Disney Parks Podcast

Experience the menu firsthand and send off the chefs at a James Beard House Preview Dinner on November 3, 2016

The invite is one that practically every chef would love to receive: the coveted offer to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York. This invite-only opportunity is extended by the James Beard House to chefs based on numerous criteria, including national reputation and demonstrated culinary excellence. This culinary dream come true is happening for Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi and Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber, of Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.

The dynamic duo is headed to the Big Apple to cook at the James Beard House on Saturday, November 12, 2016.

“Cooking at the James Beard House is like cooking for a legend. It is the holy grail for chefs,” says Chef Schenardi. “It’s exciting for us to have this honour, and we can’t wait to present a memorable evening.”

Schenardi and team will present a five-course dinner, including a shaved artichoke salad with wild watercress, ricotta, toasted pistachios and a Moscato vinaigrette; smoked Clear Creek wagyu beef with beef fat aioli, charred leek and garrotxa; Carabinero shrimp with a saffron broth, sunchokes and mint; Ellensburg lamb tenderloin with quince, pumpkin and maple; and an apple rustic tart, with Spanish tetilla cheese and vanilla gelato. Each course will be paired with a different wine. The menu was designed to showcase the diverse restaurant concepts at the Resort, representing “a culinary tour of Four Seasons Orlando.”

Cory Saffran, Director of Food and Beverage, says he believes the team was invited to cook because they have such a unique story to tell. “We’re proud to operate all of our Resort restaurants without an outside celebrity chef, and we have garnered a lot of recognition for each concept since opening,” notes Saffran. “The culinary scene in Orlando has experienced a true evolution the past few years and I feel we have been at the forefront of this change. Guests will enjoy tasting flavuors from local Florida fare to Cuban and then Spanish to Italian all in one evening!”

While the exquisite dinner will be served in New York on November 12, Orlando locals will have a chance to experience the meal in the Sunshine State. On November 3, 2016, at 6:30 pm, Chefs Schenardi and Saber are hosting a special preview dinner in the demonstration kitchen of Ravello, where they will have a trial run of this five-course menu with wine pairings. Attendees will be invited to sign a special “lucky apron” that the chefs can wear when they’re at the James Beard House. The dinner is available for USD 95 per person (tax and gratuity additional) and space is limited. Reservations: 407 313 6161.