Meet Two Of Disney’s Incredible Chefs In Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
There’s only a few more days left of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month but we couldn’t let the month pass by without focusing our attention on a couple of the incredible chef’s that bring their unbelievable talents into the kitchens at Walt Disney World: Chef Conrado Pascual, known as “Chef Dhindo,” from Disneyland Resort and Chef Jessi Sudsa-nguan from Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.
Chef Dhindo, Disneyland park Chef
Chef Dhindo began cooking at a young age, initially learning to create authentic Filipino dishes. It was a dream of Chef Dhindo’s mother to open a restaurant of her own. When that dream became a reality, Chef Dhindo was able to explore his own culinary talents.
He would go on to create many of the specialty dishes at the restaurant.
After moving to the US with his family, Chef Dhindo went to culinary school and eventually got a job at Disneyland Resort where he has been working for the last decade. During his time at the “Happiest Place on Earth” he helped create many tasty treats including dishes for Red Rose Taverne to his current post at the Blue Bayou Restaurant.
He also helped in the successful launch of Tropical Hideaway known for their exotic treats like the Loco Moco Bao, Traditional Pork Lumpia and Sweet Lumpia.
The menu at Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland quickly became a fan favorite which Chef Dhindo recalls was an important moment in his career. “It feels good to see that people are happy with it… I’m so proud of it,” he said.
The Loco Moco Bao for instance was his play on the famous Hawaiian Loco Moco dish of spam, eggs and rice.
Chef spoke briefly about what motivates him in the kitchen saying, “We try our best to come up with as playful, authentic and well-themed items as possible.” He went on to say that this is one of the challenges when you’re cooking for thousands of guests each day but he embraces the possibilities when it comes to imagining unique dishes that visitors will fall in love with!
Chef Jessi Sudsa-nguan, Pastry Sous Chef at Amorette’s Patisserie
If you’ve ever popped into Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs, chances are you’ve tasted the handiwork of Chef Jessi. Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Chef Jessi has been working at Disney Resort hotels including Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
She said that she originally had aspirations of being a Disney Animator but changed her mind due to a mentor that taught her how to turn her artistry toward the culinary arts.
Today, Chef Jessi works over at Amorette’s Patisserie where she helps create the beautiful cakes and pastries that truly dazzle. One of her specialties is creating limited-time desserts and holiday displays.
All month long, Chef Jessi has been sharing her culture through a special Jasmine Tea Cream Tart which has been available to purchase at the shop. This treat is as delicious as it sounds and mixes a wide range of colors and flavors including lychee a key ingredient from her culture.
“When guests try my dessert, I hope they enjoy the refreshing flavor of lychee, the tea, and the beauty of jasmine flower that has been in our culture for a long time,” Chef Jessi said. You can see her in action creating this delicious treat below:
We hope you’ll get a chance to try the culinary treats created by these two incredible Disney chefs during your next visit!
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