Disney has confirmed the latest rumor that they and Iron Chef Cat Cora are joining together to open a new family dining restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk. 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.
Since her new restaurant will be replacing Spoodles, Cora might make some fans by reincarnating the popular Spoodles Breakfast Buffet from a few years back. I’m sure they still have that menu laying around somewhere.
I like Cat Cora, but I also like Spoodles. And the Spoodles sign fit in well with the whole look of the Boardwalk. I hope the Kouzzina sign will fit in.
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DIsney ALready had their own version of an Iron CHef…Chef Tony Marrotta, formerly of spoodles… In typical fashion Disney takes something that is great and ends it completely… to put in a So CAlled Iron CHef…the only one with a losing record I might add… MAybe this is in the interest of diversity cause it sureisnt in the interest of its guests..Chef Tony’ s Menu Would beat Cat Cora hands down
Has a menu been released yet?
Vinny – I could not agree more, Spoodles was an awesome restaurant with an awesome Chef. Tony was not only a brilliant chef, but also one of the most accomodating disney cast members I had ever encountered with regards to special requests and my kid’s allergies. He went out of his way each and every time we dined there as if we were the only people there. Cat Cora’s menu doesn’t impress me, I guess it’s just a big name to woo in some crowds who don’t know any better.
It’s great to have a Greek style restaurant at WDW. The chef comes highly rated and we look forward to enjoying it on our next visit!
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