The Patina Restaurant Group is hiring an Executive Pastry Chef for the brand new Space 220 restaurant at Walt Disney World.
With futuristic-style lounge seating, Space 220 at EPCOT will feel like they’re in space, gazing down on Earth from an altitude of 220 miles as they dine. The role of Executive Pastry Chef “will contribute to the launch and continued success of Space 220 Restaurant.” You can view the details of the job listing here.
Space 220 was originally supposed to open at EPCOT in winter 2019. After delays, it was scheduled to open in April, but was delayed once again due to the COVID-19 pandemic with no current opening date but is listed as “coming soon.”
The very, very long awaited Space 220 restaurant has been of much discussion this past year. When Disney first announced the arrival of a space-themed restaurant in Epcot’s Future World, April 2019 was the target open date. Now, over a year and a half later, we are still waiting for our chance to dine in space. Well, there’s new reports that March 2021 is a possible target for opening!
Scott Gustin reported in Twitter: “I’m now hearing March 2021 as a possible goal date for Space 220… but that timeline comes with the same footnote I shared back in February.” February’s tweet: “Any rumored opening date for Space 220 should be in quotes, air quotes, italics, and sarcasm font at this point. The construction delays are a legit problem — and the reports about glass issues are true.”
What glass issues you ask? Scott Gustin previously reported in the following tweet: “there were some… issues with the large glass installed inside the restaurant. Those issues have been resolved but were part of the initial delays.”
With Space 220 Restaurant already looking to hire a General Manager––a Captain, if you will––it seems more details are being finalized for the upcoming restaurant, which is set to debut adjacent to Mission: SPACE at EPCOT. Everything from cutlery to a final, updated opening month is being established for the upcoming restaurant.
In an article posted by Total Food Service, the procurement team at Patina Restaurant Group talked about the power of story with any restaurant concept, even when it comes to cutlery. Patina Restaurant Group, who owns more than 10 restaurants across Disney’s properties in the United States, including “The Edison,” and “Via Napoli,” among others, went over their choice of cutlery for their upcoming Space 220 restaurant in EPCOT.
The procurement team chose the “Tilia” pattern which they thought, would launch their new space-themed restaurant, off the ground:
“Tilia by Studio William really caught our eye due to its elongated shape. The line was extremely modern and had a space-age quality we couldn’t resist,” says Jaclyn Lerner, Art & Style Director for PRG.”
For those that are bored by details, there was a tiny bit of a hint of an opening date for the Space 220 restaurant hidden in the article. Total Food Service, when talking about the upcoming restaurant did mention a planned opening in April 2020:
“Next month, Patina Restaurant Group (PRG) is set to launch into space with the opening of Space 220 inside EPCOT Center.”
When we think Disney… we think DINING! This is exactly why we are super excited about the new details Walt Disney World has released on three restaurants opening in 2020 at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s the latest!
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
Let’s make our way over to Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion where quick service restaurant, Liberty Inn, was serving up American cuisine until it closed it’s doors early July 2019. While closures can be a bummer, the sadness melted away quickly when Disney announced Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue would be replacing the Liberty Inn location. Disney has confirmed this new fast-casual restaurant will open this winter with classic barbecue and home-style craft brews. According to DisneyParksBlog:
When you step into the pavilion, you’ll be greeted by the enticing aromas of barbecue coming from a large smoker located in the center of the outdoor bar and seating area. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will celebrate American backyard barbecue with flavors from different regions around the United States.
Space 220 Restaurant
Next up, we’ll stay in Epcot but head on over to Future World for an “out of this world” dining experience… the Space 220 Restaurant! Situated next to Mission: SPACE, Disney was hoping to have this new table-service restaurant open by the end of 2019. Space 220 is worth the wait however with a new push for “this winter”. DisneyParksBlog shares all the details about this enticing restaurant by saying:
When you enter the restaurant, you’ll step into a special space elevator that will take you 220 miles above the earth’s surface and offer incredible celestial views. You’ll feel as if you’re traveling straight up into space to dock next to the Centauri Space Station suspended just beyond the orbit of Mission: SPACE. Upon arrival, you will be guided to your seats past the grow zone, a spinning wall of produce that mimics Earth’s gravity and represents some of the fresh ingredients used by the restaurant’s culinary team.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant
In the words of Toy Story’s Jessie, “YeeHaw!” We are super excited that a new table-service restaurant is on the way in to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for 2020. According to DisneyParksBlog:
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant invites you to a rootin’, tootin’ rodeo right in Andy’s back yard! Guests will be immersed with all their favorite toy pals in the western atmosphere of Woody’s Roundup providing a fun, family-friendly dining experience that could only be had in Toy Story Land. A new artist concept image released today emphasizes the theme of the new dining locale constructed from Andy’s favorite larger-than-life playsets and games.
Three restaurants we can’t wait to check out for ourselves!
With just weeks before the restaurant’s expected opening, the planned Executive Chef has stepped down, and based on recent Patina Restaurant Group job listings, it appears the space crew is scrambling for a captain.
Here’s a look at the current job listing, given the recent vacancy:
Mission Control invites you to join the crew at Space 220 for an expedition like no other. The planets have aligned for you to be a part of the latest cutting-edge and out-of-this-world restaurant. Help ensure a smooth departure as guests blast off to enter the International Space Station suspended 220 miles above the Earth’s surface and assist in delivering an unmatched intergalactic dining experience. With stellar views and gourmet menu offerings, Space 220 is truly “The Height of Dining.”
We are looking for a talented Executive Chef who can reinterpret classics and dazzle guests with unexpected touches, while keeping in line with the Patina standards of scratch cooking and unparalleled execution.
Former Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante and Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger, who was set to become head chef for the Space restaurant, has returned to Wynn Las Vegas to reprise his position as Executive Chef of Sinatra, the resort’s Forbes Four Star restaurant.
Patina Restaurant Group will still operate the new restaurant, and they’ve developed a menu that features internationally-inspired cuisine, more than 1,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines, and a wide selection of craft beer to be housed in their very own “Space Cellar”. Much like the International Space Station (ISS), the restaurant will also be manned by an international crew.
