Walt Disney World Culinary Director Scott Hunnel Announces Retirement

A major chapter in Walt Disney World’s fine dining history is coming to a close. Scott Hunnel, the James Beard Award-nominated chef who spent more than 25 years helming the kitchen at Victoria & Albert’s, has announced his retirement from his role as Culinary Director at Walt Disney World Resort.

Who Is Scott Hunnel?

For Disney dining enthusiasts, Scott Hunnel’s name is synonymous with excellence. He’s the chef who guided Victoria & Albert’s to become one of the most decorated restaurants in the entire country — earning a MICHELIN star and a reputation that stretches far beyond the theme park world. His James Beard Award nomination placed him among the most recognized culinary figures in Florida, and his decades of work at the Grand Floridian’s flagship restaurant elevated what guests expect from a Disney dining experience.

Beyond Victoria & Albert’s, Hunnel took on a broader role as Walt Disney World Culinary Director, where he oversaw dining operations and provided mentorship and direction to culinary teams across multiple resort hotels throughout the property. His fingerprints are on Disney’s fine dining culture at a resort-wide level.

A Legacy Built on Mentorship

Perhaps Hunnel’s most lasting contribution isn’t a dish or even a MICHELIN star — it’s the people he developed. Two of his most notable protégés are stepping into major roles as part of his succession:

• Matthew Sowers, who spent more than 20 years at Victoria & Albert’s under Hunnel’s leadership, was recently promoted to executive chef of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. In this expanded role, Sowers oversees culinary operations across all 13 food and beverage locations at the resort.
• Miguel Santeliz, another product of Hunnel’s mentorship culture, has been named chef de cuisine at Victoria & Albert’s as part of the same leadership transition.

The fact that both successors came up through the ranks at Victoria & Albert’s under Hunnel speaks to how deliberately he built the program over the decades. This isn’t a scramble to fill a void — it’s a well-cultivated pipeline taking root.

What’s Next for Victoria & Albert’s?

No replacement for Hunnel’s Culinary Director position has been announced. His departure closes a significant chapter for Victoria & Albert’s and for Walt Disney World dining more broadly. The question now is how the restaurant and resort maintain their extraordinary standards without the person who built them.

Given that Santeliz and Sowers are already in place and were mentored directly by Hunnel, the transition appears to be intentional and measured rather than abrupt. Victoria & Albert’s still holds its MICHELIN star, and there’s no indication that will change under the new leadership.

A Thank You to a Disney Dining Legend

For those of us who care deeply about the dining side of the Disney World experience, Scott Hunnel’s retirement is a genuine milestone. He proved that a theme park resort could be home to world-class fine dining — not just good food, but genuinely exceptional culinary artistry. That’s not a small thing. Congratulations on a remarkable career, Chef.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!