Flower13
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2000
- Messages
- 96
I had the opportunity to participate in the Lunch with Disneys Animal Programs on Tuesday December 13th. The program is new and only scheduled on Tuesdays. I understand that it is similar to the format of Lunch with an Imagineer.
I thought the whole program was wonderful.
Each guest was lead into the Wine Room at Jiko and we found our place (the menus are personalized and placed at the tables). It seemed like they tried to balance the guests seated at the table with the Disney CM who were attending the lunch. Because the lunch is new a lot of CM were taking the program so they could promote it. I was very lucky to be seated next to one of the AKL keepers who told us all about the giraffe who was just born at AKL on Thanksgiving.
Chef Annette from Jiko introduced each course and told a little about the food itself and why she selected it for the lunch. The individual courses are subject to change but heres the menu we had:
African Breads and Dips Flaxseed Naan and Whole Wheat Lavosh with Moroccan Chermoula, South African Sagh Dahl and Kalamata Olive Hummus ( Yummy especially the Chermoula)
Organic Field Greens with Carrot Buttermilk Dressing
Maize crusted and pan roasted Tilefish with vegetables of the moment and North African Harissa ( This was also great They used to make this with Monkfish. They no longer use the monkfish because they are bottom feeders and fishing for monkfish disturbs the ecosystem. I dont care for monkfish so I was very happy with the change)
Jiko Winter Sorbet ( Green Apple with winter spices)
Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato and Potato Gratin and Mushroom Ragout ( Another standout the wild mushrooms were great)
Pomegranate Macerated Fruit Salad with Homemade Yogurt (delicious, light desert)
The chefs are very accommodating in regard to dietary restrictions. The woman seated next to me had a vegetarian lunch and she was very happy with it.
Our speaker was Dr. Greg Fleming, staff veterinarian. He used a PowerPoint presentation but the majority of the program was very conversational rather than a formal presentation. Dr. Fleming was great. He was so informative and funny. In between courses, Dr. Fleming would describe the responsibilities they have at both the Lodge and DAK. He gave interesting examples of the unique challenges they face taking care of the diverse animals. (Who knew that even bats are interesting?) When the food was served Dr Fleming would alternate between tables, so you had the chance to ask questions. Dr Fleming also discussed the programs that Disney sponsored using the funds from the Disney Wildlife Conversation Fund (those button you get if you donate $1). They were so diverse and interesting. Now I can see the difference that the donations make.
Different speakers are scheduled every week of the month. They mentioned Animal Keepers, Dolphin Keepers from the Living Seas as being other some of the other speakers. I would highly recommend this program and will take it again to get other speakers perspectives.
The price was $65 and you could add a wine pairing for an additional $15 (I did and really enjoyed the wine)
I thought the whole program was wonderful.
Each guest was lead into the Wine Room at Jiko and we found our place (the menus are personalized and placed at the tables). It seemed like they tried to balance the guests seated at the table with the Disney CM who were attending the lunch. Because the lunch is new a lot of CM were taking the program so they could promote it. I was very lucky to be seated next to one of the AKL keepers who told us all about the giraffe who was just born at AKL on Thanksgiving.
Chef Annette from Jiko introduced each course and told a little about the food itself and why she selected it for the lunch. The individual courses are subject to change but heres the menu we had:
African Breads and Dips Flaxseed Naan and Whole Wheat Lavosh with Moroccan Chermoula, South African Sagh Dahl and Kalamata Olive Hummus ( Yummy especially the Chermoula)
Organic Field Greens with Carrot Buttermilk Dressing
Maize crusted and pan roasted Tilefish with vegetables of the moment and North African Harissa ( This was also great They used to make this with Monkfish. They no longer use the monkfish because they are bottom feeders and fishing for monkfish disturbs the ecosystem. I dont care for monkfish so I was very happy with the change)
Jiko Winter Sorbet ( Green Apple with winter spices)
Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato and Potato Gratin and Mushroom Ragout ( Another standout the wild mushrooms were great)
Pomegranate Macerated Fruit Salad with Homemade Yogurt (delicious, light desert)
The chefs are very accommodating in regard to dietary restrictions. The woman seated next to me had a vegetarian lunch and she was very happy with it.
Our speaker was Dr. Greg Fleming, staff veterinarian. He used a PowerPoint presentation but the majority of the program was very conversational rather than a formal presentation. Dr. Fleming was great. He was so informative and funny. In between courses, Dr. Fleming would describe the responsibilities they have at both the Lodge and DAK. He gave interesting examples of the unique challenges they face taking care of the diverse animals. (Who knew that even bats are interesting?) When the food was served Dr Fleming would alternate between tables, so you had the chance to ask questions. Dr Fleming also discussed the programs that Disney sponsored using the funds from the Disney Wildlife Conversation Fund (those button you get if you donate $1). They were so diverse and interesting. Now I can see the difference that the donations make.
Different speakers are scheduled every week of the month. They mentioned Animal Keepers, Dolphin Keepers from the Living Seas as being other some of the other speakers. I would highly recommend this program and will take it again to get other speakers perspectives.
The price was $65 and you could add a wine pairing for an additional $15 (I did and really enjoyed the wine)
