LOUISVILLE – KY (Tuesday, June 15, 2010) – Churchill Downs Entertainment Group (CDE) will launch Fork, Cork & Style, a first-ever event on Sunday, September 12 from 1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Bringing to life its theme of “Fork, Cork & Style” the festival will present signature foods from around the country, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, a wine tasting featuring 150 elite brands and innovative ways to dress up your next tailgating party. 

 Renowned Chef Emeril Lagasse will headline this event, preparing mouth-watering food live amidst a fun, high-energy atmosphere. Lagasse has hosted over 1,500 shows on the Food Network and is presently a correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America. In addition to Emeril’s cooking demonstrations, several finalists from the Top Chef competition will also do cooking demonstrations on the feature stage throughout the day. Among the celebrity chefs also scheduled to appear are:

• Brian Malarkey - just named Chef of the Year by California’s Restaurant Association, owner of San Diego’s new Searsucker restaurant, recent guest on TLC’s Mega Bites and finalist from popular television show Top Chef Miami 
• Eli Kirshtein - Finalist on Emmy award nominated show Top Chef Vegas on Bravo TV and owner of a new restaurant opening soon in New York City.
• Betty Fraser – This “Top Chef” Los Angeles contestant is co-owner of the award-winning, Hollywood, CA restaurant Grub and is often seen on “The Today Show” making her Ba-Da-Bing Betty Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Al Roker.

 “This is another innovative concept we think appeals to our target market, entertainment seekers” CDE President Steve Sexton said. “We believe this is a winning combination - a blend of marquee foods from various markets combined with key local offerings all in the same location. Fork, Cork & Style will celebrate America’s best foods, the world’s finest wines, and give festival goers ways to enhance their next tailgate. We hope to introduce this concept in Louisville, and then take it to new markets in the near future.”

 Notable restaurants participating include: Chicago area’s Albano’s Pizzeria, #8 on Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down” for their football-sized pizza puff ; Buffalo’s Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo Chicken Wings and #17 on the “101 Best Places to Chow Down” list; Memphis hot spot Central BBQ, rated #1 BBQ joint in Tennessee, which will prepare delicious ribs and pulled pork; West Virginia’s Hillbilly Hot Dogs, which placed #15 on the Travel Channel’s “101 Best Places to Chow Down” list and is best known for their 15-inch Home Wrecker hot dog topped with a pile of tasty condiments; Chicago’s world Famous Billy Goat Tavern and Grill, which brings their highly publicized cheeseburger adored by the cast of  Saturday Night Live who performed the sketch “Cheezborger, Cheezborger”; Tony Luke’s in South Philly, home of the ultimate cheesesteak featured on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food”, and Florida’s gourmet American Brownie Company, delighting festival goers with their delicious brownies and blondies desserts. Additional restaurants will be revealed soon.

 There will also be a grand wine tasting filled with high-end vintners presented by Southern Wine and Spirits including: Joseph Phelps, Jordan, Caymus, Beaulieu Vineyards (BV), Stag’s Leap, Franciscan, Grgich Hills, Trinchero, Robert Mondavi, Bertani, Biondo-Santi, Cloudy Bay, Chalone, Mount Veeder, BR Cohn, Rodney Strong and many others. 

 Fork, Cork & Style on Sunday, September 12 will also feature the sounds of California band Boogie Knights, Endless Summer Band and V Groove. 

 Through a partnership with CDE, the Make-A-Wish Foundation will oversee volunteer efforts at Fork, Cork & Style. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has about 900 active volunteers throughout the three-state region.

 Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 15 at 5:00 p.m. The first 1,000 ticket buyers can take advantage of the Early Bird Special, featuring a $15 general admission ticket or $50 admission and wine tasting ticket. After the first 1,000 tickets are sold, advance ticket prices (through August 29) are $25 for general admission and $60 for general admission and wine tasting. After August 29, prices are $35 for general admission and $70 for admission and wine tasting. A limited number of $500 VIP tickets will also be available which include an exclusive meet and greet with Emeril Lagasse and the other celebrity chefs, reserved seating at the cooking demo stage, first-class access to the wine tasting and VIP parking. Tickets are available online at www.forkcorkandstyle.com.

 About Churchill Downs Entertainment Group

Churchill Downs Entertainment Group (“CDE”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) located in Louisville, Ky., that was formed to conceive, develop, produce and manage large-scale entertainment events at CDI and non-CDI properties. The immediate success of headline concerts by the Rolling Stones (2006) and The Police (2007) at the historic home of the Kentucky Derby led to the creation of CDE, which is also based in Louisville. CDE debuts the HullabaLOU Music Festival July 23 – 25 at Churchill Downs which includes more than 65 artists performing over three-days on five stages including headliners: Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews Band.