What’s better than sampling some of Louisville’s best dishes and helping a worthy cause? Not much. Perhaps that’s why each year the turnout increases for the Kentucky Derby's Taste of Derby Festival. This year's Taste of Derby Festival will take place on Tuesday, April 17th from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Louisville Slugger Field. All proceeds from the event benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank.

This is the 8th year for the Taste of Derby Festival, which features signature dishes from more than 45 of Louisville’s finest restaurants and beverage companies. There is also a Bourbon Tasting, a Finlandia Bloody Mary Contest, Wine Tasting and a Silent Auction. The event has became so popular it was expanded into Slugger Field’s concourse area.

“This event has gotten bigger and better every year,” said Linda Miller, special events director for the Dare to Care Food Bank. “You can’t find better food and drink and everybody has a great time socializing. Best of all, it helps provide meals for people who are truly in need,” said Miller.

The Dare to Care Food Bank Taste of Derby Festival has the feel of an upscale cocktail party, but it’s open to the public – as long as tickets are still available. The participating restaurants will offer a selection of signature appetizers, entrees and dessert items. Some of the liquor vendors will feature small-batch brands not commonly available. A Silent Auction returns to the event offering unique items from generous donors.

The Dare to Care Food Bank is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing food to people in need. Each year, Dare to Care distributes 8.2 million pounds of food to 29 distribution centers and 400 agencies in the metro Louisville area. The Food Bank supplied food to more than 102,000 people last year through its Emergency Food Box program. This program, along with the Kids Cafe locations in metro Louisville and other feeding programs, enables Dare to Care to serve more than 200,000 needy people annually.

Miller said the Taste of Derby Festival is one of the Dare to Care Food Bank's largest fund-raisers of the year. "It's a very important event for our organization," she said. Last year was the most successful yet. The Taste of Derby Festival raised $111,000. Dare to Care hopes to top that number in 2007. The Dare to Care Food Bank supplies $17 worth of food for every $1 donated.

Tickets are $75 ($50 is tax deductible). Call the Dare To Care Food Bank at (502) 966-3821.

To learn more about the non-profit Food Bank and it's wonderful work click here: Dare to Care Food Bank

For info regarding travel & accomodations in Lousiville go to: Kentucky Derby Festival