I have a recipe for inspiration to share with you: Take a pinch of passion, a dash of opportunity and a sprinkle of Disney pixie dust. Mix in behind-the-scenes insights and a lot of fun. This makes four days worth of magical memories for two dozen lucky culinary fans!
This recipe came to life last week when Walt Disney World Resort, Visit Orlando, New Orleans & Company and Southwest Airlines came together to select 24 young women – all of whom are aspiring chefs – from non-profit organizations and programs out of New Orleans, Louisiana to Orlando, Florida for a trip at The Most Magical Place On Earth. They followed in the footsteps of Princess Tiana from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog”, whose story drew inspiration from the impactful life of NOLA restauranteur Leah Chase, on a journey from the bayou into the heart of Walt Disney World.
The future culinarians were invited to savor all Walt Disney World has to offer with fine dining and fun in all four theme parks and across the Disney Resort hotels, including a special tour of Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. They were also invited into the kitchen themselves to learn from Disney chefs across the world-class culinary teams at the resort!
“I love this trip, it’s been so amazing,” said 19-year-old Dailayah Ernest from Warren Easton High School. “[This experience] will help me find the right spot for me. I also hope this inspires other women and little girls to follow their dreams, because good things happen to people who follow their dreams!”
Paving the way for the next generation of dreamers, doers, movers and makers is part of the DNA of Disney, and for the culinary team hosting this group of aspiring chefs, it was a full-circle moment of inspiration.
“Food brings people together – whether it’s over a table to share a meal, or like today, when these talented young women visited Central Florida to spend time with our culinary cast here at Walt Disney World,” said Chef Christine Weissman, Culinary Director. “Many of us here at Disney found our own passions by studying with more experienced chefs, so it’s special that we get to share some of that inspiration with our new friends today.” And, of course, they had to drop on in to see one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs in the bayou! The group visited Princess Tiana in her new attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, for a thrilling good time.
As the group returns home to New Orleans, we hope they take with them a little extra special spice – inspiration for their culinary careers, encouragement to dream big, and, as Tiana says, “never, ever lose sight of what’s really important!”