Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Hail to the Chefs: Celebrity kitchen kings and prominent Kentucky-based chefs
team up for a series of gourmet dinners during the games.

 

SOME of Kentucky’s top chefs will join forces with great culinary minds from throughout the nation this fall for Cookin’ in the Bluegrass: A Celebrity Chef Dinner Series. The dinner series will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10. The series is a partnership of the Games, the James Beard Foundation and the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation. 

The dinners will feature celebrity chefs, many of whom are James Beard House Award winners, and local or Kentucky based chefs cooking side-by-side.

The Kentucky Horse Park, one of the world’s leading equestrian facilities, will open its charming Farmhouse to host the nightly dinners for the duration of the Games. Each night, 80 guests will enjoy dining experiences that replicate the sumptuous dinners held at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City. Sponsors include the Kentucky Proud
Program (funded in part by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund and administered by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture), dedicated to marketing Kentucky-made or -grown food products.

From local farms to brewers, distillers, growers and cheesemakers, Kentucky Proud represents an array of products distributed locally, throughout the United States and around the globe. Kentucky Proud will facilitate the use of fresh, locally-grown ingredients each night of Cookin’ in the Bluegrass.

“The James Beard Foundation is honored to be part of an event that combines a diverse group of chefs and sustainable ingredients,” said Susan Ungaro, president
of the James Beard Foundation. “The Cookin’ in the Bluegrass dinners will match the best local and visiting chefs in America’s great southern region, where we celebrate so many of our nation’s deepest culinary roots.”

Kentucky Proud is Kentucky’s official state farm marketing program. Kentucky Proud is dedicated to opening markets for Kentucky producers and helping consumers find Kentucky Proud products.  Nearly 2,000 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, farmers’ markets, Kentucky state parks and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets are members of Kentucky Proud.

The Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky will represent the largest equine sporting event ever held in the United States. The 2010 Games are comprised of the world championships for eight equestrian sports – show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving, endurance, vaulting, reining and paraequestrian.

The FEI World Equestrian Games are held every four years, two years prior to the Olympic Games and are governed by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).  The FEI is the international governing body of equestrian sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It establishes rules and regulations for the conduct of international equestrian events. Today the FEI has more than 130 member countries.

 

Photos (Top left)  Lexington-area chefs who will participate in Cookin' in the Bluegrass: A Celebrity Chef Dinner Series during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this fall are photographed in front of The Farmhouse –the venue of the dining series at The Kentucky Horse Park. Pictured in the photo at left (L-R), Andrew Myers, Bellini’s; Dave Cupolo, Malone’s of Lexington; Justin Thompson, Jean Farris Winery & Bistro; Paul Weckman and Molly Thompson, Otto’s; Jeremy Ashby, Azur Restaurant & Patio; Ouita Michel, Holly Hill Inn; Eric Fowler, Dudley’s on Short; Jeffrey Newman, Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant; Jonathan Lundy, Jonathan’s Restaurant.  (photo by Shaun Ring)  (Bottom right) Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, left, chats with some of the Kentucky chefs who will participate in Cookin’ in the Bluegrass: A Celebrity Chef Dinner Series.