Universal Orlando’s video podcast Discover Universal (available on YouTube and Spotify) shared with fans a sneak peek of some of the most anticipated foods that guests can find throughout the newest park in Orlando. Across all five of the new lands, the themed food and beverage that Universal Orlando Resort has crafted goes beyond anything seen at theme parks to date, immersing guests in a culinary flight of fancy that ties perfectly in with some of the most intricately themed lands and restaurants able to be experienced anywhere in the industry. Discover Universal recently published a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most anticipated Epic foods, featuring some of Universal’s top culinary talent.
Join adventurers Dylan, Cassie, and Michelle, alongside Chef Jens Dahlmann, VP and Executive Chef, Culinary Operations at Universal Orlando Resort, as they discuss the variety of foods, the intense theming that goes into every dish, and how Universal Orlando Resort continues to set the bar for theme park restaurants.
Chef Jens expressed his pride over the operation of Pizza Moon, which hand-crafts its pizza dough daily and, according to him, rivals the best pizza in New York. In fact, much of the cuisine at Celestial Park took cues from New York food culture, from Chinatown to Little Italy, the blending of cultures serves as a big inspiration for the array that Universal Orlando offered.
“I want to make sure the food really is comparable to what you’d see in New York City,” he explained, expressing his pride in the Asian and Italian fare that is offered in Celestial park. “It’s just great food.”
Approaching food as a passion project, Chef Jens joined the Universal Culinary team a year and a half ago on the back-end of finalizing Epic Universe’s food and theming, considering it a great honor and a great challenge to help the park wrap up the development of the Universal Food Program.
Chef Jens has lauded the portfolio of restaurants at Epic Universe, with two full-service restaurants, eight direct-to-table restaurants, eight bars, and ten carts that give guests an incredible variety of unique foods, like the Birria Hotdog at Comet Dogs, topped with pineapple. Chef Jens and his team of culinary creatives took great pains throughout the creation of these eclectic menus to ensure that not only were guests given the chance to try unique dishes across a variety of intense cuisines, but that there would be something for everyone – even those with simpler palettes, who may find the unique and sometimes strange flavor combinations too much. It’s that kind of thought put into the overall guest experience that makes Universal Orlando Resort stand out as an exemplary themed entertainment destination.
Check out the full 45-minute Discover Universal video podcast below, and don’t forget to check out the Shark Bites Directory, Theme Park Shark’s own directory for all of Epic Universe’s most snackable places – find full menus, prices, pics, and descriptions for Epic Universe restaurant from the full table-service Atlantic to the Turbo-Boost Treats popcorn cart.
Check back soon, as Theme Park Shark will continue to report on the remarkable theming of Epic Universe, as well as theme park news from Disney, Universal, and theme parks from all across the world!
