of Louisville’s unique flavors.

“Leading the culinary team at the Kentucky Derby is one of the highest honors a chef can have, and I’m excited for the opportunity to add to the Kentucky Derby’s rich culinary legacy again this year,” said Chef Kenneth Hardiman, who will helm the culinary operation for track hospitality partner Levy. “Moments like the Kentucky Derby challenge and motivate us chefs to be at our best, to focus on all of the details, from the seasonal ingredients we source all the way down to the garnishes, in order to create amazing food and beverage experiences for our guests who enjoy the event in different ways.”

Coinciding with the array of traditional menu items, Churchill Downs will also be pouring classic Kentucky beverages and serving up signature Kentucky Derby cocktails for all attendees to enjoy at the track.

For more information, including recipes and images for the official menu, please visit kentuckyderby.com/officialderbymenu. To learn additional details about this year’s race, please visit kentuckyderby.com.

The Official Kentucky Derby 149 Food Menu

Kentucky Bibb Greens 
Seasonal berry, toasted almond, poppy seed, raspberry vinaigrette

Heirloom Grain Salad 
Sundried cherry and apricot, carrot, pepita, citrus vinaigrette

Mashed Sweet Potatoes 
Woodford Reserve Bourbon® brown butter, herb, candied spiced pecan

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Cheesy Creamed Corn 
Crispy jalapeno, Kenny’s Cheddar Cheese, pimento

Glazed Spring Vegetables 
Spring squash, carrot, parsnip, pomegranate seed

Seared Chicken Breast 
Local honey glaze, scallion, benne seed, citrus

Roasted Sliced Pork Loin Medallions 
Sweet Onion, green peppercorn demi-glace

Kentucky Derby 149 Beverage Menu

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

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

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

Herradura Horseshoe Margarita 
Herradura Silver, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, lime wheel, ice

2020 Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

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2021 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Mendocino County

Kentucky Derby Dining By The Numbers:

  • More than 200,000 expected dining guests in attendance
  • 24,000 meals are expected to be served on Oaks and Derby Days in premium areas
  • 5,000 lbs of pork will be used
  • 2,800 gallons of dairy will be used
  • 400 lbs of local cheeses will be used
  • More than 1,000 culinary and support staff will be on-site

Kentucky Derby Beverages By The Numbers:

  • 145,000 Mint Juleps are expected to be poured
  • 1,500 lbs of mint for Mint Juleps will be used
  • 500 crates of blackberries will be used
  • 24,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep Bourbon Cocktail are expected to be used
  • 20,000 bottles of Woodford Reserve are expected to be used

About Chef Kenneth Hardiman 
Chef Hardiman has once again joined Churchill Downs as the Chef and Culinary Expert for the 149th Kentucky Derby following his inaugural year as Chef for last year’s Derby. A culinary leader at Levy, the hospitality partner of Churchill Downs, with more than a decade of experience, Hardiman has created award-winning food and beverage experiences at many of the most well-known venues, including Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks. In addition to having won several prestigious culinary awards, Hardiman is passionate about helping the lives of others.

About the Kentucky Derby 
The $3 million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for three-year-olds 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 horserace in the nation. The 149th Kentucky Derby will take place on May 6, 2023. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com. 

SOURCE Churchill Downs Racetrack

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Borden® Cheese Wants to Crown “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese” — and Every Vote Could Win Free Cheese for a Year

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Grilled cheese sandwich with apple slices
The Classic: Ooey-gooey and timeless

Grilled cheese is one of those rare foods that feels universal: it’s quick, comforting, kid-friendly, and endlessly customizable. You can argue bread (sourdough vs. white), spreads (butter vs. mayo), and fillings (tomato? bacon? pickles?), but there’s one truth most grilled-cheese fans agree on: the cheese is what makes the sandwich.

That’s the idea behind Borden® Cheese’s newest national campaign — a nationwide search to crown “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese.” And yes, there’s a delicious incentive: every vote is also an entry for a chance to win free Borden Cheese for a year (plus kitchen supplies to keep the melt-magic going).

How the “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese” vote works

From now through March 24, 2026, fans can head to WinFreeBordenCheese.com to vote for one of four grilled cheese contenders.

Here’s the fun part: each vote doubles as a sweepstakes entry for the grand prize — a full year’s supply of Borden Cheese and kitchen supplies.

Borden is also offering 100 instant-win swag packs, which include Borden coupons and branded merch designed to “level up” your sandwich game.

This campaign is also the kickoff to a bigger series of sandwich celebrations leading up to National Grilled Cheese Day on April 12, 2026.

Meet the contenders: four very different takes on grilled cheese

Borden isn’t just putting one “standard” grilled cheese up against another. The four options are meant to represent a range — from classic comfort to trend-driven flavor combos.

1) The Classic

The timeless, ooey-gooey grilled cheese built with Borden American and Extra Sharp Melts on buttery white bread.

If you’re a purist, this is the lane.

2) The Spicy Big Dill

Pickles are having a moment in 2026, and this sandwich leans all the way in: Borden American Singlesand Provolone Slices paired with hot and spicy dill pickleswhipped cream cheese, and ranch seasoning.

It’s tangy, spicy, creamy, crunchy — and built for trend-watchers.

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3) The Crispy Onion & BBQ

A savory, texture-forward option featuring Borden Swiss Slicescrispy fried onion strings, and a tangy BBQ sauce kick.

If you like your grilled cheese with a little “cookout energy,” this one’s calling.

4) The Mad Scientist

This is the wildcard: a grilled cheese where the bread is replaced with cheesy waffles, filled with “cheese upon cheese.”

It’s playful, over-the-top, and basically designed for anyone who believes moderation is overrated.

The bigger tease: “Borden’s Grilled Cheese of the Year”

While the public vote will determine “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese,” Borden is also building anticipation for something else: its first-ever “Grilled Cheese of the Year.”

The brand says the final recipe will be informed by culinary trends, consumer cravings, and — of course — cheese, but the details are still under wraps. The reveal is expected as part of the lead-up to National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12).

In other words: the vote is the appetizer.

  • The Spicy Big Dill Hot and spicy dill pickles and cool ranch seasoning
  • The Mad Scientist Replaces bread with cheesy waffles
  • The Crispy Onion BBQ
  • The Classic Ooey gooey and timeless
  • The Classic Ooey gooey and timeless 1

Why Borden is leaning into grilled cheese right now

Borden® Cheese has long positioned itself as a family-friendly staple — made with real milk and owned by American dairy farm families. With more than 25 distinct flavors and types, the brand is using this campaign to remind shoppers that grilled cheese isn’t just a childhood throwback; it’s a flexible, modern comfort food that can move with trends.

As Jenny Mehlman, Senior Director of Marketing, Cheese, Taste & Flavors at Dairy Farmers of America, put it: Borden is kicking off National Grilled Cheese Day early with a national call to help name “America’s Favorite,” and continuing the celebration by declaring its first-ever “Grilled Cheese of the Year.”

Want in? Here’s where to vote

If you want to weigh in (and potentially score a year of free cheese), you can vote now through March 24, 2026 at:

Whether you’re Team Classic, Team Pickle, Team BBQ, or Team Mad Scientist, this is one of those low-effort, high-reward food votes that’s actually fun.

Quick takeaway

Borden® Cheese is officially turning grilled cheese season into an event — with a national vote, instant-win swag, and a grand prize that’s basically a dairy lover’s dream.

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Now the only real question is: which contender are you voting for?

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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7 Vegetables to Grow Easily in Your Home Garden

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Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by Daily News Staff

7 Vegetables to Grow Easily in Your Home Garden

7 Vegetables to Grow Easily in Your Home Garden

(Family Features) Growing fresh, healthy vegetables at home may not be as hard as it sounds. Novice gardeners just need good dirt, easy plants to grow, lots of sunshine and the right amount of water.

Once you’ve prepared your garden plot, select one or all of these vegetables, which are among the easiest to grow:

  1. Lettuce – Plant lettuce seeds directly into the garden or a pot then repeat every two weeks. It can be cut a few weeks after planting. Some harvest lettuce by pulling it up – roots and all – but cutting a little off the top every few days can keep it growing until summer’s heat turns it too bitter.
  2. Spinach – This vitamin-packed green is planted and harvested just like lettuce.
  3. Cucumbers – Make several mounds of dirt near the edge of your garden and place 2-3 plants around the center of each. Cucumbers are notorious for growing vines that overtake other plants, so be vigilant about keeping them contained. 
  4. Squash – Like cucumbers, summer squash is planted on small mounds at the edges of a garden so their vines can be contained. Most varieties, such as yellow squash and zucchini, are quite prolific and just a few plants can feed a large family all summer long.
  5. Tomatoes – Purchase plants that grow best in your area of the country from your local garden center. All plants should be staked or enclosed in tomato cages because successful plants produce an abundance of large, heavy fruit throughout the summer months.
  6. Bell Peppers – Bell peppers are easiest to grow from plants. Space them about 1 foot apart then watch them take off with little care required. The only real trick to growing bell peppers is knowing when to harvest. If you’re growing red, orange or yellow varieties, they’ll start out green then turn color as soon as they ripen.
  7. Carrots – Dig a long, shallow trench in soil that is free of rock. Sprinkle the seeds along the row, cover lightly with topsoil and wait for the top of the carrot to pop through the soil. Once a bit of orange appears, pull and enjoy.

Find more tips for growing a bountiful garden at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

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Food and Beverage

A Taste of Lunar New Year in Guangdong: What to Eat, According to Consuls General in Guangzhou

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If you’re spending Lunar New Year in Guangdong, there’s one place the celebration is guaranteed to be loud, colorful, and unforgettable: the dinner table.

A report from South highlights how food anchors Lunar New Year celebrations across Guangdong and shares a must-try list curated by Consuls General in Guangzhou for visitors wondering what to eat.
Consuls General in Guangzhou share their top food picks for celebrating Lunar New Year in Guangdong’s Year of the Horse.

A new report shared via PRNewswire from South spotlights how food anchors New Year traditions across the province—and offers a simple guide for international visitors wondering what to order, try, or look for while the festivities are in full swing.

The report notes that it’s the Year of the Horse, and that the Lunar New Year spirit is sweeping across Guangdong, with seasonal dishes and shared meals taking center stage.

Why Guangdong’s New Year celebration is all about food

In Guangdong (home to Cantonese cuisine and a deep culture of banquet-style dining), New Year meals aren’t just about eating—they’re about togetherness, symbolism, and starting the year on a high note.

The report emphasizes that food has long been at the heart of the region’s holiday celebrations, making it one of the easiest (and most delicious) ways for visitors to connect with local culture.

A must-try list curated by Consuls General in Guangzhou

The hook here is the source of the recommendations: the report promises an “ultimate must-try list” handpicked by Consuls General in Guangzhou—a diplomatic, international lens on what’s worth tasting during the holiday.

While the PRNewswire version points readers to the full list in the original report, the takeaway is clear: if you’re in Guangdong for Lunar New Year and want to eat like you’re part of the celebration, this guide is meant to help you start.

What to do next if you’re visiting

If you’re traveling through Guangdong during the holiday stretch, a few easy ways to use this kind of list:

  • Ask restaurants what their Lunar New Year specials are
  • Look for dishes meant for sharing (the New Year table is rarely a solo experience)
  • Try something seasonal you wouldn’t normally order—New Year is when many families go all-in

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Source: PRNewswire

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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