New Cat Cora Restaurant (replacing Spoodles)

[WriteDisney]

Lou Mongello, host of the WDW Radio Show, says that Cat Cora is going to be doing a new restaurant in WDW, and that it will replace Spoodles and be called Kouzzina.

On twitter:

http://twitter.com/loumongello

And on his website at the bottom (same thing as twitter):

http://www.wdwradio.com/

 

[WriteDisney]

From PR Newswire:

Celebrity Chef Cat Cora to Open New Walt Disney World Restaurant

By: PR Newswire
Mar. 17, 2009 10:00 AM





LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Chef Cat Cora and Disney are joining together to open an exciting new family dining restaurant at Disney's BoardWalk Resort. Kouzzina by Cat Cora will feature a menu of Mediterranean-style cuisine that pays tribute to the chef's Greek roots.


The restaurant, to be owned and operated by Disney, is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles.


"I am pleased to welcome Cat Cora and her engaging new concept for Kouzzina to the Walt Disney World Resort," said Jay Rasulo, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "This collaboration between Cat and Disney represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to offer unique culinary experiences and choices for our guests."


As a Mississippi native born to a family of Greek restaurateurs, Cora grew up immersed in two different and flavorful cultures, and has taken from that unique background the kitchen "know-how" handed down through generations. The cuisine at Kouzzina (Greek for "kitchen" and pronounced "koo-zee-nah") will showcase Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora's philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals.


Cora said that the new restaurant will feature "time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves."


She began working with Disney in 2008 by creating a Disney Video on Demand series to showcase ways to help families develop more healthy eating habits. "I'm extremely excited about this latest extension of my relationship with Disney," she said. "Together, we're going to develop a truly amazing contemporary Mediterranean restaurant."


The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's hit show "Iron Chef America," Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also is Executive Chef for Bon Appetit magazine. In addition to hosting the instructional cooking demonstrations for Disney Video on Demand, Cora has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney's California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.



SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Well, that's pretty cool! Cat's a local girl, and has certainly been a bright spot on the American culinary scene.

We liked Spoodles OK, but this will be a welcome addition to the Epcot resort area.

Kudos to Disney!

 

[LouDisney]

I love Spoodles. I hate to see it go.
However, I can't wait to try this new place.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

WOW!!! This is great news. I love watching her on Iron Chef America. I'll be anxious to try it out.

 

[Grateful Mickey]

Um, 2 please. Non-smoking. When? November, '09!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

PLEASEEEEE someone tell me it'll be open before Sept 26th... Or at least THAT week! haha

We're Greek and always love trying new Greek restaurants. I've been loving Cat Cora since I first saw her on the Food Network challenges a few years back and have always wanted to try everything she's ever made. This would be a perfect addition to our trip.

 

[Brer Shay]

We'll miss Spoodles (a favorite for us), but this will be a good change I think. Wonder when it will be opening.

 

[WriteDisney]

I heard a rumor on another board that Spoodles was closing September 30.. can't verify that though...

 

[marcyinPA]

That's exciting news! We'll have to plan yet another trip to try it out! I'm not sad to see Spoodle's go. We ate there once, and the food and service were terrible!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I imagine that will be the end of breakfast at that restaurant location??? The new place dosen't sound like a breakfast spot to me---

 

[luckytobeme88]

Great news! I will give her a visit in the future

 

[smep013]

Looking forward to it! (Imagine how tough it's going to be to get an ADR - maybe it'll free some spots up elsewhere!)

 

[xipetotec]

I think we know where our first meal will be when we arrive at BCV in march 2010!

 

[eventamy]

NOOO! Spoodles is our favorite restaurant! That so stinks! I at least hope Tim (best waiter ever!) gets to stay on so we can see him again next year.

 

[ugadog99]

We love Spoodles, but we'll be looking forward to trying this. Any word on when Spoodles will close?

 

[TheAngelForever]

Well, this may explain a lot of the times disappearing as Spoodles was scheduled to have some rehab. All Ears has a new article about the announcement that Disney has paired up with Cat Cora to open a new Mediterranean restaurant where Spoodles was. The article can be found here.

I am going to miss Spoodles. Hopefully on our next trip we will be able to try Cat Cora's restaurant since it will not be opening until Fall.

 

[CDizney]

Hi all! Does anyone know when Spoodles is closing and when will the take-over restaurant called Kouzzina open up in its place?

 

[JMD]

I imagine that will be the end of breakfast at that restaurant location??? The new place dosen't sound like a breakfast spot to me---

That's too bad, Spoodles was a great breakfast spot.


I'm sad to see Spoodles go, but I like Cat Cora so I look forward to trying out the new restaurant. Not to mention she is very easy on the eyes....

 

[PrincessMickey]

I guess that also means the end of the Spoodles window. Dh and I always like getting a slice of pizza and a glass of sangaria to people watch in the evenings. But it will bring back memories, DH and I met in Greece and did alot of traveling togeher while we were serving at the Navy base there.