MINT CONDITION

YOUR KENTUCKY DERBY PART Y NE EDS BE T T ING, HATS AND A PROPERLY MIXED COCKTAIL

BLUEGRASS STATE native Damaris Phillips has been going to the Kentucky Derby for her entire adult life, but the chef and Food Network personality hasn’t always watched the Derby. In fact, until Churchill Downs put up more fencing around the track, Phillips and her friends would pay more attention to the people than the ponies. “Right across the street from the track are these beautiful green patches,” says Phillips. “And we would sit up there and have picnics. A friend invented the Compliment Society. We would give compliments to people as they were going into Derby. You look amazing! We’d cheer for anybody who had put in a lot of effort into their outfit.”

For Phillips and many other locals, that’s what the Derby is about: atmosphere. And food. And a good mint julep. If you can’t be at Churchill Downs, Phillips has a few pointers for hosting your own party. First: Make everyone bet. “Either get an app or do old-school at-home betting, where everybody picks a horse and throws in 20 bucks,” she says. “There’s gotta be a prize, so you’re cheering for a horse and you’re invested.”

For the food, try pimiento cheese or a beer cheese spread. Or both. There’s also Derby Pie, basically a pecan pie with chocolate chips and bourbon. And nothing is more classic than a mint julep (though not necessarily as potent as the ones at the track, which taste of mouthwash and lawn clippings). They can be labor intensive, so Phillips makes them by the pitcher.

Finally, you’ve got to look the part of a Derby goer. That means hats—for everyone. “Gentlemen should also be wearing a hat,” Phillips says. “Let’s just be honest: Men and hats— it looks so cool.”