I got V & A Chef's Table!!!

[mouseketeerwannabe]

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Just wanted to share my excitement about getting Victoria & Albert's Chef Table this morning. I tried for three days and this morning was the last chance since it would be for our last night there in December. I said my prayers and then chanted "I think I can. I think I can," and started dialing at 5:58 central time. I finally got the message that they were open, but was immediately discouraged when I was on hold for at least 2 minutes! I was so relieved to find it was still available! The CM said that this is getting as hard to book as Cindy's. This will be a first for my husband and me. We've never even set foot in V & A. My dear husband indulges my WDW addiction very graciously. This time he said we could go for Christmas, but his only request was that we eat at V & A. Well, thanks to all you wonderful people on these boards, I knew that if I wanted to make it extra special I should try for the Chef's table. (We chose not to include my mom and daughter for this dinner because neither one enjoy "fancy" food. So to those who are already veterns of this great dining experience, will it live up to my excitement?

 

[Aurora63]

Congratulations!

Question: Is the chef's table the same as the private room?

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

I've never been before, but from these boards I know the Chef's table is in the kitchen and you get to interact with the Chef. I think I did read about a privite room though.

 

[Harambe]

Way to go! Wishing you five extra pounds after your dinner!

 

[SamSam]

Congratulations...and Please post a complete report on your dining experience.
We have eaten at V&A once and would like to do the 'kitchen' experience sometime, so I would love to hear about your experience.

 

[Minniespal]

Well done - You and your DH will have a wonderful time!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Glad to hear you are excited.
The "private room" is actualy part of he main restaurant. It's used for "private " bookings, extra-large parties, or occasionally as overflow if all the tables in the primary area are booked.
We ate at the Chef's table before (in fact, that's us right there in our picture) and enjoyed it. I'm sure you will too!!!

 

[LKS]

Go hungry and try with all your might to avoid the delicious rolls. You have no room for them! Pace yourself. The early courses are so good, you'll wish they were bigger, but by the time they bring out 3 desserts to the 2 of you, you will be wishing each had been smaller. Also, do the wine pairings. I you are not a big drinker, as I am not, they will let you share one wine pairing. We each got the wines to go with our food, but half a glass with each course instead of a whole. It was perfect for us and we were still able to stumble back out to the monorail and on to the Contemporary.

 

[nasmith]

Congrats!!! What day are you going, we'll be there on the 23rd. The Chef's table is in an alcove behind the kitchen- it was newly remodeled last year, and is quite nice- there is actually a little 3' fence to keep the kitchen separate from the alcove. The Chef ( Chef Hummel if you are going on a Weds- Sat, His assistant head chef if you are going on a Sun/Mon) will come out shortly after you are seated for a champagne toast while he asks you what kind of food you like/dislike (The champagne toast is included regardless of whether you order the wine pairing) (let him know if you like caviar, hate caviar, allergies etc.). I second ordering at least one wine pairing, because the wines they serve are fantastic and go so well with the food (be warned, that if you "split" a wine pairing, then one of you is going to have a wine that hasn't been matched to the food - which is half the enjoyment of good wine - unless you both have the same food which is unlikely unless you both request the same thing)(Note, I'm not normally a wine fan, but their's are great). He will then design your meals for you- chances are that you and your husband will get different stuff, so that you can both taste each other's offerings. The Chef (or one of the sous chefs who actually prepared the food) will come out and introduce each course to you, explaining what each is. Plan on spending at least 3 hours there, and don't wear slippery shoes, because you have to walk thru the kitchen (think slightly slippery tile floors) to get to the bathroom (had a little problem with that my first time there, what with the wine pairing and all). Have coffee after, because they brew it tableside in a fantastic Cona coffee maker (something you don't see everyday)Bring your camera, and the chef's will pose for a picture with you. Enjoy!! Jill

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

Thanks for sharing the excitement with me. I appreciate all the tips.

LKS: Thanks for the idea about sharing the wine pairing. Neither my DH or I are big drinkers, so he actually suggested that we ask if that is possible. However I didn't think about it not being specifically matched to one person's courses as nasmith said. I think we'll go ahead and both get the wine. We'll just drink what we want even if it's just a taste.

nasmith: Thanks for the reminder that one person's wine would not be matched to their dinner if we shared. Didn't think of that. We will be there on Sunday, December 28. I tried for Friday and Saturday night but no luck. Those nights had been blocked by someone before the phone lines even opened. I assumed some days are probably blocked to leave it open for VIPs. I hope the assistant Chef is as wonderful as the head chef. Enjoy your dinner on the 23rd. How many tries did it take you to get your date?

 

[LKS]

No, our wines were matched. We definitely did not have the same wines. Nasmith, do you speak from experience? Has is changed since last June?

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

LKM: Sorry, I didn't read what you said about sharing the wine pairing more carefully. You DID state that they matched your meal, but you got 1/2 a glass with each course. That would be perfect!! I guess I'll just check what the policy is when we get there. Thanks for the warning about trying to abstain from eating the delicious rolls. I do get full easily, so I'll pace myself.

Again, thanks to everyone for the detailed explanations about what to expect.

 

[nasmith]

LKS: Nope, I was just assuming (okay, okay I know the rule about that ). We've always just had the wine pairing each. It's great that they split it for you!

Mouseketeerwannabee: Of the 4 times I've been to the Chef's table- we've had the Assistant head chef twice - and I think last year's dinner with Chef Amy was the best we have had yet! It was truly superb. I don't know if Chef Amy is still the Assistant Chef, but I'm sure that anyone working there is Top Notch! I had to call 4 days to get our table - It is Christmas Week, so a very busy time at the parks- plus They do have Weds. and Friday nights blocked for VIPS - those nights can only be reserved by The Chef himself. Congrats again!! Only 6 more months until we're at Disney!!!!

 

[mouseketeerwannabe]

nasmith: Your information is extremely helpful. Congrats to you, too for getting it after trying for four days! It makes sense that the Chef keeps two days open. Somehow Saturday the 27th had also been blocked ahead of time. It wasn't in the system when I called and the CM was surprised since they had JUST opened, so she checked. It hadn't been booked, but it wasn't available. She took my name & number and checked into it. When she called back 15 minutes later she said it was now in the system, but had been blocked and then booked by someone else with access. I wondered if concierge could do that (didn't contact WL concierge soon enough to try for me) but with Christmas week I assume it was saved for someone important or famous. You know if Oprah or Katie Couric wanted that table they would make sure they got it. That's one of their perks! I really didn't care what evening we went as long as I got it. With Wed., Thurs.(Christmas day), Friday, and that Saturday blocked I feel fortunate indeed.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Congratulations! You'll have to let us know how it goes