Gifting delegates in Kentucky—short of sending them home with their very own Thoroughbred racehorse—is as breezy as a mint julep. Read on for giveaway treats that represent some of the state’s unique F&B offerings.
- Bourbon Chocolates, courtesy of Lexington’s Old Kentucky Candies (859.278.4444; www.oldkycandy.com), are popular with attendees. The candy purveyor is available to work with planners to assemble custom corporate gift packages, including Old Kentucky Derby Mints, Bourbon Cherries and Chocolate Thoroughbreds (caramel and pecans covered in milk or dark chocolate). Tour groups of up to 50 people are invited to visit the kitchen with an appointment, complete with a free candy sample.
- Old Pogue (www.oldpogue.com) Master’s Select Bourbon, a Northern Kentucky family bourbon distilled in Bardstown, makes for a wonderful gift (as does a bottle of bourbon from any of the oodles of purveyors throughout Kentucky). Delegates might enjoy learning they can do more than drink Old Pogue. Just cruise its website for recipes—mint juleps to cherry bourbon salad and bourbon steak sauce—to perhaps partner with the gift bottle. In addition, Old Pogue offers gift choices including handsome umbrellas and “rocks” glasses.
- A number of dessert options are available from local shops in Louisville. Mert’s Cakes (502.266.6010; www.mertscakes.com) makes a special Derby Cake, as well as specializing in creating custom corporate creations. Derby Cake, created for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, is a “fusion of moist butter praline cake, dark chocolate and fine Kentucky bourbon.”
Considered “a slice of Kentucky history,” Derby Pie from Kern’s Kitchen (502.499.0285; www.derbypie.com) is likely to be a big hit, though its ingredients, other than easily recognizable chocolate chips and walnut pieces, are top secret.
- A Louisville tradition since 1921, Muth’s Candy Store (800.55.MUTHS; http://shop.muthscan dy.com) features the Modjeska candy. Created in honor of Polish actress Helena Modjeska, whose performance in Louisville in 1883 impressed local candy maker Anton Busath, the special candy consists of marshmallow dipped in liquid caramel.
- Founded in 1929, Newport’s Dixie Chili (859.291.5337; www.dixiechili.com) is Northern Kentucky’s first chili parlor. For decades, the Sarakatsannis family has been serving healthy and delicious chili to patrons (made with 96 percent fat-free beef chuck, Wisconsin cheddar, Bermuda onions and 100 percent semolina wheat spaghetti). Gifts from Dixie include canned chili, aprons, hats and T-shirts.
