NEWS: Disney Receives First MICHELIN Star for Victoria & Albert’s

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been awarded a highly prestigious award! Learn more below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Nicole Cantore:

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!

RELATED ARTICLE: 6 Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

by Kristin

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is the most spectacular and luxurious resort on property.  Everything about it is a picture of perfection and is designed to give you one of the best resort experiences you could ever have.  We love everything about this resort and look forward to staying here anytime we can, especially at the Club Level.  Here are six reasons why you should definitely consider a stay at the Grand Floridian:

6 – Prepare to be amazed as soon as you arrive.

The resort is absolutely stunning. Everything is white, bright, and in pristine condition. The resort looks elegant from the outside and then even more so once you walk in. You have the grand lobby with an orchestra playing, the huge birdcage, and the fresh, clean scents right when you walk in. The grounds are perfectly maintained, and the cast goes above and beyond to treat you like royalty. We really can’t get enough of this resort. It is a dream stay for many guests on property, so if you can stay here, feel privileged to be there!

5 – Great amenities and recreation.

The resort has everything that you could imagine. You have boat and water options, bike rentals, the largest and most grand spa on property, Senses, a hair salon, multiple gift shops and stores, a beautiful pool with cabana rental options, and so much more. This truly is a resort where you can show up and never want or need to leave. If you are staying here, you will definitely want to plan a couple of days to relax and enjoy the resort, as it would be a shame to miss out on it.

4 – Signature dining options. 

There is no way that you will ever go hungry while staying at this resort. There are so many different dining options, and they are all amazing. You have The Grand Floridian Café, a nice, quiet table service restaurant. You also have 1900 Park Fare, a buffet-style restaurant home to some of your favorite characters during breakfast and dinner. There are two signature restaurants, Citricos and Narcoossee’s. Both are delicious and provide a great atmosphere, but Narcoosee’s is our favorite since it is out on the water and offers views of the fireworks and the Magic Kingdom. Then you have the most luxurious and expensive restaurant on property, Victoria & Albert’s. For this restaurant, you will want to make sure you have your suit and most elegant clothes as there is a strict dress code. The menu is prix fixe and is served over multiple courses by world-renowned chefs. The restaurant is highly rated and has won numerous awards and honors. You have to add this to your Disney bucket list!

3 – Convenient transportation around property.

Transportation has always been a major selling point for staying at any of the Magic Kingdom area resorts. At the Grand Floridian, you have the monorail to take you right to the Magic Kingdom or the Contemporary and Polynesian Village Resort. You also have boat transportation that can help you get to all of those places, as well as Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. This makes dining at other resorts, enjoying their recreation activities, or trying out one of the dinner shows much more convenient. A walkway from the resort to the Magic Kingdom is also a great way to beat the crowd when leaving the park at night. There is so much to do and enjoy across all of Walt Disney World that you want to make the most of convenient transportation so you can do as much as possible in the little time that you have.

2 – Views of Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.

Yep, you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort. You can even watch from your room if you book a room with a theme park view. If you would rather watch from the grounds, head out to the resort’s dock area. The music is piped in, so you will be able to hear the music that accompanies the show while you watch. You can also view the Electrical Water Pageant from there, too. Many guests miss seeing this or do not even know it is there, so definitely take advantage of a great place to watch it.

1 – The most luxurious accommodations on property.

There are stays at the Grand Floridian that might make your head spin to know how much it would cost. With these options come the highest levels of luxury. One of the most expensive stays on property is the Main Building at the resort. This is one of the two club-level stay options on property, and you also get the benefit of staying right within the main building where most of the restaurants, shops, and entertainment are. No matter what room you choose, the Grand Floridian is the only resort where each and every guest receives a nightly turndown service and treats. It is all part of what makes the Grand one of the most luxurious and special stays that you can have while you are at Walt Disney World.