The annual Kentucky Derby Breakfast is organized and hosted by the Governor of Kentucky on the morning of the derby horse race. The Kentucky derby breakfast was usually hosted by the Governor of Kentucky with only the selected invited few in attendance. In 1972, Governor Wendell Ford started the tradition of inviting the open public to the derby breakfast. The first public breakfast attracted only a few hundred people but over the years, the Kentucky Derby Breakfast grown to now gather about 15,000 Derby guest and is now an event to showcase the rich culture of Kentucky along with splendid entertainment, all adding color to the actual meal.
The meal is handled by the Kentucky Department of Parks. Materials and supplies start coming in early of the derby week. Staff employees from different parks and food staff begin to arrive to prepare the food. Cooking is commenced as early as 1am on the actual Derby morning in 2 cafeterias in Frankfurt. The cooked food is continuously transported to the serving tent located on the Capital grounds. The breakfast meal is served in buffet style.
By the end of the breakfast about 20,000 eggs, 13,000 biscuits, 60 apple bushels, 15,000 coffee cups and over 2,000 pounds of country ham would have been served and consumed. The Kentucky Derby Breakfast is also accompanied with entertainment presented on three different locations. Singing, storytelling and dancing are just part of the wholesome entertainment enjoyed along with the Kentucky derby Breakfast. The Kentucky Derby Breakfast is still open to the public for free.
