The Great Idaho Potato Truck

Citizens who live in the same cities as our chefs can also expect to see the The Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck, as it will be in each of the featured cities to do various events with the chefs this summer. The Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck, which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), stands 13 feet high, is 72 feet long and weighs six tons!

Megan Countryman and Tyson Long of Winston's Restaurant talk Bloody Marys

Every year during the week before Derby, the Louisville television and radio stations broadcast live from the backside at Churchill Downs, where horse industry experts, local celebrities and eager spectators get an early look at the horses in the running. The program is entirely Derby focused, and Estes Public Relations coordinates much of the culinary talent that brings recipes and entertaining tips to the viewers.

Chef Laurent Geroli of The Brown Hotel shared classic Derby recipes

In all, we booked, coordinated, prepared and executed more than 30 backside interviews this year. Interview topics included cooking with local ingredients for Derby parties, hangover cures and coffee cocktails. Arriving around 5 a.m. daily, we carried bus tubs of ingredients, set up cooking demonstrations in 45 seconds or less with cameras rolling, booked on-the-spot radio interviews and even modeled a few Derby hats!

T.J. Oakley of the Bristol Bar and Grille shares tips for using Kentucky Proud ingredients in Derby recipes

It’s been exciting to work with the wonderful producers, anchors, radio personalities and Churchill Downs staff members for another year. We’re looking forward to seeing them all again in 2013!  

Brad and Carla Sue Broecker represented Fabulous Finds while Estes PR President Jamie Estes and PR Associate Alex Kruse modeled Derby hats

Ghyslain Maurais of Ghyslain Chocolatier shared a great potluck recipe and showcased his Derby themed chocolate collection