Disney Culinary Leadership Program, 2024 - 2025

Job Summary:

"We make magic." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help encourage that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and build the never-before-seen!

About the Role and Program

As a Disney Culinary Leadership Program participant at the Walt Disney World Resort, you will become part of the magic that is known worldwide, gain on-the-job experience working in our parks and resorts, and participate in outstanding learning experiences. You will have the opportunity to live in our housing community, Flamingo Crossings Village, where you will meet people from all over the world. You will embark on a new journey with our CULINARY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM as you build lasting impressions and unforgettable dining experiences for our guests. Master your craft as you work side-by-side with culinary leaders and cast members in areas that range from catering, fine dining, pastry, and even quick-service.

The Disney Culinary Leadership Program is a robust 12-month learning and development opportunity for college seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates to work in a leadership role. Participants will learn from top leaders in the hospitality industry, gain hands-on experience, and participate in Disney leadership classes.

What You Will Do

Culinary leadership participants are Sous Chefs who lead a professional culinary team in a restaurant kitchen, catering/banquets facility or in a pastry and baking production facility.

• May be responsible for batch cooking, a la carte or set menus, recipe development, volume and timing and mobile delivery of foods.

• Interact with Guests and complete dietary and allergy needs for Guests.

• Supervise cooking techniques while leading day-to-day kitchen operations.

• Expedite kitchen flow and lead the preparation of food inventory pars to ensure operational compliance of food and safety standards by adhering to the applicable state and local government health regulations.

• Supervise product quality by tasting food, observing dining rooms, events, and functions and by regularly speaking with Guests and employees.

• Special assignments, projects or offer support in different areas within a segment to enhance your exposure and the location goals and areas where extra or dedicated support is needed.

• A self-starter who enjoys making day-to-day operational decisions in line with Guest, employees, and financial expectations.

• Able to nurture, build and maintain relationships to best communicate and collaborate with Guests, front-line employees, partners, vendors, leaders, and peers in other lines of business as a point-of-contact for day-to-day operations.

• Empowered to encourage, recognize, monitor performance, coach, and develop front-line employees from different cultures, backgrounds, and styles.

• Minimum one- year leadership experience.

• Minimum one-year culinary experience

• Understands the financial aspects of an operation.

• Demonstrated ability to build both classical and innovative (trends) food presentations.

• Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills.

• Demonstrated strong written and organizational skills with attention to detail.

• Proven ability to function effectively in a team environment.

• Mature understanding, flexibility, and willingness to reprogram previous findings and styles.

• Proven computer proficiency within a Windows environment.

Required Qualifications

Currently earning a college/university degree in Culinary or graduated within the past 12 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-year entry-level culinary leadership experience

• Proven ability as a team leader within the kitchen (i.e., lead cook, shift supervisor)

• Prior or current experience with The Walt Disney Company.

• Demonstrated multilingual skills, particularly Creole, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese

• Knowledgeable about catering specific dietary requests for individualized guests.

• Demonstrated strong presentation skills.

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information

• Must be enrolled in a college/university taking at least one class in the semester/quarter (spring/fall) prior to participation in the internship program OR must have graduated from a college/university within the past twelve (12) months OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must possess unrestricted work authorization.

• Must provide full work availability.

• Must be aligned with The Disney Look appearance guidelines.

This is a 12- month program. The approximate dates of this program are June 2024 through June 2025. Participants must be fully available for the duration of the program.

Housing: This program is based in Orlando, Florida. We provide limited housing opportunities through American Campus Communities, for more information about Flamingo Crossings Village click here.

Transportation: Must provide own transportation to/from work.