Taste of Innovation

Foodies, this event is made with you in mind.  All you can eat and drink from Louisville’s most popular restaurants for $40/person.  It sounds expensive, but considering the quality of the restaurants, the atmosphere of innovation, and the iconic locale (Churchill Downs Millionaire’s Row), you get a very good bang for your buck.

What is it? Taste of Innovation is a reception/networking event for the IdeaFestival, a 4 day celebration that brings together innovators and leaders from around the world.  Several presentations, films, and events are scheduled to share ideas and research that impact the arts, business, technology, design, science, philosophy and education. At Taste of Innovation, over 30 booths will be available with unlimited samples of food, desserts, coffee, specialty drinks and of course...Bourbon.  Local favorites confirmed to be there are Lilly's Bistro, El Camino, Hrvest, Mayan Cafe, Rye on Market, the Silver Dollar, and many more.

El Camino tacos

What dishes can we expect to see? How about croissant doughnut with Bourbon Maple glaze and caramelized bacon from Ghyslain, shrimp ceviche with bourbon soy sauce from the Mayan Cafe, black sapote hand pies with coconut cloud cream from Crushed Ice Events.  Want more? What about chocolate dipped pork with a honey lavender Bourbon Glaze, cabbage Bleu d’Auvergne and potato gaufrette from French restaurant Brasserie Provence.  And from my favorite restaurant, Lilly's Bistro, Marksbury Moroccan pulled lamb shoulder.  This is my first year so I'm not sure what to expect, but I've heard great reviews from everyone.

Here's the 411:

Date: Wednesday October 1, 2014
Time: 5:45 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: $40 in advance | $50 at the door. $6 convenience fee if you buy online or over the phone (1-800-775-7777). Go to the box office at 501 West Main to pick it up to save $6. 
Location: Churchill Downs Millionaire’s Row, 700 Central Ave (go to gate 17)
Dress code: Dressy or casual is up to you!

While people are discussing ideas on how to shape the world, I’ll be happy eating away inventive new dishes that are sure to enlighten my taste buds.  See you there!