Meet the Woman Behind the Galactic Bites at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
More than just a theme park land, Galaxy’s Edge inserts guests directly into the Star Wars story, welcoming them to the planet of Batuu during the age of the First Order.
Photo: Disney
Home to Black Spire Outpost, Batuu is a remote planet on the edge of the galaxy. Here, guests find themselves amid a bustling marketplace where Resistance heroes evade the growing presence of the First Order.
Photo: Disney
As with any galactic hub, Batuu is also home to restaurants, snack stands, and bars.
Introducing Chef Maria Colon Cabrera
To bring the cuisine of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life, Disney turned to Maria Colon Cabrera, who leads the land’s culinary team.
A second-generation Cast Member, Maria is tasked with advancing the Galaxy’s Edge story through food.
Photo: Disney
“Joining the opening team for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Maria said. “As a Star Wars fan, seeing it built from the ground up, from dirt to props to menus, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Creating the Galaxy’s Edge Menu
When creating the menus for Galaxy’s Edge, Chef Maria and her team considered what foods guests already love while also asking what dishes would naturally fit within the Batuu story.
Photo: Disney
“We looked at familiar comfort foods and asked ourselves how Batuu would interpret them,” Maria explained.
Photo: Disney
“Pot roast, carrots, and potatoes are classic comfort food. But what’s the Batuu twist? Add turmeric for a warm golden color. Suddenly it looks like something you’d find in a trader’s stall in Black Spire Outpost. Food is a big part of the story at Galaxy’s Edge. If it doesn’t make sense for Batuu, it doesn’t belong.”
Working With Lucasfilm
According to Maria, one of the most rewarding aspects of her work has been collaborating directly with Lucasfilm to ensure the cuisine authentically fits within the Star Wars universe.
Photo: Disney
“It’s an honor,” she said. “We’re continuing the story they envisioned for Batuu through food.”
Reflecting on her journey, Maria emphasized that leadership is just as important as creativity. The Galaxy’s Edge culinary team continues to learn and innovate together every day, and she takes pride in helping fellow Cast Members grow their skills, experiment with new ideas, and infuse dishes with their own backgrounds.
Photo: Disney
“You don’t know your potential until you try,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Learn from them and be better than you were yesterday. The best storytelling happens when many voices help shape the experience.”
Photo: MickeyBlog
