A lovely afternoon with friends, Maker’s Mark and ponies…what a great way to spend Derby Day! The Tipsy Texan and Maker’s Mark hosted this lovely party at Rain Lily Farms on the East Side. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, warm yet dry. I arrived on the scene early enough to stroll the grounds quietly and watch folks trickling in clad in seersucker and big hats. I grabbed my official Churchill Downs glass, dipped in red wax (thank you, Adam Harris of Maker’s Mark!), and headed to the bar. In one booth the classic Mint Julep was being served. And, in the other there were a few takes on the julep…a Raspberry one, a great orange and thyme twist and a cinnamon julep. All the variations were creations by Tipsy Tech students…my classmates! Yay!

Chef Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen's Kitchen

-Jack Gilmore’s bold, flavorful style hails from his experience across the Gulf Coast Region of the South, his upbringing in the Rio Grande Valley, and extensive work with Master German chefs – but his legendary hospitality is one hundred percent Texan.
 
Gilmore began his culinary career working with “old school” Cajun chefs in South Padre Island, Texas.  Seeking new challenges, Gilmore relocated to Austin where he helped open the original Chez Fred’s as well as longtime seafood favorite Louie’s on the Lake, moving to Louisiana to open a Louie’s in Baton Rouge.

Returning to Texas in the mid-1980s, Chef Gilmore worked under Master German chefs in Fredericksburg, which truly helped shape his culinary vision.  In those kitchens, he learned to “put everything you have learned together and use it,” Jack remembers.  “The Masters taught me to be humble when it does not work out and glad when it does.”