Insiders On The Dishes That Say "Derby"

As Derby Week approached Eater sought the opinions of several area dining and entertainment professionals, asking a number of questions about the upcoming festivities. Here Laurence Agnew, Joe Banet, Anthony Lamas, Edward Lee, Jeremy Johnson, Fernando Martinez and Mark Peters answer the question about what food talks "Derby" to them.

Q: What food says "Derby" to you the most?

Laurence Agnew, Executive Chef at Crushed Ice Events: Anything decadent. My picks are smoked meats and great shellfish.

Joe Banet, Executive Chef at Rye: Bourbon. A close second is Derby Pie.

Jeremy Johnson, Meta: Sadly, since I've been in the service industry for the last 15 years or so, nothing says "Derby" like Taco Bell or La Bamba—eaten over my kitchen sink around 6 in the morning... or 3:30 in the afternoon.

Anthony Lamas, Seviche: A hearty breakfast of country ham and grits to set you up for a long day at the track. Also some of us consider bourbon a food group of its own.

Edward Lee, 610 Magnolia/Milkwood: Burgoo.

Fernando Martinez, Guaca Mole/El Taco Luchador/The Place Downstairs/Mussel & Burger Bar: When I think of Kentucky Derby food, I think Kentucky classics like fried chicken, Benedictine sandwiches, Derby Pie, burgoo.

Mark Peters, Coals Artisan Pizza: Derby Pie.