March 31, 2014. Louisville, KY. – Zoe Badillo of Valley Station is the winner of the 3rd Annual “Derby Burger Challenge” recipe contest sponsored by Kentucky Beef Council and coordinated by the Kentucky Derby Festival. Badillo’s recipe for her Pineapple Wasabi Burger was selected as the overall winner after a cook-off this morning. It features ground beef, pineapple juice, green onions, tomato paste, chives, and fresh mint all served on a whole wheat bun.
“I never expected to even be a finalist for this competition, nevertheless win it,” said Badillo, who is currently a student at Sullivan University and learned about the competition online. “I am excited and plan to go celebrate!”
The Festival received over 100 submissions for the “Derby Burger Challenge” after the competition opened on March 10. A panel of judges determined the overall contest winner based on points accumulated from four factors – Taste, Appearance, Creativity and Ease of Preparation. Carolyn Harper (Harpo’s Derby Breakfast Burger) finished runner-up in the contest. Dave Palazzo (Kentucky Blue & Beer Burger) finished third and Pat Swartz (Cool Cow) finished fourth.
The Derby Burger recipe will be featured as the Local Legendary Burger at Hard Rock Café Louisville in May, recognized in Louisville-area and Lexington-area Kroger stores and samples will be featured at the Kentucky Derby Festival’s BeerFest presented by American Founders Bank.
Badillo receives VIP tickets to Thunder Over Louisville, tickets to Waterfront Jam and BeerFest at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, as well as a $100 gift certificate to Kroger and a grilling package from Kentucky Beef Council.
From now through April 21, all purchasers of fresh ground beef at any of the Kentuckiana Kroger stores (including Lexington locations) will receive a coupon at checkout (on the bottom of the receipt). The message includes an entry code to register online at www.kdf.org/beef for a chance to win VIP tickets to a Waterfront Jam Concert presented by Laura’s Lean Beef at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville or BeerFest presented by American Founders Bank.
Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 375 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
