California Grill chef leaving

[jdvm]

For you foodies: My family and I had an absolutely spectacular meal at California Grill Saturday night and one of the managers mentioned to me that the chef, John, would be leaving soon and would b e replaced by Jens, the chef at Flying Fish. Don't know what will happen at Flying Fish
John

 

[miranda1979]

we love both resturants i will be sad for them to leave either one of them.

 

[wdw4us]

that's funny, because John was origiinally from the Flying Fish. Do we know where he might be headed?????

denise

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Hubby and I have an ADR for California Grill for the 28th of this month. I'll be able to give a review on the new chef for CG. I hope they won't be changing the menu and that we'll have a great meal!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Chef Jens takes over at California Grill next week. He's a fabulous chef and a great person, the CG will be in exceptional hands.

No word on who's taking the reigns at FF or where Chef John is off to. My fear is that he's flying the Disney coup due to the recent constraints put on Chef's due to DDP.

 

[gatour]

The Orlando Sentinel food critic had a blurb about John leaving, I can't remember exactly where but I believe it was "home" so yes he is leaving Disney employ.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

That's a real blow to WDW, IMO.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have a reservation on September 1...looking forward to a new chef experience.

Ironically, I'm going to be on the dining plan.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I love Chef State! I can't imagine CG without him. If anyone knows where he's going please post! He's worth following to his next gig. I'm so sad, the last time I ate there I was really sick and I didn't get to taste the food. He's a spectacular chef and has a passion for chefing that is not often matched. DH will be devastated.

 

[Alaska DogCat]

I had to find out where Chef State was going. Here's what I found in the Orlando Sentienl:

John State, executive chef at Disney's California Grill, is leaving California and Florida for Michigan. State tells the Hound that he has been hired to open a J.W. Marriott hotel in Grand Rapids. State is returning to his home state, and although he hasn't lived there for 19 years, he says he remembers how cold the winter can be. The difference now is that he can afford warmer clothes. Before taking the helm at Californa Grill, State was the opening chef at Flying Fish Cafe. His last day at Disney will be Aug. 24.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

WDW loss is our gain. We only live about 45 minutes away from Grand Rapids, so we will be able to go and dine where John is chef .

 

[Suzanne74]

We are going tonight so it looks like he will still be there. What should I order, it is our first time????

 

[jdvm]

The BLT flatbread currently on the menu is to die for and the heirloom tomatos are great. As an entree ialways get the steak....you
John

 

[notnothin]

Chef Jens takes over at California Grill next week. He's a fabulous chef and a great person, the CG will be in exceptional hands.

No word on who's taking the reigns at FF or where Chef John is off to. My fear is that he's flying the Disney coup due to the recent constraints put on Chef's due to DDP.

Is the 'constraints' portion of your statement something that you can elaborate on? I haven't heard that issue mentioned before now.

 

[Amyrlin]

I wonder what menu changes we will see

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

notnothin, the chef's used to have more freedom in the selection and preperation of their menu's. Over the last couple of years this has changed. They have been "told" rather than requested by management what their style of food should look like and limitations have been put on their selection process as well.

Amyrlin, based on what I've said above I'd be willing to bet dimes to dollars that you won't notice any of Chef Jen's innovations for probably a year (unless you're a real frequent diner) and even then the changes will be subtle because the menu and even item preperation has (in my words) a definate programmed uniformity to it at all Signature restaurants.

It took the a long time for Chef John to be accepted by many (not me) as "the" CG chef and I'm sure Chef Jens will face the same uphill battle, though I'm absolutely sure he will succeed and eventually add enough of his own touches to make the CG his.

My bigger concern is who will replace Chef Jens at FF. When Chef John left the Fish floundered (pardon the pun) for years with many ups and downs before Chef Jens finally put it back on track (my opinion of course).

 

[notnothin]

notnothin, the chef's used to have more freedom in the selection and preperation of their menu's. Over the last couple of years this has changed. They have been "told" rather than requested by management what their style of food should look like and limitations have been put on their selection process as well.

I see .... It's unforunate that they've stifled their creativity. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[jdvm]

Wow, Peter. Thanks for the detailed post. Us foodies are lucky to have someone with your inside knowledge on the boards.
John

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Thanks John, I just calls 'em as I see's 'em ... Plus I do have some good friends...

By the by, do you actually live in Celebration now? We have a house there and spend as much time as possible at it.

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for the info. Flying Fish is one of my favorite restaurants at WDW.

I know a former chef at CG started Seasons 52, one of my favorite restaurants too. Does anyone know how long ago he left CG?