We want you to get the most out of your ‘luxury villa’ stay in Solterra, Davenport (near Championsgate and just south of the Disney World Resort area). To help out, we have sourced the following blog post to keep you up to date with news from Walt Disney World Resort. Thanks to the guys over at Disney Parks for the original post...
In our newest Disney Eats update, we’re featuring two important food connoisseurs visiting Walt Disney World Resort to Celebrate Soulfully – through food! Renowned BBQ pit master Big Moe Cason and celebrity chef Carla Hall each took their own Cooking With Soul food tours to experience how Walt Disney World Resort highlights and celebrates diverse cultures and cuisines, as well as meet the culinary teams who bring these offerings to life.
This summer, Big Moe Cason took a break from his new show now streaming on Disney+, A World of Adventure with Big Moe Cason, to visit Walt Disney World Resort and experience all the exciting ways to Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Parks. Being the big family man that he is, Big Moe brought his family along for the ride to experience entertainment and taste first-hand the incredible cuisines that are a part of Cooking With Soul.
Throughout their visit, they dropped by EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney Springs to see what foods they could get their hands (and taste buds) on, discovering a variety of BBQ offerings, such as brisket, mac and cheese, and even pescatarian and plant-based options for BBQ fans!
While at EPCOT, Big Moe explored the World Showcase and came across Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, home to mouthwatering options like the Memphis Dry-rub Pork Ribs. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue Chef Conrad and Moe discussed their favorite smoking techniques while Moe tried some of the delicious BBQ dishes available at this smokehouse.
While venturing over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with his daughter, Montgomery, he saw how Flame Tree Barbecue cooks with soul with some of their incredible options, like the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork. Big Moe and his daughter quickly learned why this spot is a must-try.
Lastly, over at Disney Springs, they found Local Green Orlando Food Truck, a black-owned food truck with multiple eats that light up your palate with a combination of fresh flavors and vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options, including the BBQ Jackfruit dish.
In addition to the tasty ways to Celebrate Soulfully, he and his family got to explore some of the entertainment and displays that allow artists and performers to share diverse stories through their craft. The American Adventure at EPCOT is home to Soul of Jazz. Here he toured the history of this musical art form that originated with African Americans and fuses influences from many different cultures, learning where jazz took root and how it grew into the genre we know today.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Moe and Montgomery had the chance to view one of their favorite shows at Walt Disney World Resort – Festival of the Lion King. They delighted in the larger-than-life show filled with songs, pageantry, and puppetry celebrating this classic film.
While at Disney Springs, Big Moe also explored the Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression. Here, he checked out some of the art being live-painted on the art walk – a place where artists are able to tell diverse stories and connect us with various communities in unique ways.
Get a glimpse into some of the ways Big Moe and his daughter Montgomery were able to celebrate soulfully in this special Disney Eats video!
Another guest this summer, Carla Hall, took the media on a Cooking With Soul food tour across Walt Disney World Resort and had a chance to taste all the delicious dishes for herself. From Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge to Tiffins Restaurant, she was able to get a diverse sampling of the delicious dishes that are made with soul and allow guests like Carla and Big Moe to taste the cultures around the world.
At Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, she got to indulge in Gumbo, a New Orleans staple found at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory, and one with a Disney twist – Mickey Beignets – from Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge! While at Disney Springs, the pork sliders and brussels sprouts from The Polite Pig as well as the shrimp ‘n grits, mac & cheese, and the famous fried chicken at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ were all served up and did not disappoint. Lastly, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Carla tried the Tamarind-braised Short Rib and North African-spiced Tofu at Tiffins Restaurant.
After her Cooking With Soul food tour, Chef de Cuisine at Walt Disney World Resort, Douglas James, led a special cooking demonstration featuring lamb chops and his take on pan-seared collard greens. Carla also got a meet and greet with none other than Princess Tiana herself!
Check out this video to see all the ways Carla was able to Celebrate Soulfully on her Cooking With Soul Food Tour and what it means to her to Celebrate Soulfully!
Overall, from the food to the culture being created right before their eyes, Big Moe and Carla Hall got a glimpse into the many ways that diverse cultures are celebrated at Walt Disney World Resort.
On your next visit, be sure to try out some of these unique offerings and get a taste of the diverse cultures around us with your very own Cooking With Soul food tour. And when you do, don’t forget to use #DisneyEats so we can see all your favorites!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
That's all folks!
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