Congratulations are in order for the incredible team at Victoria & Albert’s as they have been awarded a highly coveted MICHELIN Star and the 2024 Florida Service Award for Maître d’Hôtel Israel Pérez! These distinguished honors for the culinary crown jewel of Walt Disney World Resort mark the first time Disney has received this accomplishment and we couldn’t be prouder of the entire team at Victoria & Albert’s who have made this such a culinary masterpiece at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
For over 20 years, Victoria & Albert’s has been dazzling guests with a multi-course experience, filled with extraordinary flavors and the highest quality of ingredients from across the world. Beyond the culinary creations in the kitchen, the team has curated a world-class wine collection featuring more than 500 different selections. Sommeliers are there to guide you through this precisely selected collection – or recommend options from a zero-proof beverage menu – to create your perfect pairing.
The culinary team upholding this long beloved and revered legacy is led by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers, with nearly 20 years spent at Victoria & Albert’s and experience assisting in the creation of acclaimed menus for Remy on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Alongside him handling the sweeter side of the kitchen is Pastry Chef Ally Rogers, who leads the entire pastry team for the resort.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by MICHELIN for the innovative dining experience our team brings to life here at Victoria & Albert’s,” said Chef Matthew. “Everybody on our team earned this Star, from our stewards to our culinarians to our pastry chefs, and we hope to inspire future generations of culinary professionals to follow their dreams.”
For over 20 years, Sommelier Israel Perez, now the recipient of the 2024 Florida Service Award, has been dedicated to creating memorable experiences at signature restaurants across Walt Disney World Resort. As the maître d’hotel, Israel and his team ensure that each person who walks through the doors of Victoria & Albert’s has a perfect evening through each step of service.
“Just like a dance, there are many tiny steps that come naturally after years of dedication. Everything is done with purpose, and it is beautiful when the tempo is perfect,” said Israel.
Overseeing culinary operations and teams of the 13 food and beverage locations at this resort is Executive Chef Kevin Chong. Last but certainly not least is Culinary Director Chef Scott Hunnel, who was at the helm of Victoria & Albert’s for many years and now provides his expertise and mentorship to culinary teams across multiple Disney Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World Resort.
In addition to now being the first and only restaurant owned and operated by a U.S. theme park destination to hold a MICHELIN Star, Victoria & Albert’s is the sole location in Florida to hold the honor of having both the AAA Five Diamond, consecutively since 2000, and the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards, consecutively since 2018, and one of only 26 others in the nation with this same unique distinction. It has also been awarded Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame – American Regional.
Congratulations to this talented team on these exceptional achievements!
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