Disney World Restaurant Birthday Treats

One of the first things people tell you when you’re visiting Disney World over your birthday is, “Get the Birthday Button! You might get free stuff!”

Birthday Button

The truth is, Disney restaurants actually do some wonderful things to celebrate birthdays (some free; some requiring advance preparation by you!). Because today is my birthday, I wanted to share a few of the fantastic birthday surprises you can find in Disney restaurants. (Thanks to the DisneyFoodBlog readers who contributed their celebration photos to the gallery below! The Gallery is being updated continuously as folks send in photos — so keep checking back for more pics!)

And if you’re thinking you might want to order an incredible cake like some of those shown in the gallery, just check out our Disney Cake Ordering FAQ for Disney World and Disneyland!

Disney Restaurant Birthday Surprises

When you call to book your dining reservations, let the Disney agents know that you’ll be celebrating a birthday on your upcoming trip. They’ll make notes in the reservation so that the restaurant is aware of your celebration. (Be sure to remind the cast member at the podium when you arrive; some notes slip through the cracks when things get busy…) If you’re making your reservations online, be sure to enter in your “celebration” at the end of the process!

The last time we celebrated a birthday in the parks, we headed right over to one of our favorite character meals: Crystal Palace! When there’s note of your celebration, Crystal Palace cast members decorate your table with multi-colored Mickey confetti and festive streamers. This lets your server know that someone’s celebrating, which results in a delicious cupcake and a card signed by the whole gang (no cost to you, of course)! Looks like the card is a bit outdated, eh? Where’s the Animal Kingdom?

Disney's Standard Birthday Card

Cupcake and Card at Crystal Palace

I’ve also had this wonderful treatment at Yachtsman Steakhouse, where the card was signed by nearly a dozen characters (I just don’t know WHERE they found all of them so late at night!), and the dessert was not just a cupcake, but a delicious soaked sponge cake molded with chocolate.

On another recent trip, I dined at Citricos, where I was presented with a semi-personalized “Happy Birthday” souvenir menu. Although the dessert I ordered wasn’t free (that I can remember), it was beautifully decorated to wish me a happy celebration. I’ve heard tell that Disney will be phasing out these Happy Birthday menus, which I think is unfortunate. It really does make one feel special!

Citricos Happy Birthday Menu

Citricos Dessert

Celebrations Planned in Advance

Most of the above occurred with little or no planning of ours; all we did was let the restaurant know that there was a birthday, and Disney did the rest.

But if you’d like to be a bit more grand with your celebration, you can plan in advance to have Disney create a dessert that will serve everyone in your party!

Be sure to check out our “Disney Cake Ordering FAQ” for all the details!! 🙂

Disney World Celebrations Page

Be sure to call the Walt Disney World Resort at (407) 827-2253 (the cake hotline) at least 48 hours in advance.

Special Tip: As you can see above, even if you didn’t plan for a cake in advance, you can still order a 6-inch cake upon arrival at most Disney table-service restaurants. These are available in both chocolate and vanilla. No notice is necessary. (I’m SO glad they’ve started doing this…I’m horrible about advance planning!) These cakes even come in versions for special diets!

Disney Food Blog Reader Celebrations!

To quote Lavar Burton, “Don’t take my word for it!” Here are just a few of the grand ways some DisneyFoodBlog readers have celebrated birthdays in Disney World:

Chip 'n Dale Cake at California Grill

Splash Mountain Cake at California Grill

Hayley Mills Cake at California Grill

Dessert from the Empire Grill at the Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo Disneyland

Reader Debi W. shared this helpful info: This cake was ordered from Wilderness Lodge. They delivered it to Trails End at Fort Wilderness since we were camping there. We just had to pick it up. The writing was done in chocolate (a complete surprise), was yellow cake with raspberry filling, buttercream frosting. Very happy with what we got. We were there in December celebrating my son’s 5th birthday. I was able to order this cake based on finding your blog! It was very helpful for our entire trip, keep up the great work!

5th Birthday

Birthday Cake from WL Bakery

Vanilla Cake with Raspberry Filling

Cinderella's Royal Table Birthday

Kona Cafe, Polynesian Resort: Birthday Treat

Rose and Crown Dining Room, Epcot World Showcase: Advance Reserved Cake

Rose and Crown Dining Room, Epcot World Showcase: Advance Prep Cake

Celebrating a birthday at Rose and Crown

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Advance Reserved White Chocolate Slipper Dessert

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Advance Prep White Chocolate Slipper Dessert

Paradise Pier, Disney's California Adventure, Disneyland: Birthday Treat

Liberty Tree Tavern, Magic Kingom: Birthday Treat

Boma, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Advance Reserved Birthday Cake by Chef TJ

Boma, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Inside the cake!

Chef Mickey, Disney's Contemporary Resort: Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

Another from Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Advanced Reserved Vegan Cake

Garden Grill, Epcot Future World: Make Your Own Birthday Treat

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Advanced Reserved Vegan Cake

Boma, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Birthday Treat

Here are three photos of an AMAZING 4th Anniversary Cake. The only instructions to Chef Brian at the California Grill were: “small, haunted mansion, 4 years, chocolate and raspberry.” Incredible.

Haunted Mansion Cake

Another California Grill, Disney's Contemporary Resort: Birthday Treat

Brown Derby, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

1900 Park Faire, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

Le Cellier, Epcot's World Showcase: Birthday Treat

Citricos, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

Princess Katy's Birthday Bash at Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

Key Lime Creme Brulee at Narcoossee's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

Narcoossee's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

Cape May Cafe, Disney's Beach Club Resort: Birthday Treat

Princess Chloe at Akershus, Epcot's Norway: Pre-Ordered Birthday Cake

(Love this one!) 50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

Chef Mickey's Birthday Cake -- name is blurred as it was for a celebrity

Le Cellier Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Breakfast Birthday Treat

Tusker House Birthday Treat

Chef Mickey's Birthday Treat

Chef Mickey's Birthday Cupcake

Cape May Cafe Birthday Treat

Artist Point Birthday Cobbler

Tony's Town Square Special Order Birthday Cake

Birthday at Shutters

Birthday celebration at Crystal Palace

When Reader Karen F. called for reservations at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, she requested a special cake for her great niece, Baylee. See below the cake that was “so delicious”!

Akershus Birthday Cake

Reader Susan P. ordered a cake from the Yacht and Beach Club Bakery to surprise her sister with an upcoming Disney Fantasy cruise. She had it delivered to Le Cellier in Epcot.

Disney Fantasy Cake!

Readers Hal and Holly shared this photo from their son’s “build your own sundae birthday celebration at Le Cellier”!

Le Cellier's Build Your Own Sundae Birthday Treat!

If you’ve got a photo to add to this gallery, let me know via facebook, twitter, or email. Thanks!

Best Disney World Restaurants for Vegetarians

By AJ 21 Comments

Boma Open Kitchen

This is a tough blog post, as people define “Vegetarian” in so many different ways! To try to give you the most up-to-date and tested information, I’ve included readers’ top picks for table-service and counter-service locations and rounded out the post with some great feedback from travel-blogger SoloFriendly, who’s got some great ideas for meat-free Disney World dishes. Finally, I’ve listed a few other resources for you to check out if you’re doing Disney as a vegetarian or a vegan.

Reader Picks: Table-Service
Boma
Boma, Jambo House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma was the landslide winner among food blog readers who chimed in about Vegetarian options. It’s a buffet, which automatically offers a wide variety of choices; but with an emphasis on African soups, hummus, salads, and grain-based dishes, it’s a great option for meat-free eating.

Reader Comment from Beth via facebook:
Hubby is vegetarian when out thanks to being Kosher at home. His favorite was Boma since there was so much to pick from. The staff there was amazing to walk around and tell everything that was safe if you requested it.

Sanaa, Kidani Village, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

One of the newer restaurants in Disney World, Sanaa has another African- and Asian- themed menu (dinner menu) on which every section has at least one (and usually many) mouth-watering vegetarian selections.

While I loved my meal there, I’ll quote SoloFriendly’s helpful comments:

Sanaa Spinach and Paneer Cheese

They’ve got a lot of very creative menu items that are vegetarian, so if I was really sick of salads and wanted something totally different, I’d go here. They offer all sorts of wonderful breads and vegetarian accompaniments, more than one vegetarian appetizer (paneer cheese, roasted cauliflower, and potato and pea samosas) and entree, unusual salad choices, and a vegetarian soup. There is no doubt in my mind I could have a very filling and delicious meal here without eating meat. In fact, I could do so more than once without repeating the same dish twice. (By the way, here’s SoloFriendly’s Sanaa Review)

Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Downtown Disney

This well-known Downtown Disney restaurant features several meatless choices, including creative salads, vegetarian pasta dishes, and yummy flatbreads/pizzas. The most famous item, however, is the butternut-squash soup! Here’s the dinner menu, and for some photos, SoloFriendly’s Wolfgang Puck Cafe review.

Reader Comment from Jennifer via facebook:
Wofgang Puck’s. Between sushi, salmon, margherita pizza, and [pumpkin] ravioli, you have many options.

Tusker House Buffet

Tusker House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Coming highly recommended by readers (and me!), Tusker House serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets in the Animal Kingdom theme park. Vegetarian options abound at all meals, and servers will gladly show you which items are vegetarian. This gives a quick list of some items that are routinely available on the lunch/dinner buffets, including Hummus and baba ghanoush, Jollaf rice, Pearl couscous with sweet basil essence, Spiced tandoori tofu, and Tunisian couscous salad.

Vegetarian Quiche and Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole

Reader Comment from Erwin via facebook:
For ease of locating things, Tusker House. Last time we were there, the server pointed out that (facing the buffet from the dining room) everything to the left of the dessert island was vegetarian, with the obvious exception of the meats on the deli board. Everything to the right was not, which included the Israeli couscous side dish (probably made with chicken broth).

Reader Picks: Counter-Service

Tangierine Cafe

Tangierine Cafe, Morocco Pavilion, Epcot’s World Showcase
Another multi-vote winner, Tangierine Cafe offers numerous wraps and side dishes that are, or can be made, vegetarian. Check out SoloFriendly’s photo-packed review of her Vegetable Platter dinner, which includes “falafel bread, olive salad, hummus, lentil salad, tabouleh, and a tangierine couscous salad,” at the cafe.

Reader Comment from @jobber99 via twitter, recalling his favorite veggie meal at Tangierine Cafe: Falafel with hummus, pita, rice, taboueh, and baklava.

Sunshine Seasons

Sunshine Seasons, The Land, Epcot’s Future World
Sunshine Seasons always tops best counter-service lists, and this is no exception. The food-court-style restaurant offers different stations for different types of food, including Asian Cuisine-inspired foods, Soup and Salads, Sandwiches, Grilled items, and Desserts.

Sunshine Seasons Asian Cuisine Station

In addition to the standard vegetarian fare (soups and salads) at Sunshine Seasons, you can find grilled vegetable sandwiches and other vegetarian entrees.

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
Cosmic Ray’s is truly a favorite among vegetarians for its (actually quite good!) veggie burgers and vegetable wraps. Perhaps the out-of-this-world (sorry. had to do it.) burger fixin’s bar will sway your decision… .

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Other reader suggestions included: Garden Grill (dish suggestion: tofu veggie noodles), Columbia Harbour House (dish suggestion: lighthouse sandwich), Yak and Yeti (make a meal of the veggie side dishes), Starring Rolls Cafe (dish suggestion: Veggie Wrap), Mama Melrose’s, Coral Reef (dish suggestion: Wild Mushroom Lasagna), Coronado Springs’ Pepper Market, California Grill, Chef Mickey’s, Kona Cafe, and The Hollywood Brown Derby. We’d love to hear your suggestions; contact Disney Food Blog via facebook, twitter, or email.

Cosmic Ray’s Condiment Bar

If these suggestions don’t strike your fancy, remember that Disney offers a whole website page about special dining options as well as phone numbers and email addresses to connect with dining personnel before your trip. This is a great way to get information and request special dining options for your vacation. Disney is very accommodating when it comes to ensuring your dining experience is a good one; it just may take a bit of pre-planning. Also, if you’re already in a restaurant and don’t see anything for you on the menu, mention to your server that you’d like to hear more about Vegetarian and Vegan options. Many Disney World Chefs are more than willing to put together a delectable dish just for you — even on short notice!

Disney Contact Information for Special Diet Considerations
General Disney Special Diets Contact: [email protected], or 407-824-5967
Animal Kingdom: [email protected], or 407-938-3288
Hollywood Studios: [email protected], or 407-560-3551
Epcot: [email protected], or 407-560-6395
Magic Kingdom: [email protected], or 407-824-5967
(thanks to WDWinfo)

Other Helpful Links, Books, and Tips
Helpful grid of Vegetarian and Vegan items in Disney World Parks: While this does not include all restaurants and dining locations (and no resort options), it’s still a VERY helpful guide for those visiting the parks.
Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando (2000): One of the only dining guides for vegetarians in Disney World
Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, Second Edition (2003)
Website and Book Updates For Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando

As a disclaimer, in this blog post “Vegetarian” pretty much means the ingredients are “meat-free;” the qualification does not pertain to how or where the dishes are cooked, and does not take into consideration inclusion of eggs/dairy.

Check out the other “Best Disney World Restaurants” in our series!

Food Blog Weekly Round-Up: August 30th

By AJ 3 Comments

I am loving this week’s links! Chef Mickey’s, Star Wars cakes, Magical Dining Month in Orlando — what could be better?

I’m obligated to remind you, however, of all of the exciting Disney food news that’s bubbled up this week: the Wishes Dessert Party dates have been extended (which we’ve all been hoping for!), La Cava del Tequila is open (hooray!), and discounts abound for the 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

OK. Now that that’s out of the way… on to the Round-Up!

CakeWrecks posted some “sweet” (ha ha) Star Wars cakes: If you haven’t looked at CakeWrecks, you need to do so! The webmaster of this hilarious blog featuring real-world cakes gone wrong is also, lucky for us, a Disney fan!

DisneyDaddy reviews Chef Mickey’s: A tidy little run-down of one very hard-to-get dining reservation! Enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner at Chef Mickey’s, Chuck!

The DisneyChick shares her experience making Strawberry Banana Bread from Wilderness Lodge’s Whispering Canyon Cafe: I love that DisneyChick includes plenty of photos in these recipe blogs; in this one, the batter looks good enough to eat all by itself!

Main St. Gazette reminds us of the history of Downtown Disney restaurants Portobello and Fulton’s: The “Disney Magic” history, that is…

Check out Orlando’s Magical Dining Month and Latin Food and Wine Festival: During September, Magical Dining Month in Orlando, you can enjoy meals at the city’s top restaurants for just $20-$30 ($1 of which will go the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children)! This is a great way to be charitable while eating at some amazing places. Also, don’t miss the debut of Orlando’s Latin Food and Wine Festival October 1-3! Stop by and check these out if you’re in the area (and if you’re a foodie, which you know you are!).

Zannaland reviews Sanaa at AKL Kidani Village: A great review — including Sanaa’s treatment of birthdays at the restaurant!

Disneyland announces that it will charge $.99 for tomatoes on burgers: “Tomatoes were often something that guests requested to be removed from their burgers,” says a Disneyland spokesperson. Hmm…

Stitch Kingdom show us the medal for Disney’s Taste for the Race: The race may be in its final year, but you can go out with a bang with this finisher’s medal around your neck!

Thanks, everyone, for the great food posts this week! I’m always looking for Weekly Round-up fodder; if you see a great food post while you’re out and about this week, drop me a line via facebook, twitter, or email. Thanks!

Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila

By AJ 20 Comments

Tequila Variations ©Disney

It’s finally open! I’m so thrilled that the Cava is ready to serve (and even more thrilled that I get to share with you all the info about my tequila tasting at the Food and Wine Festival later this Fall!). This will be a welcome addition to the beautiful Mexico pavilion — especially for us foodies. Be sure to pick up your sombrero on the way out.

To peruse the Epcot Tequila bar menu, click on the link!

Here’s Disney’s official press release about La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico. Enjoy!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Tasty tequilas and mouthwatering margaritas are on tap at La Cava del Tequila, a new offering for Epcot guests to explore the heritage and tradition of tequila-making in Mexico.

Cava del Tequila munchies ©Disney

Tucked away in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, La Cava del Tequila beckons guests with more than 70 types of authentic tequila, ranging from the simplest to the rarest of them all, aged to perfection and made from the finest distilled spirits from the agave plant. Tequilas range in price from $8 to $50 for a specialty tequila.

Amid warm décor, art work and original artifacts all celebrating the Mexican heritage, a “Tequila Ambassador” is on hand to educate Walt Disney World guests on the history of tequila-making.

Also on the drink menu: Exotic and uniquely blended margaritas, introducing a variety of flavored salts, spices and tropical fresh fruits masterfully prepared by experienced mixologists.

Drinks de Tequila ©Disney

A variety of quick tastes, tapas style, will be available, including freshly made guacamole and ceviche as well as mahi mahi tostadas with diced mango and avocado and blue crab tostados with chipotle mayo and Valentina sauce.

The 30-seat La Cava del Tequila is open from noon until Epcot park closing time. It is connected to the famous San Angel Inn as part of the Mexico pavilion, a popular stop for Walt Disney World guests.

Recipe: Mango Mousse from Epcot Food and Wine Festival

By AJ 3 Comments

Since the 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is less than 30 days away, I thought it’d be fun to look at a recipe from last year’s festival!

mango-mousse

This Mango Mousse is from the India kiosk on the World Showcase promenade! It’s not on this year’s Food and Wine Festival Menu, but it still looks pretty tasty to me! Especially for these last few days of summer… 🙂

Mango Mousse, India, 2008 Epcot Food and Wine Festival
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup vanilla pudding
1 cup mango puree
¼ cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method of Preparation:
1. Peel mangos and puree them.
2. In another bowl, whip up heavy cream until firm.
3. Add vanilla pudding, puree, sifted powdered sugar and lemon juice. Mix with spatula.
4. Pour into cups.
5. Garnish with a little mango puree.
6. Chill.

I’d like to do a few more of these Food and Wine Festival recipes before this year’s event begins. If you have photos or recipes of Festival food that you’re willing to share, drop me a line via facebook, twitter, or email. Thanks!

Photo Credit: Dragonfiregrill
Recipe Credit: AllEars

Wishes Dessert Party Extended Dates Through End of October!

By AJ 13 Comments

Wishes Dessert Party Buffet

9/18 Update: Wishes Dessert Party has been extended through January 2nd, 2010!

Just spoke with Disney Dining and had it confirmed that the Wishes Dessert Party has been extended through the end of October! Call WDW-DINE to book (it’s news to a lot of the booking agents, so just be persistent! I was on the phone with guest services supervisors for quite a while confirming this…).

Call soon! There are some dates in September that are already sold out!

FYI: 24-hour cancellation, cost for two adults was $46. Also, it looks like the party might not be offered on Sundays in September.

You can see past posts on the Wishes Dessert Party here:
Wishes Dessert Party Announced (includes details of the evening)
Wishes Dessert Party Photos!!

Photo Credit: Zapperz @ MyDisneyMania.blogspot.com

Latest Disney World Food News and Rumors

By AJ 3 Comments

Head over to the Diamond Horseshoe for some grum...at least for now

Head over to the Diamond Horseshoe for some grub...at least for now

Too much happening to do individual posts on each! Just wanted to give you a run-down!

News and Reminders:

1. The Tomorrowland Terrace Cafe in the Magic Kingdom is open (and available for online booking) August 16, 23 and 30; and September 6, 13, 20 and 27. Click the link to book online and see sample menu items.

2. DVC members, Annual Passholders, and Tables in Wonderland members can now register in advance and at a discounted rate for 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival seminars and culinary demonstrations.

3. Epcot’s Mexico is scheduled to open its Cava del Tequila on August 28th (Friday!).

4. You can book the Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe (temporary table-service location) from now through October 3rd. Click the link to book online.

5. 8/27 Update: The Wishes Dessert Party has been extended through November 1st, 2009!

Rumors:

1. I was on the phone with a Tables in Wonderland cast member who mentioned that the discounted Food and Wine Festival seminar registration rates would become available to the general public on Friday, August 28th. Rumor only, folks, but this would be great, as those of us who want to experience several of the seminars can save a bunch of cash!

Disney Pool Bars: Hurricane Hanna’s

By AJ 5 Comments

Hurricane Hanna's Sign

After a truly amazing recent stay at the Yacht Club, I really wanted to share some info about Hurricane Hanna’s as the second installment of the Pool Bars series.

Stormalong Bay

This is the pool bar for Stormalong Bay, that mini-water-park nestled between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. I’ve spent many lovely afternoons lounging by this pool, taking advantage of the super-duper long shipwreck slide, and greatly enjoying the poolside service by Hurricane Hanna’s waitstaff.

Hurricane Hanna's Bar and Grill Sections

But even though you need a wristband proving that you’re staying at Y&BC to swim in Stormalong, you can visit Hurricane Hanna’s even if you’re not a resort guest! Strolling on the Boardwalk? Head over to Hanna’s for a hot dog or a Mai Tai! There are several tables with umbrellas available for guests to sit and relax.

Arrows Point You to the Correct Side of the Queue

Hurricane Hanna’s menu includes your standard Disney Pool Bar drinks (though I think I remember, back in the day, they had a drink called the Hurricane Hanna — anyone recall this?)

Disney Pool Bar Drink Menu

Frozen Selections

On the Rocks

And Hanna’s also has a varied food menu. You’ve even got a well-stocked condiments bar situated in a “canoe!”

Hot Items and Kids' Picks

Cold Selections and Snacks

Beer, Beverages, and Ice Cream

Condiments Canoe

Don’t forget that you can pop behind Hanna’s and play some ping pong!

Stormalong Bay Ping Pong Table

If you’re not at the pool, pop over to the Yacht Club beach to get a hair wrap, pick a pearl, or just relax on a lounge chair.

Yacht and Beach Club Hair Wrap Station

Pick a Peark Station

Hurricane Hanna’s, because it’s situated properly to be rather available for use by those just visiting the Boardwalk, is definitely one of the more accessible pool bars on Disney property. It’s also a great way to grab a glimpse at the largess of Stormalong Bay!

The next time you’re out and about between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, take a stroll over to the Yacht and Beach Clubs and enjoy a nice, relaxing beverage on the beach. You’ll thank yourself!

Interview: Celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon of Raglan Road

By AJ 16 Comments

Chef Kevin Dundon

Huge thanks to Chef Kevin Dundon, TV celebrity chef, restaurateur, and Master Chef of Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road, for taking the time to answer a few questions from the DisneyFoodBlog (especially the one about his 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival appearance this October)!

Be sure to stick around post-interview for an information collage about Chef Dundon’s varied career (he’s a young guy, but he’s had some serious culinary adventures!) along with some fantastic recipes from Raglan Road and his award-winning hotel and restaurant, Dunbrody House.

DisneyFoodBlog: What was your culinary vision for Raglan Road (as an authentic Irish pub); has it changed over the 4 years of the restaurant’s existence?
Chef Dundon: I love Raglan Road, because I take Irish dishes and give them a face lift. I can be very creative there; the menu is always changing, which keeps us up-to-date with fresh and interesting new products and procedures.

Raglan Road

DFB: What factors did you take into consideration when creating a menu for a theme park audience? How did this menu construction differ from those you’ve created for other restaurants and projects?
CD: I had to bear in mind that we would be catering for much larger numbers in Raglan Road. And also we, because of our location, get a large number of families. (Because of this, we have been voted in the top 50 in Open Table Family Dining.) Creating a meal experience for the entire family is our main goal, and the emphasis of our food is on fresh, additive-free food.

DFB: What do YOU order when you go to Raglan Road?
CD: I love the gourmet shepard’s pie; or I sometimes think you just can’t beat the fish and chips. Because everything is so good, it is very hard to select a favorite.

Wildforest Mushroom Chowder

DFB: Raglan Road, Orlando, was your second US restaurant. Since then, you’ve launched a third (with more on the way?). What do you enjoy about working and spending time in the US culinary arena?
CD: Yes — we are hoping to open a new restaurant within the next year! I love spreading the word on great food that originates from Ireland and Dunbrody House. I like to educate people of the great fun and sense of enjoyment that can be achieved through food.

DFB: You’ll be the host chef AND celebrity chef for the Culinary Adventure in Signature Dining at Raglan Road at the 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival this Fall. Any chance you could share a couple of the dishes the audience will get to taste at that event?
CD: Well, a lot of this is still under wraps at the minute, but I will give you a sneak preview by saying that we will be doing pan-seared Boston scallops and a suckling pig…can’t wait!

Battered Sausages with Mustard Mayonnaise

DFB: Is there a particular person or a memory that inspired your path in the “food business?”
CD: Yes. A chef called Dario Oterello. He was a Spanish chef, and he really gave me insight into flavoring food appropriately whilst letting the individual flavors stand for themselves.

DFB: Do you think your interest in architecture affects your recipe development and cooking?
CD: Yes; food is all about design, creativity, and putting the right “blocks” together.

DFB: Does your family like to spend time together in the kitchen?
CD: We would cook everyday together! I love to get my kids involved in cooking; it gives a very keen interest in food, which is my passion.

Dunbrody Kiss

DFB: What’s next up in the queue for you? Any projects coming up that you’re particularly excited about?
CD: Yes, I’m always busy! At the moment, I’m finishing the final stages of preparation on the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival plans. I’m also starting work on my next (third) cookery book to follow on from “Great Family Food.” I’m also looking forward to beginning my own television show.

Chef Dundon’s Accomplishments Reel
Celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon has cooked for many well-known celebrities during his career, including Her Majesty, the Queen; President Bush; and Bono. He has spent time in kitchens all over the world, from Switzerland, to Canada, to the US, and back to Ireland, where he served as the Executive Head Chef of the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, widely recognized as one of the most prestigious Chef appointments in the country.

Dunbrody House

Today, Chef Dundon is the Chef/Proprietor of Dunbrody Country House Hotel & Restaurant, located in South East Ireland and established in 1997 by Chef Dundon and his wife Catherine. Considered one of Ireland’s Premier Hotels & Restaurants, it has earned many awards, including Andrew Harper’s Grand Award for best Hideaway in the World, Restaurant of the Year, and several Michelin Guide awards.

In addition to his work with Dunbrody House and other projects globally, Chef Dundon continues to film television appearances and documentaries for national and international networks (including The Food Network, ESPN, the Travel Channel, and NBC), write for several culinary magazines and newspaper columns, produce cookbooks (including Full On Irish: Creative Contemporary Cooking, and Great Family Food), and serve as Signature/Master Chef for two other US restaurants in addition to Disney World’s Raglan Road, The Nine Fine Irishmen in Las Vegas, and Raglan Road’s sister restaurant in Kansas City.

Dunbrody Cookery School

When he’s NOT working, Chef Dundon spends time with Catherine and their three kids. The family just put the finishing touches on a brand new home in Ireland (which Chef Dundon’s love of architecture and design keenly inspired).

For more information on how YOU can take master cooking classes with Chef Kevin Dundon, check out the Dunbrody Cookery School.

Also, don’t forget to book NOW (407-WDW-FEST) to attend Chef Dundon’s signature dining experience at the 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival: October 13, 2009, 6:15 p.m., Raglan Road at Downtown Disney. Cost: $115

You can follow Chef Dundon on twitter at @ChefDundon.

Just to finish up, here are a few of Chef Dundon’s original recipes from Dunbrody House and Raglan Road! (You can see photos of these scattered throughout the post.)

Duncanon Seafood Chowder

Wild Mushroom Chowder (Eatin’ and Drinkin’)

Beer Battered Cocktail Sausages with Mustard Mayonnaise (Dalkey Duo)

Loin of Ham/Bacon with an Irish Mist Glaze (Kevin’s Heavenly Ham)

Dunbrody Kiss

Bread and Butter Pudding (Ger’s Bread and Butter Pudding)

Tables in Wonderland/DVC/Annual Passholder: 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Discounts

By AJ Leave a Comment

dining Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival offers Tables in Wonderland, Disney Vacation Club, and Annual Passholder Member discounts:
Members have a special opportunity to purchase discounted advance tickets to the culinary demonstrations and wine/beverage seminars at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival, taking place September 25 – November 8, 2009.Beginning Wednesday, August 26, a limited number of discounted tickets will be available for Members to purchase online in advance of the general public. The discounted rate is $5 a person (regularly $8 a person) while they last. (Events are expected to sell out.) Please note that the discount won’t be available at the event, so advance purchase is required to get the discounted rate. Discounted tickets, if available, may be purchased until 24 hours before the start of any individual session.

The culinary demonstrations and wine/beverage seminars, which last about 45 minutes, let participants learn from featured chefs and wine presenters, pick up a few tips and taste the featured items. Everyone must have a ticket to attend, and attendees must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

To register for the culinary demonstrations and wine/beverage seminars at the discounted rate, visit http://www.register123.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x173908616f

Thanks to Pinvestigator Cody at the Global Disney Pinvestigation Blog for this info (DisneyFoodBlog has to renew its Tables in Wonderland, apparently!).

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