Chef TJ: Location and Time?

[stackyallred]

Any recent reports on where the famous (due to his amazing special diets abilities) Chef TJ is these days? Last I heard it was Trail's End for dinner. We are hoping we may get a chance to witness his magic this year if we can be lucky enough to be in his restaurant on a morning/afternoon/night he is there. TIA!

 

[minnie mum]

I heard they're hiding his restaurant locations due to so many people stalking him and expecting over the top dietary accommodations.

 

[stackyallred]

Thanks. We've seen photos and read reviews of his amazing creations. My son and I are so limited that we can only eat out at Disney World so I would love to have met him. I don't have expectations, I'm just very appreciative of someone who is willing to go over the top for those with extreme restrictions.

 

[mistysue]

I've seen reports of Trail's end dinner recently.

 

[stackyallred]

I've seen reports of Trail's end dinner recently.

Thank you!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Because virtually every.single.restaurant at Walt Disney World is extremely accommodating in regards to food restrictions, and because every Chef needs to be responsible for every single diner - not just those with allergies/restrictions - it makes the most sense to eat where you like the menus.

Google 15 top chains for food allergies. There have to be other restaurants in the country where you can eat without spending thousands of dollars.

 

[Selket]

Chef TJ is indeed amazing and we've been lucky enough to dine with him a few times but not in the last few years. We last saw him at the GF. He actually remembers us as he's known my son since he was 2. He's an amazing, talented, lovely man - I hope you are able to find him at a dinner service. If you do, I'd love to hear about it!

 

[stackyallred]

Because virtually every.single.restaurant at Walt Disney World is extremely accommodating in regards to food restrictions, and because every Chef needs to be responsible for every single diner - not just those with allergies/restrictions - it makes the most sense to eat where you like the menus.

Google 15 top chains for food allergies. There have to be other restaurants in the country where you can eat without spending thousands of dollars.

Do you or a close family member have multiple (and some rare) food allergies? Maybe you too have a special diet and there are some places you've googled and can suggest? Because surely you wouldn't assume that I've lived with this diet for years and haven't researched. In order for me to not be sick every day requires an absolute need for research. There is not a meal that goes by that I don't have to consider the safety of every food my son and I consume. I spend HOURS and HOURS researching restaurants (I'm not exaggerating). I call, email and speak to managers in person if needed to. Yes, occasionally I will find a steak house that can bring me or my son a dry, plain steak and a dry, plain baked potato and charge me the same as if it were created with all the toppings and extra sides we can't tolerate. I don't blame them for charging me but I do prefer to save my money for places that can feed us an entire meal. There are a few restaurants at Disney that thankfully can do that and understand the importance of cross contamination. Most restaurants don't. If there were other places that were as accommodating as Disney, I absolutely would be trying it out. For now and so far, I have to make and pack our own food and take it with us every where we go- except WDW- and even there I have to make and pack safe snacks. Naturally, if I have a chance to go where I can without having to cook it all myself, that's where I'd like to go.

I get the feeling that there must be some people who go to Disney and abuse the special diet accommodations and have crazy expectations of the chefs (I haven't personally seen this but maybe others here have)... I can assure you that is not me. Just like restaurants get good reviews, chefs do too in the allergy community. If I can try a new place because the chefs there are known for giving good experiences, than of course I want to try it. Does it mean I expect some over the top fanfare? No. It means I've researched, heard good things and then just hope for the best. And as you said, it does make sense to eat where you like the menu. Unfortunately, I've chosen a restaurant based on the menu and then been politely told that I should look elsewhere because they couldn't accommodate us. Now I try to research other food allergy families' reviews in hopes of finding a place that can help us eat a whole meal.

Edited to add that my above questions may sound snarky but I genuinely am asking if you have allergies/suggestions. You never can tell over typing what the tone of the post is meant to be.

 

[stackyallred]

Chef TJ is indeed amazing and we've been lucky enough to dine with him a few times but not in the last few years. We last saw him at the GF. He actually remembers us as he's known my son since he was 2. He's an amazing, talented, lovely man - I hope you are able to find him at a dinner service. If you do, I'd love to hear about it!

Thank you! Reviews like yours are why I hope we get to meet him some day. Other guests of his have spoken to his kindness and helpfulness, too. I'm glad you've had great experiences and thanks! I'll share a review if we happen to see him.

 

[Oswin]

I have multiple allergies and have always loved eating when my family takes me to WDW! Chef TJ is one of my favorites and saw him over at Trail's End/Hoop Dee Do as of late last summer. I know he's probably the most stalked chef at WDW, and because of that I know they've moved him around a few times and try to keep it quiet. I think he gets overwhelmed with some of the intense requests that guests with food allergies have had, and that some of the special things he's done for individual guests that get talked about on social media have become standard expectations for all guests with allergies that come to see him. He's a big sweetheart and I always love getting a chance to visit with him, so I hope that you get to meet him on your next trip.

I highly recommend you visiting Chef Ken at The Plaza in Magic Kingdom too! He's just as amazing as Chef TJ, and I really really hope that he's still at the Plaza come this summer because I am going back to eat there a few times on our trip! I forgot the name of our chef at Cape May Cafe breakfast, but when we went in January they were so friendly and did an awesome job of making sure I had a ton of options that were prepared with no chance of cross contamination.

 

[O-so-good Disney Mama]

Chef TJ was amazing when I was lucky enough to have found him by chance at 1900 Park a few years back. He made me the best vegan meal ever and the food just kept coming! I was hopeful to have some more of his food this year but I don't want to travel to wilderness lodge for it (that's the latest place I had heard he was).

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Chef TJ was amazing when I was lucky enough to have found him by chance at 1900 Park a few years back. He made me the best vegan meal ever and the food just kept coming! I was hopeful to have some more of his food this year but I don't want to travel to wilderness lodge for it (that's the latest place I had heard he was). View attachment 157737View attachment 157738

last report I have seen about him had him at Trails End which is at Fort Wilderness not Wilderness Lodge. but has been awhile so he may not be there anymore

 

[stackyallred]

I have multiple allergies and have always loved eating when my family takes me to WDW! Chef TJ is one of my favorites and saw him over at Trail's End/Hoop Dee Do as of late last summer. I know he's probably the most stalked chef at WDW, and because of that I know they've moved him around a few times and try to keep it quiet. I think he gets overwhelmed with some of the intense requests that guests with food allergies have had, and that some of the special things he's done for individual guests that get talked about on social media have become standard expectations for all guests with allergies that come to see him. He's a big sweetheart and I always love getting a chance to visit with him, so I hope that you get to meet him on your next trip.

I highly recommend you visiting Chef Ken at The Plaza in Magic Kingdom too! He's just as amazing as Chef TJ, and I really really hope that he's still at the Plaza come this summer because I am going back to eat there a few times on our trip! I forgot the name of our chef at Cape May Cafe breakfast, but when we went in January they were so friendly and did an awesome job of making sure I had a ton of options that were prepared with no chance of cross contamination.

Aw, thank you! I have heard good things about the Plaza too! And I've wondered about Cape May so I really appreciate the info. We do really like to try new locations each visit and reviews like yours definitely help in our choosing.

I can totally understand about that with Chef TJ. He clearly is awesome in both his creativity and kindness- and it's completely reasonable that he can't be an "on demand" chef for those with special diets. Even if we don't ever happen to dine when he is the chef, it's fun to see photos of his work. Thanks again!

last report I have seen about him had him at Trails End which is at Fort Wilderness not Wilderness Lodge. but has been awhile so he may not be there anymore

Thanks!

 

[stackyallred]

Chef TJ was amazing when I was lucky enough to have found him by chance at 1900 Park a few years back. He made me the best vegan meal ever and the food just kept coming! I was hopeful to have some more of his food this year but I don't want to travel to wilderness lodge for it (that's the latest place I had heard he was). View attachment 157737View attachment 157738

Wow! What fun for you! I'm glad you had such a great experience and photos to show it! It would be fun to meet him and experience his creativity if it ever happens that we are where he is for a meal. Thank you for sharing your photos!

 

[O-so-good Disney Mama]

last report I have seen about him had him at Trails End which is at Fort Wilderness not Wilderness Lodge. but has been awhile so he may not be there anymore

Yes, sorry. I had my "wildernesses" mixed up. I agree it was Trails End

 

[wendow]

We have multiple food allergies in our family but have yet to meet Chef TJ. Last I heard was Trail's End at Ft Wilderness. HOwever, even never having Chef TJ, we have had wonderful meals at WDW...fav chefs have been at The Wave, O'Hana's, 1900 PF and fabulous managers at Captain Cook's. I am sure there are many, many others!

 

[Dis703]

OP, I hope you get to have the experiences that you hope for. I'm always a little hesitant when reading only a few reviews because my own experience has found it varies widely from place to place and in large part I think that has to do with which chef is on duty at the time. Part of it also has to do with changing menus and vendors though.

My 3 boys have a rare and severe set of food allergies that limits their diets dramatically. Disney is also the only place we eat out because it's almost impossible to even find a restaurant willing to work with our limitations and then there is the worry of whether or not they really understand how to manage cross contamination risks. Disney has been great overall but ironically some of the restaurants mentioned above were places we had not so great experiences.

The three most consistently great restaurants for us, in coming up with more variety and/or unique ideas and just going out of their way in general, have been Crystal Palace (lunch/dinner), Biergarten, and Captain's Grille (dinner). We've had good experiences in many restaurants but like I said sometimes it's great once and the next time their efforts are bare minimum. We still appreciate any time we can feed our kids without them getting sick of course, but the chefs who go above and beyond do make it a very special experience.

I hope you have some magical dining moments on your upcoming trip whether you find Chef TJ or not.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you or a close family member have multiple (and some rare) food allergies? Maybe you too have a special diet and there are some places you've googled and can suggest? Because surely you wouldn't assume that I've lived with this diet for years and haven't researched. In order for me to not be sick every day requires an absolute need for research.

I understand all that. I'm not doubting you or the seriousness of your situation. I think it's absolutely appalling that the only place you feel you can dine out safely is Walt Disney World.

Three things:

• Chef TJ is not the only Chef at WDW who can and will provide safe meals for Guests with allergies. Far from it. The internet and guests stalking him for amazing creations are, as Minnie mum posted, major reasons why Disney moves him and doesn't publicize his location.
• There really are restaurants not at all associated with Disney which can provide multiple-allergy-safe meals. Start with that list I suggested Googling. Come to Massachusetts. We've got a he'll of a lot to do and every single restaurant has a food safety officer on staff by law.
• Finally, start working with the Texas State Legislature toward the same goal. There is NO REASON you shouldn't feel safe eating out in the restaurant up the street.

 

[O-so-good Disney Mama]

Someone just posted on Vegan Disney World on Facebook their recent dinner from Chef TJ at trails end...

 

[Mum23]

I understand all that. I'm not doubting you or the seriousness of your situation. I think it's absolutely appalling that the only place you feel you can dine out safely is Walt Disney World.

Three things:

• Chef TJ is not the only Chef at WDW who can and will provide safe meals for Guests with allergies. Far from it. The internet and guests stalking him for amazing creations are, as Minnie mum posted, major reasons why Disney moves him and doesn't publicize his location.
• There really are restaurants not at all associated with Disney which can provide multiple-allergy-safe meals. Start with that list I suggested Googling. Come to Massachusetts. We've got a he'll of a lot to do and every single restaurant has a food safety officer on staff by law.
• Finally, start working with the Texas State Legislature toward the same goal. There is NO REASON you shouldn't feel safe eating out in the restaurant up the street.

I think this is a situation of "if you don't live it you haven't a clue". Many of us never get a break from day to day cooking because of food related issues. This is not a matter of "we like X better than Y" this is "X can kill us". While I think we all live in the real world and realize that it is possible to have safe meals, sometimes we would like to have awesome meals prepared by someone who is knowledgeable about the process AND takes a lot of pride in their craft and what they can do for people who have these issues. It's like a celebrity chef kind of.

And while Mass laws are great, it doesn't actually make it any easier to eat there. There is way more prep work that people who don't live it don't understand which is great for them as I wouldn't wish it on anyone.