Cultural Happenings: Louisville Culinary Icons

When it comes to legendary Kentucky cuisine, two icons reign supreme: the indulgent Hot Brown and the decadent Derby Pie. These dishes have deep connections to Louisville, the state’s food culture, and the lively spirit of the Kentucky Derby. 

Created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, the Hot Brown was born out of a need to refuel the hotel’s late-night dance crowd. Guests, tired of typical ham and egg suppers, inspired Chef Fred K. Schmidt to invent something heartier. His answer: an open-faced sandwich layered with sliced roast turkey, Texas toast, fresh tomatoes, crisp bacon, and generously smothered in a creamy Mornay sauce before being baked or broiled until bubbly and golden. Parmesan cheese often adds a final flourish.

Derby Pie made its debut in 1954 at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky, thanks to the Kern family. They sought to craft a showstopping dessert and landed on a pie filled with chocolate chips and walnuts, baked in a flaky crust. The name "Derby Pie" was literally drawn out of a hat—a fitting origin for a dessert now synonymous with Kentucky’s signature horse race.

During LifeTRAVELED’s recent visit to Louisville, we invited two interns – Himavardhan from India and Andrien from the Philippines – to enjoy these famous culinary creations at lunch at the historic Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville.

Disclosure: This blog post was written with support from AI technology.