Victoria & Albert’s, located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, has been awarded a Michelin Star — the first for a Disney-owned and operated restaurant.
Victoria & Albert’s Earns Michelin Star
The announcement was shared at the 2024 Michelin Guide Ceremony held in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, April 18. The restaurant’s Maître d’Hôtel, Israel Pérez, was also presented with the 2024 Florida Service Award.
This is the first time a Disney restaurant has been awarded this high honor. However, Capa Steakhouse at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando — located on Walt Disney World property — also has a Michelin Star.
The restaurant’s team of chefs is led by Chef Matthew Sowers, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and worked at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. He was later mentored by James Beard “Best Chef in the South” nominee Chef Scott Hunnel, who recruited him for the Victoria & Albert’s team.
Sowers has also assisted in the creation of menus for Remy for Disney Cruise Line aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
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. 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.
Chef Matthew Sowers, chef de cuisine for Victoria & Albert’s
The restaurant has received other prestigious awards and honors, including the AAA Five Diamond Award since 2000, the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star since 2018, the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame – American Regional.
According to the Michelin Guide, anonymous inspectors rate restaurants based on five criteria when awarding Michelin Stars: quality of ingredients used, the mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, the harmony of flavors, and the consistency between visits. Interior decoration, table settings, and service quality are not factored into awarding stars.
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