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Category Archives: Food
Disney-Sponsored Chef’s Gala Raises $170,000 for United Way
More than 20 top chefs from Central Florida’s finest restaurants recently joined forces at Walt Disney World Resort for the 18th Annual Chef’s Gala, the premier fundraiser for the Heart of Central Florida United Way (HFUW). Event organizers say the tasteful event raised nearly $170,000 for Central Floridians in need.
Nearly 1,000 guests enjoyed Chef’s Gala 2010, an evening at Epcot World Showplace featuring live music, fine wines and extraordinary cuisine served up by world-renowned chefs. Proceeds from the event benefit local non-profit programs supported by United Way that provide food, shelter and many other critical social services.
“Chef’s Gala 2010 was a success by every measure,” said Robert H. (Bob) Brown, President/CEO of Heart of Florida United Way. “During a year of continued economic downturn, businesses and individuals turned out in great numbers, not only because they believe in United Way, but also to help address our community’s great and growing need. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s support.”
Walt Disney World Resort has served as host and sponsor of Chef’s Gala since its inception. Through Disney’s support of the event, more than $1 million has been raised for programs that serve the most vulnerable Central Floridians. Additionally, Walt Disney World Resort is the largest contributor to HFUW with Cast Members annually donating approximately $3 million to the organization.
To learn more about Heart of Central Florida United Way, visit www.hfuw.org.
Something’s Cookin’ in the Disney Kitchen
Check out this yummy article from the Disney Parks Blog:
I don’t know about all of you…but when I’m in the mood for something sweet, a good cookie is all it takes to satisfy the craving. One of my favorites and hopefully one of yours too, is our giant Chocolate Chip cookies. Created in the shape of everyone’s favorite character, Mickey Mouse, these delectable treats practically melt in your mouth. Just the smell and taste of them makes me think back to when I was little, and watching my mom pull a warm tray of cookies out of the oven, and setting it on the windowsill to cool with the smell of the cookies wafting through the house.
Being so busy, I hardly have time to make cookies myself, so when I decide to bring a special treat home for the family, the giant Chocolate Chip cookie is my first choice. And my favorite part…the ears are actually dipped in chocolate. It’s sinfully delicious and at a price anyone can afford. They’re only $4.95.
My favorite place to find them, you ask? Goofy’s Candy Kitchen at Downtown Disney, Sweet Spells and Candy Cauldron at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Main Street Confectionery at Magic Kingdom park, of course.
Top Casual Dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Area
Looking over the list of restaurants around Disney Animal Kingdom is kinda slim especially when you want a good sit down meal. I was left with 3 options to choose from which doesn’t make for a good list for our weekly series Top Eats.
So I decided to include those resorts around the Animal Kingdom Area to help expand my choices even further. That opened it up a little more but nowhere near as many choices as Epcot or the Magic Kingdom area holds.
Here are the list of restaurants that are available for a good sit down meal in the Animal Kingdom Area.
5. Yak & Yeti - Really good Asian Food, I would say even better than Nine Dragons in Epcot. For me it is more authentic and don’t get me started on the Dim Sum for two..The only downfall is the atmosphere isn’t as great as some Disney Restaurants it feels like a quick service restaurant for the most part.
4. Rainforest Cafe – I can see why this is a national chain. Great food and even better atmosphere. This is one of the places we try to visit every time we are at Disney World. I like the Animal Kingdom stop better than the Downtown Disney. It seems it’s not as busy as it’s counterpart.
3. Tusker House – One of the must eat places for my family and I to get breakfast. There are plenty of unique food choices here and seeing Mickey & the Gang dressed in Safari gear is very cool.
2. Sanaa – The most unique Dining locations in the Animal Kingdom area. The food is a fusion of India and African. Some dishes are really good while others fall kind of flat. Still a very good restaurant but no where near as good as my top choice…
1. Boma – My favorite Dinner Buffet in all of Walt Disney World. I could eat here every day and not get sick of it. There are so many choices and the food is so delicious if you have never been you NEED to go! A perfect fusion of Indian, African and a touch of Asian.
What are your Top Eats from around the Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comment section below.
Disney Food Confession – Warm Chocolate Banana Torte
Where is it? Citricos – Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World.
What is it? Warm Chocolate Banana Tart – vanilla ice cream and caramelized bananas.
Why you want it? Almost to pretty to eat, and yes that is an edible chocolate crown.
Photo Credit: by downbeat via Flickr
If you have a Disney Food Confession email chip@chipandco.com or let us know on the Disney Food Confessions Facebook page.. He is accepting Food ideas or Photos if you have them!
What’s your favorite Disneyworld Speciality Drinks?
What better accompaniment to that Disney meal than a fantastic Disney Specialty Drink. Fruity, Creamy, Glowing, Sweet, Salty there is literally something for everyone. It would be impossible to list all the Disney Specialy drinks from all the Disney Resorts, Parks, and Shops, as Disney is constantly updating, changing and improving our choices.
What I plan on doing is highlighting some of the best I had while visiting the parks along with some of the all time classic Drinks that Disney has perfected over the years.
Lets dive right in.
10. Sci-Fi Dine in Milkshake – I honestly think the Sci-Fi makes one of the best milkshakes I have ever had. It goes perfectly with any of their meals and tastes even better at the Drive In watching movies.
9. Tequila – At Disneyworld? You are Crazy! La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion serves over 70 varieties of authentic tequila, from the simplest to the rarest.
8. Coca-Cola From Around the World – One of my favorite stops in Epcot is at Club Cool. I love tasting the different flavors of pop that is released throughout the world. Did I mention that it’s free too?
7. Lapu lapu – Who doesn’t like alcohol served in a pineapple? There are so many choices of specialty drinks to get at the Polynesian Resort. From the Backscratcher to the Pina Colova, just be sure to take Disney transportation back to your room.
6. Decadent Drinking Chocolate with Biscotti – My wife would be mad if I didn’t include a drink from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney. If you love chocolate you will love this drink!
5. Magical Star Cocktail at The Wave in the Contemporary Resort. What is it? It’s X-fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, served with a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube. Another choice for glowing drink would be the Glow-tini at the 50′s Prime Time Cafe. While both different in flavors they both have the Glowing ice cubes 
4. Grey Goose Citron Slush or Grand Marnier Orange Slush – This was a tough call but since they are both from the France Kiosk in Epcot’s World Showcase I am going to count them as one.
3. Dole Whip Float – I love a Dole Whip Float. The Ice Cream, the pineapple juice. Just delicious. If I had to pick one cold drink at the parks to get it would be a Dole Whip Float. We spend many of our snack credits at Aloha Isle.
2. Pog Juice – This is a must for breakfast at Ohana’s or Kona Cafe. Give me some POG Juice and a Kona Coffee and I am set. I have made it outside the park and it is almost as good as what Ohana’s makes. So be sure to click on the link and try it out for your family. Speaking of Kona Coffee that leads me to the #1 Specialty Drink.
1. Kona Coffee French Press Pot – I love coffee. I drink it everyday. Hot or cold, over ice or in syrup format (shout out to my RI friends and turning me on to Coffee Syrup!) I can honestly say this is the best cup of coffee I have ever had. I know it says coffee for 2 but I always get a Press Pot for myself. Hands down best drink at WDW.
What are some of your absolute favorite drinks at Walt Disney World. Let us know in the comment section below.
