There’s big news this week regarding chefs at some popular signature dining restaurants throughout Walt Disney World! Chef shakeups at three spots may mean changes at some of your favorites. Read on for all of the details.

Chef Yuhi Fujinaga Takes on Role of Executive Chef at Morimoto Asia

Earlier this week, Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Patina Restaurant Group announced that Chef Yuhi Fujinaga had taken on the role of executive chef at Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia.

Chef Yuhi first met the famous Iron Chef and restaurant mogul early in his career. “I met Chef Morimoto as a young chef in Hawaii, where I grew up. We bonded quickly over our love of fresh fish, big flavors and new cooking techniques,” said Chef Yuhi.

While the two chefs would run into one another throughout the years at various functions, Chef Yuhi went on to accept positions throughout Spain and later, in New York City. In fact, Chef Yuhi comes to Morimoto Asia from a position as Executive Chef at Patina Restaurant Group’s New York City-based Sea Grill.

We look forward to seeing what Chef Yuhi brings to the table at Morimoto Asia!

Chef Brian Piasecki Leaving California Grill

Thanks to Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide, we also have big news about the chefs who helm two of Walt Disney World’s most popular Signature Restaurants.

Joseph reported on Sunday that Brian Piasecki, Chef de Cuisine at the California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, will be moving on to an executive position within Walt Disney World.

Chef Piasecki, who has headed the fine dining spot for seven years, will be moving to the role of Executive Chef WDW Resorts, Moderate, Value, and Standalone DVC properties. While he says the decision to leave California Grill was a difficult one, he looks forward to the opportunities that await him in the newly created position. “…[T]he holistic scope of the opportunity will allow me to develop and grow in new ways,” said Chef Piasecki.

But he isn’t the only chef who will be leaving the Disney Signature kitchens.

Chef Tim Keating Leaving Flying Fish Cafe

According to Joseph, Executive Chef Tim Keating of Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will also be departing his role.

Unlike Chef Piasecki, however, it doesn’t appear that Chef Keating will continue on with the Walt Disney Company. And so it appears that when Flying Fish Cafe reopens later this year after undergoing extensive renovations, they’ll have a new chef as well as a new look.

As of press time, Chef Keating had not been reached for comment, and replacements have not been named for either chef.

Wow! That’s a lot to process! But now we want to hear from you. How do you think the departure of Chefs Piasecki and Keating will impact California Grill and Flying Fish Cafe? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us!

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