Chef Eddie at Coral Reef

[BuzzPrincessMom]

I just came back from a short visit to WDW with my parents and sister...very different going with just adults. We took it slow and had some wonderful meals.

Sis has food allergies, and not the ones people hear about alot (milk, oregano, parsley, black pepper, mushrooms etc.) We were impressed for the most part with how the restaurants (counter and table) worked with her.

But Chef Eddie at the Coral Reef surpassed everyone! If anyone here knows Eddie please give him a big hug from me. He came out and chatted with Kel and then created for her an incredible meal. She told him what she wished she could have on the menu - but her allergies wouldn't allow (lobster rav) and then he create a new dish for her - it looked incredible and she loved it. I was so impressed that Chef Eddie himself brought the meal to the table. Kel wrote a thank you note and had Linda our server bring it to him, before we could leave the table Chef Eddie was back out to thank Kel for the note - so pleased she loved her meal.

Kel loved it so much she wanted to try to get into Coral Reef one more time before her vacation was over.

Kel would like to write a letter to WDW commending Chef Eddie for his service and kindness. It really made her trip. Does anyone have the address we should write to?

Chef Eddie if you read this (or friend does) I can not thank you enough for how you treated my sister - some chefs give the impression of being anoyed with special requests - you did it all with a twinkle in your eye and made us feel like we were eating in your house. You love what you do and it shows.

 

[ppiew]

wow! Nice accolades! Great to see people recognize good service and not just complain about bad. I am sure the Chef is truly pleased your sister took the time and effort to say 'thank you.' You can send an email to this URL: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/contact/. They do read them and do respond!!

 

[kkandaj]

We had similar experience for DS at Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Faire, Crystal Palace and Plaza Restaurant. The chef's always came out to the table to speak to us about DS's life threatening food allergies...and went above and beyond for him! I literally cried when he got his first meal in a restaurant...he was 18 months old and he was at Chef Mickey's. People have no idea how hard it is to eat out with food allergies. (He eats no food from restaurants at home, except for McD's apple slices that are pre-packaged. That's his favorite treat.)

I was trying to make decisions for ADR's in May and your review just put Coral Reef at the top!

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Thank you for the link to send a comment. We will definately write - I hope the comments will be forwarded to the appropriate people so that he get the recognition he deserves.

Kel and Chef Eddie are close in age. And you could tell he understood her love of good food and disappointment with these new allergies that put limitations on her dining choices. He obviously knew some about allergies because he asked questions and actually came back to the table to check on a few vegetables and herbs he wanted to add to her meal.

 

[cbg1027]

Chef Eddie used to work at Citricos. He was just as great there too...my grandmother had some dietary restrictions and what you described was what happened during our meal. He was so sweet and accommodating. An exemplary CM!

 

[BuzzPrincessMom]

Sis and I wondered if the chefs moved around - sort of like a training program or if they just stayed at one restaurant until they got promoted to another

 

[clanmcculloch]

The chefs definitely do move around. When we were at Coral Reef last month we were taken care of by Chef Kim who had previously (around a 1.5 years earlier) taken care of us at 'Ohana. Around a year ago we were taken care of at Kona by the same chef who had taken care of us many times at Pop Century. In February we were taken care of at LTT by the same chef who had prepared fried chicken for us at 50s PTC. It amazes me that not only do I recognize the chefs, but they also seem to recognize us. I guess we're memorable? I wonder if that says good things about us? LOL

The famed Chef TJ has moved from Boma (I think) to 'Ohana and now to the Grand Floridian. Maybe one of these years we'll get to meet him.