Media Contact:
Dipika Hernandez, Visit Orlando 407-354-5571 | media@VisitOrlando.com
Unique collaboration between Visit Orlando, New Orleans & Company, Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort inspires future hospitality professionals and promotes travel between the destinations
Visit Orlando and New Orleans & Company, representing two of the nation’s top culinary destinations, teamed up with Walt Disney World Resort and Southwest Airlines to treat 23 aspiring female chefs to a trip of a lifetime. Taking inspiration from another female chef – Princess Tiana – and the next chapter of her story with the new Magic Kingdom Park attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the collaboration sought to inspire future hospitality professionals and promote travel between the destinations.
Participants from New Orleans were treated to a remarkable four-day trip in July to get a taste of success, encouraging them to continue pursuing their culinary dreams and follow Princess Tiana’s own journey as a beloved chef and restauranteur. The young women were treated to complimentary flights, accommodations and theme park tickets, plus educational opportunities with Disney chefs and professionals, including a behind-the-scenes experience at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, one of the top fine-dining Orlando restaurants with a newly awarded one-star MICHELIN rating.
“I am incredibly proud of how our organizations came together to promote new reasons to travel between Orlando and New Orleans in a meaningful way, inspiring and uplifting future hospitality professionals who could one day impact our industry,” said Casandra Matej, President & CEO of Visit Orlando. “Orlando continues to evolve each year with new offerings, from our theme parks and attractions to the growing culinary scene and event offerings, enhancing our ability to creatively market the destination and drive visitation for the benefit of our community.”
“This partnership combines the best elements of the travel industry – making powerful connections, delivering amazing experiences and creating opportunity for future generations,” said Walter J. Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination marketing and sales organization for the New Orleans tourism industry. “We are grateful to Visit Orlando, Southwest Airlines and Disney World Resort for this collaboration to elevate our culinary assets and vibrant food culture of New Orleans. We salute New Orleans’ young aspiring culinary students – this trip is recognition of their hard work and success thus far.”
“Walt Disney World is home to a world-class team, and it's such a full circle moment when our cast can share their skills and passion with the next generation of industry leaders," said Maribeth Bisienere, Senior Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney World Resort. "These future culinarians from New Orleans got to experience the best of Walt Disney World—from taking in the sights, smells and amazement of MICHELIN star restaurant Victoria & Albert’s, to enjoying the joyful story of Princess Tiana at Tiana's Bayou Adventure. I hope this trip was full of inspiration and Princess Tiana's words stay with them: never, ever lose sight of what's really important!"
“We jumped at the opportunity to provide travel for these aspiring Chefs from the bayou state to experience a trip of a lifetime at the Most Magical Place on Earth," said Brandy King, Managing Director of Communications at Southwest Airlines. “We loved cooking up a good time with them in the gate area and on their flights as we hosted this talented group who, like Princess Tiana, are ‘Almost There’ in reaching their dreams.”
The story of Walt Disney Animation’s “The Princess and The Frog” was inspired by Leah Chase, a real-life New Orleans chef and restauranteur who turned her family’s business, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, into a beloved institution that is run by Chase’s surviving family members to this day. Chase’s daughter, Stella, and granddaughter, Zoe, served as event chaperones for this experience.
“The opportunity to experience the food culture at Walt Disney World and share in hands-on learning with the Disney culinary team served as a true inspiration for these young ladies,” said Stella Chase Reese, President of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. “Seeing them learn from some of the best chefs, who shared the tools to succeed and make their dreams come true, is a beautiful tribute to my mother’s legacy.”
The group of young women aged 17 to 27 chosen for this experience all mirror Tiana’s own entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude. Participants were chosen by esteemed local non-profits in the New Orleans area, including The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), Café Reconcile New Orleans, The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation, The Edgar “Dooky” Jr. and Leah Chase Family Foundation, and The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.
About Visit Orlando
Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association® for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States, Theme Park Capital of the World ® and No. 1 meeting destination in the country. A not-for-profit trade association that brands, markets and sells the Orlando destination globally, we represent more than 1,500 member companies comprising every segment of Central Florida’s tourism community.
Visit Orlando connects consumers and business groups with all facets of Orlando’s travel community, whether for a vacation or meeting. Home to seven of the world’s top theme parks — as well as refreshing water parks, activities to connect with nature, vibrant neighborhoods, a dynamic dining scene with Michelin recognized restaurants, and a robust calendar of entertainment and sports events — Orlando is a diverse, welcoming and inclusive community for all travelers. Find more information at VisitOrlando.com or OrlandoMeeting.com.
About New Orleans & Company
New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique, and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco.
About Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is a world-class entertainment and recreation destination in Central Florida, featuring four of the most popular theme parks from around the globe, two thrilling water parks, nearly 29,000 hotel rooms, a sports complex, several golf courses and Disney Springs — a metropolis of shopping, dining and entertainment. Since 1971, Walt Disney World has focused on delivering legendary guest service and one-of-a-kind experiences that make it the number one vacation destination in the world where families create magical memories.
Disney is always looking for ways to empower and invest in future talent in the hospitality industry. For current employees, Walt Disney World offers apprenticeships with hands-on experience, certificate courses for developing technical skills and other development programs. With developmental opportunities sprinkled with a bit of distinctly Disney magic, Disney hopes to inspire the next generation of change makers within the hospitality and entertainment industries.
About Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports1 across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline2. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 74,0003 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in 2023. That formula for success has brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years4 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 20505. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.
1 Effective Aug. 5, 2024, the airline will serve 117 airports.
2 Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey since Q1 2021
3 Fulltime-equivalent active Employees
4 1973-2019 annual profitability
5 Southwest's net zero by 2050 goal includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 Category 3 emissions only and excludes any emissions associated with non-fuel products and services, such as inflight service items.
About the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI)
Since 2019, the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) has been at the forefront of culinary and hospitality learning. Our signature 100-day certificate programs in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts put aspiring and continuing professionals on the fast track to long-term success.
NOCHI educates a diverse community of learners to sustain an ever-evolving hospitality industry. We offer a platform for professional and personal growth, increase access, and minimize barriers to career pathways, and support the promotion and economic development of New Orleans’ culinary arts and hospitality industry. To learn more about the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute, visit www.nochi.org.
About Reconcile New Orleans
Reconcile New Orleans has supported more than 2,000 young people since opening in 2000. The program aims to support 120 new interns each year -- young people ages 16-24 who seek employment and educational opportunities or both. Reconcile’s free, earn-and-learn Workforce Development Program focuses on a holistic, person-centered model, addressing barriers to success, such as homelessness and untreated trauma, while teaching culinary and professional skills necessary to gain and sustain employment in hospitality or other industry pathways. To learn more, visit www.cafereconcile.org.
About The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation
The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that was founded in 1995 and is governed by a board of directors made up of restaurants, industry experts and educators in the hospitality industry. The LRA Education Foundation exists to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities.
The three main programs that the LRAEF offers are: ProStart, a high school culinary arts and restaurant management program in nearly 60 Louisiana High Schools, with nearly 2,000 juniors and seniors participating; the LRAEF Scholars, which provides scholarships to students pursuing a degree in culinary arts or hospitality, and since its inception in 2009, contributed $750,000 in scholarships; and the Restaurant Youth Registered Apprenticeship, which is an earn as you learn program.
About The Edgar “Dooky” Jr. and Leah Chase Family Foundation
The Edgar “Dooky” Jr. and Leah Chase Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established to honor and sustain the lifework and legacy of Dooky and Leah Chase. Our mission is to cultivate and support organizations that engage in activities that support education, social justice, culinary arts, and cultural arts. The legacy of Edgar and Leach Chase lives on through their family, restaurant, and the community they served, The Foundation serves as a conduit to continue their efforts and support others who embody the same passion and values.
About The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Louisiana’s arts conservatory for high school students, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), is Louisiana’s premier public arts training center for high school students, providing intensive instruction in culinary arts, creative writing, dance, media arts, music (classical, jazz, vocal), theatre arts (drama, musical theatre, entertainment production design) and visual arts, while demanding simultaneous academic excellence.
Admitted solely by arts audition, students attend NOCCA full-day or on a half-day/afterschool basis from every economic and cultural background, from every level of academic ability.
NOCCA’s approach to education is through the time-honored master-apprentice tradition. An engaged, enthusiastic energy abounds, but it is also highly focused, first by faculty and then by students as their passion deepens with their training.
NOCCA’s mission is to provide a world-class, pre-professional arts education for every young person in Louisiana with the curiosity, creativity, talent, and motivation to pursue a life in the arts as they realize the best possible versions of themselves and their futures.
###
FREE E-NEWSLETTER
