LAKE BUENA VISTA – Celebrity chef and noted soul food expert Carla Hall visited Walt Disney World Resort this month with her family, embarking on a soulful culinary journey across the resort to experience a collection of culturally-inspired menu items found at various Disney restaurants.
Among the mouth-watering entrees and dishes on Hall’s “Cooking with Soul’’ tour, she savored the gumbo and beignets at Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge in Disney’s Port Orleans Resort; pork sliders and brussels sprouts at The Polite Pig at Disney Springs; shrimp ‘n grits and mac & cheese at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs and Tamarind-Braise Short Rib at Tiffins Restaurant inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
“The variety [of food] ran the gamut,” said Hall. “[We tried] not only food from The States, and different parts of America, but also internationally and into Africa.”
After the “Cooking with Soul” food tour, Hall and Disney chef Douglas James led a special cooking demonstration. Chef Douglas made lamb chops and collard greens that were paired with wines from the McBride Sisters Wine Company, a minority-owned business. The wines, which are available at Magic Kingdom Park, were curated by Disney sommelier Debbi Sacleux, proprietor of Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park.
The cooking demonstration capped off Hall’s experience of “Cooking with Soul,’’ which was created to be a celebration of the soulful history of ingredients, flavors and recipes of Walt Disney World Resort as well as how Walt Disney World Resort cast members find inspiration in creating foods and pairings that nourish the soul.
Hall and her family also spent plenty of time having fun in the Disney parks, including Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. One of their highlights was experiencing the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction at Epcot. They also spent time interacting with Princess Tiana and enjoyed Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom Park.
“Cooking with Soul” is one of the many ways guests can “Celebrate Soulfully’’ at Walt Disney World Resort and create soul-stirring experiences that include music, artwork and more.
Hall is an accomplished chef, best-selling author and television personality often recognized as a competitor on Top Chef and Top Chef: All Stars and as the former co-host of ABC’s The Chew. She is currently a culinary contributor on Good Morning America and featured regularly on Food Network. Her latest cookbook, “Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration,” is a celebration of the rich culture and history of soul food.
