Some menus are born out of a craving, some out of curiosity, but this one? This one came straight from pure magic. It began as a gift from my husband for my 40th birthday: ten glorious days at Walt Disney World. Thanks to a pandemic-shaped delay, we finally made it happen just in time for my 42nd, and if anything, the wait made it all the sweeter.
The parks were everything we’d dreamed of and more. We partied with Mickey at the Magic Kingdom, braved the wilds at Animal Kingdom, soared through space at Hollywood Studios, and toured the globe at Epcot. We even splashed around Typhoon Lagoon for a change of pace, though I’m pretty sure I left with water in my ears for a week afterwards. Every park was its own world, and we threw ourselves into all of them.
Finding vegan food in the parks wasn’t always easy, but the wins were worth the hunt. We dined with the Beast in his enchanted castle, had pizza with Pinocchio, and enjoyed breakfast with Donald (and a few feathered friends). Every meal came with a side of Disney sparkle, even if it sometimes meant making creative choices to keep things plant-based.
The highlight? Without a doubt, our private boat ride to watch the fireworks at Epcot. Just us, the water, and the night sky exploding in colour above the lagoon. It felt like something out of a film, the perfect mix of romance and pure Disney spectacle. And then there was the showstopper meal at Victoria & Albert’s, easily the most expensive meal we’ve ever had (don’t ask). Elegant, extravagant, and worth every single bite.
Of course, once we were home, the question became: how on earth do we recreate that feeling? Could we design a Disney-inspired menu that captured the magic, adventure, and nostalgia of those ten days? We knew it had to be more than just themed food. It had to tell a story, our story, from park to park, film to film.
The result was a multi-course feast that travelled through the Disney universe one bite at a time. We opened with the Once Upon a Thyme Cocktail, a sparkling pear and thyme gin fizz inspired by Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted forest. From there, canapés took us to Belle’s French countryside with mini ratatouille tartlets and on a vibrant detour through Latin America with Three Caballeros tostada cups.
The courses flowed like chapters in a fairytale. A seaweed and glass noodle salad shimmered like Ariel’s tail in The Little Mermaid. Spaghetti with vegan meatballs recreated Lady and the Tramp’s famous alleyway romance. A creamy sweetcorn and coconut chowder echoed the sunny optimism of Finding Nemo.
For the main course, we journeyed to the world of Coco with Ancho-Rubbed Celeriac “Steak” accompanied by Mole-Reduction Jus, Smoked Corn Purée & Pickled Shallots, a dish rich in heritage, memory, and heart. Dessert was pure Cinderella magic: a spiced pumpkin tart topped with coconut whip and candied pecans, followed by “Poison Apple” chocolate truffles worthy of Snow White herself.
By the time the end of the meal rolled around, we weren’t just enjoying good food, we were reliving ten days of joy, adventure, and pure Disney wonder. The table was covered in empty plates, the air was full of laughter, and somewhere in the background, “When You Wish Upon a Star” was playing softly.
This feast became one of my favourite menus we’ve ever created, not just because of the flavours, but because every course was tied to a moment, a ride, a memory from that incredible trip. And now, through the Grub Club, I get to share it with you. All you need to add is the fireworks.
