Iron Chef Cat Cora Planning New Walt Disney World Restaurant

[buzz2001]

Cat Cora opening restaurant at Walt Disney World in 2010

The Orlando Sentinel's Cooking Gal Food Blog
by Heather McPherson
March 11, 2009

Just got off the phone with Iron Chef, Supermom Cat Cora. She’s working with Walt Disney World on a new signature restaurant concept for the theme park. Expect it to have the energetic, fresh, family-friendly vibe Cora is known for. I wouldn’t be surprised if the menu reflects her Greek and Mississippi roots. But don’t expect her to join the celebrity enclave in Central Florida. “I’m very much a California girl,” says Cora. “I love the east coast and I’m very lucky that my job involves a lot of travel — so I get to enjoy it often. But for our family, California is home.”

If the menu is anything like the food Cat Cora creates on the Food Network show Iron Chef America, then I can’t wait for this restaurant to open. The Orlando Sentinel reports they’re shooting for a 2010 opening.

[VWL Mom]

That would be great! I wonder if it will be a new restaurant or a replacement?

[DisneyWFan]

That would be great! I wonder if it will be a new restaurant or a replacement?

I Would Guess It Would Be A New Restaurant In DTD In The Old PI Area

[Celestria]

it may just be me, but i'm trying to think where a greek restaurant would fit. even in downtown disney.. i think they want to add stores and interactive stuff there.. but as i said, it may just be me and i could be wrong.

[lockedoutlogic]

I Would Guess It Would Be A New Restaurant In DTD In The Old PI Area

that would be the smart money....but there are other places that could use it.

The Magic Kingdom could definitely use it....but the atmosphere and no alcohol policy probably would not be compatible.

Animal Kingdom is still sorely lacking in viable dining options....though yak and yeti is a definite step in the right direction

PI/ Marketplace/ West Side would be fine


My personal desire? That they do in fact turn Virgin into an ESPNZone....and then this new restaurant can go into the spot vacated on the Boardwalk.....

this is some actual GOOD news coming out of Florida.....after a string of stupid cheapskate cost cutting boo-hoo moves

[Figment!]

**Moderator Note**

Since this isn't a currently available Dining Option, I'm going to move this down to the News & Rumours forum for further discussion.

Please keep all hands, arms and legs inside the thread until it comes to a complete stop.

[IamBelle]

A Greek restaurant would be good in WS, But I doubt it would go there. It will Probably be in DTD.
Also, I hope Cat Cora puts at least one of her crazy ice cream concoctions on the menu! That would definitely be interesting!

[GrumpyFan]

My personal desire? That they do in fact turn Virgin into an ESPNZone....and then this new restaurant can go into the spot vacated on the Boardwalk.....

this is some actual GOOD news coming out of Florida.....after a string of stupid cheapskate cost cutting boo-hoo moves

You may get your wish, kinda -

According to an article from Orlando Business Journal -

Celebrity chef Cat Cora plans to work with Walt Disney World in opening a family restaurant at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort this fall.

Disney will own and operate the new restaurant, called Kouzzina by Cat Cora. It will replace Spoodles restaurant at the Boardwalk location.

Cora began working with Disney last year to create a video on demand series on healthy eating. She is a regular on the Food Network’s show Iron Chef America.

Disney said that Cora will create a menu for the new restaurant, which will feature Mediterranean cuisine. The Mississippi native was born to a family of Greek restaurateurs.

Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also is executive chef for Bon Appétit magazine. Cora has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

Although, I must say I'm a a little bummed by this. My family and I have always enjoyed Spoodles. It doesn't surprise me though, because the restaurant never was all that crowded. I think the "Mediterranean" label confuses people because it's not a common type of restaurant food. Adding Cat Cora's name to the header may help. Regardless, I like Cat Cora, and I look forward to this new (changed) restaurant on the Boardwalk.

I agree too though, this is some GOOD news coming out of Florida after numerous bad ones.

[Figment!]

Here's the press release:

Celebrity Chef Cat Cora To Open New Walt Disney World Restaurant

Walt Disney World Resort Press Release
March 17, 2009


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla -- Chef Cat Cora and Disney are joining together to open an exciting new family dining restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort. Kouzzina by Cat Cora will feature a menu of Mediterranean-style cuisine that pays tribute to the chef’s Greek roots.

The restaurant, to be owned and operated by Disney, is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles.

“I am pleased to welcome Cat Cora and her engaging new concept for Kouzzina to the Walt Disney World Resort,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “This collaboration between Cat and Disney represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to offer unique culinary experiences and choices for our guests.”

As a Mississippi native born to a family of Greek restaurateurs, Cora grew up immersed in two different and flavorful cultures , and has taken from that unique background the kitchen “know-how” handed down through generations. The cuisine at Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen” and pronounced “koo-zee-nah”) will showcase Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora’s philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals.

Cora said that the new restaurant will feature “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.”

She began working with Disney in 2008 by creating a Disney Video on Demand series to showcase ways to help families develop more healthy eating habits. “I’m extremely excited about this latest extension of my relationship with Disney,” she said. “Together, we’re going to develop a truly amazing contemporary Mediterranean restaurant.”

The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's hit show “Iron Chef America,” Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also is Executive Chef for Bon Appétit magazine. In addition to hosting the instructional cooking demonstrations for Disney Video on Demand, Cora has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

[Arielfan98]

I'm so excited!!! I wanna eat there!