Connor’s October wish visit brought festival tastings and kitchen time with chefs at EPCOT in Walt Disney World. Planning started with a phone call 10 months earlier.
Connor dreams of becoming a chef. He lives with a neurological condition that may affect his ability to enjoy food later in life. His wish was a food-tasting tour with Disney chefs.
Chef Eddie, EPCOT’s culinary director, worked with Make-A-Wish, Connor’s family and the culinary team to shape the experience around him.
The surprises started before he reached Florida.
The team sent a box to his hometown in Minnesota with World Showcase pavilion T-shirts for the family. It also held a Disney Culinary crossbody bag and a baseball cap signed by team members. Welcome cards came from Food & Beverage locations across EPCOT.
Festival tastings with the chefs
Cast members welcomed the family at World Celebration Gardens before the group headed out with chefs and EPCOT Vice President Matt Simon.
The visit coincided with the 30th anniversary of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. At the Fry Basket, the group picked up a Fry Flight before heading to Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey.
There, Connor’s family found a table of food and beverages waiting for them.
“We wanted to surprise his family with one of everything from the entire menu,” said Chef Tony.
The chefs explained how they developed the dishes before the festival. Connor shared his love for the fried pickle spears while talking with them about the food.
Behind the scenes, cast members had walked the route and worked through logistics beforehand. During the visit, Chef Marco contacted teams as the family approached each marketplace so they could begin preparing.
A personalized coat and kitchen time
After four morning booths, Chef Goofy and Chef Eddie presented Connor with his own personalized chef coat in a nearby kitchen.
“It was my favorite part of the entire day,” said Jessica, Connor’s mom.
Then it was Connor’s turn to cook.
At Connections Café & Eatery, he made pizza alongside Chef Joey before working on pastries with Chef Amanda.
The family finished the day with dinner at Space 220, where the culinary team had arranged surprise desserts.
Source: Disney Experiences
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