By Chris Aldridge

Kentucky Ag News

Kentucky Derby weekend brings in participants and horse racing enthusiasts from across the state, the country, and the world. Three Kentucky Proud restaurants in Louisville often notice an uptick in business as the first weekend in May attracts thousands to Churchill Downs. 

Cured Restaurant & Salumeria, a modern European farm-to-table restaurant specializing in fresh house-cured and smoked meats, will be booming Derby weekend at its NuLu location at 637 E. Main St. 

“We were completely booked out two months in advance,” said Cured co-owner Ela Lapinet, explaining that all 58 of the restaurant’s seats are reserved for dinner from Thursday, May 1 through Derby Day on Saturday, May 3.

Lapinet said the 174 reservations rivals Cured’s most popular holiday. “It’s up there with Valentine’s Day for sure,” she noted.

Churchill Downs’ decision to no longer allow Derby goers to bring outside food and beverages to the racetrack will affect Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher Shop, whose boxed lunches were popular in the past.

So, for the first time, owner Kit Garrett plans to offer brunch aimed at Derby goers on Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4 at the restaurant at 2622 Frankfort Ave. in Louisville.

“We’re hoping it’ll be our second-busiest time of the year,” Garrett said, adding that Red Hog is most popular around Christmas. “The locals enjoy showing what we have here in town when they have out-of-town guests.”

The best part of Red Hog’s business during Derby week is its craft butcher shop, the first in Louisville. Red Hog supplies local Derby parties with fresh cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb from local farms that are processed, cured, smoked, and cooked in-house.

“It certainly is a positive time for our butcher shop,” Garrett said. “We sell lots of charcuterie boards” featuring its meats and cheeses made from the milk of local goats and cows.

At casual French restaurant Brasserie Provence at 150 N. Hurstbourne Parkway, owner Guy Genoud is hoping reservations pick up before the big day. 

“Reservations are not filling up as fast as they used to,” Genoud said in his thick French accent. But he noted that Derby weekend is still comparable to the restaurant’s two other busiest times around Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

“Derby Day has not been great since 2019 before they moved the race back to 7 (p.m.),” Genoud added. “‘Thurby’ (on Thursday, May 1) and (the Kentucky) Oaks (on Friday, May 2) are now our best days.”

All three restaurants are Kentucky Proud members. Kentucky Proud is the state’s official agricultural marketing program. Members produce and sell Kentucky agriculture products.

Cured touts its Kentucky Proud membership on its website. 

“We are Kentucky Proud!” its website states. “We take pride in sourcing the finest ingredients from Kentucky’s local farms and artisans…. We also collaborate with incredible local producers to bring you a true taste of Kentucky.

“Our hogs come from trusted Kentucky farms,” it adds. “Our vegetables are sourced from Naked Greens, our fresh pasta comes from Lexington Pasta, and our cheese is crafted by Kenny’s Cheese. For a flavorful kick, we feature Trina’s Hot Sauce, our sweets are created by Pinnamel Sweets, and our fresh, artisan bread comes from Lotsa Pasta.”