Derby Festival Crowns New Burger Champion

Lori Poe of Mt. Sterling is taking home the title of Derby Burger Champion, in the 8th Annual “Derby Burger Challenge” sponsored by Kentucky Beef Council and coordinated by the Kentucky Derby Festival. Poe’s recipe for her “Chimichurri Churchill Burger” was selected as the overall winner after a cook-off this morning at the Kroger in Prospect. It features ground beef, fresh sliced avocados, Mexican cheese, spicy pimento mayo spread, and a homemade parsley-garlic chimichurri sauce, all wrapped in a flour tortilla and re-toasted.

Lori placed third in the Derby Burger Challenge in 2018, which influenced her entry this year. “Some of the judges commented last year that they wanted a less-messy burger,” said Poe. “So, this year I wrapped it in a tortilla instead of using a bun – it seems like it made a difference.”

The Festival received dozens of submissions for the annual competition. More than 5,000 beef lovers voted online to help pick the top 4 finalists. At the final cook-off, a panel of judges determined the overall winner based on points accumulated from four factors – Taste, Appearance, Creativity and Ease of Preparation. Other finalists included Thomas Dew of Louisville with the “Asian BBQ Burger with Grilled Peaches”; Donna Gribbins of Shelbyville, with the “Foto Finish Filly Cheese Steak Burger”; and Scott Wisdom of Louisville, with the “Go Big Bleu! Burger”.

Poe’s winning Derby Burger recipe will be available to try at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville this year during its nine-day run, as well as sampled at BeerFest Presented by Liberty Financial, and recognized in Louisville-area Kroger stores.

Poe also receives VIP tickets to Thunder Over Louisville, VIP Experience at Waterfront Jam, tickets to BeerFest, as well as a $100 gift certificate to Kroger and a grilling package from Kentucky Beef Council.