LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 19, 2024) – Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been awarded a MICHELIN Star, becoming the first restaurant owned and operated by a U.S. theme park destination to earn this prestigious distinction. Additionally, Maître d’Hôtel Israel Pérez has received MICHELIN’s 2024 Florida Service Award.
For over 20 years, Victoria & Albert’s has offered a multi-course dining experience, featuring carefully curated menus with premium ingredients sourced globally. Beyond the culinary creations in the kitchen, the restaurant has a world-class wine collection featuring more than 500 different selections. Led by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers and Pastry Chef Ally Rogers, the culinary team expressed gratitude for the recognition.
“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 Sowers. “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 more than 20 years, Sommelier Israel Perez has been committed to crafting dining moments throughout Walt Disney World. Serving as the maître d’hôtel, Israel and his team diligently ensure that guests of Victoria & Albert’s have an unforgettable experience.
“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 Perez.
Victoria & Albert’s is the sole location in Florida to hold both the AAA Five Diamond and the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards, consistently since 2000 and 2018 respectively. With this latest accolade, Victoria & Albert’s joins an elite group of only 26 establishments across the nation with this unique distinction. The restaurant has also been honored with the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame – American Regional.
Recognized globally, the MICHELIN Guide is widely considered an authority on dining quality and excellence and an international benchmark for fine dining. Restaurants in the MICHELIN Guide are recommended by anonymous inspectors, who assess restaurant quality based upon five criteria: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu.
To learn more about Victoria & Albert’s or to make reservations, please visit DisneyWorld.com.
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