Cooking with Soul at Disney: Sommelier Debbi Sacleux
Originally published at Disney Parks News
Cooking with Soul is a celebration of the soulful history of ingredients, flavors, recipes, and how Walt Disney World cast members find inspiration in creating foods and pairings that nourish the soul.
As we Celebrate HER Story at Walt Disney World Resort, Debbi Sacleux, proprietor of Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park and locally renowned sommelier, agreed to share her take on the wines that pair with some of these fabulous dishes. Debbi began her near 30-year career with Disney in Paris as a guest service manager. During her years in France, she developed an affinity for old-world red wines and decided to get her sommelier certification. Her experience inspired a love and appreciation for different varietals and how they enhance the dining experience.
Considering the delicious Cajun and spicy foods available during the Mardi Gras season. I was curious about what Debbi would pair with these soulful dishes.
“Depending on the elements of the dish, I may go with a white wine like a slightly sweet riesling or a pinot grigio. If I feel like enjoying red wine with the dish, I am going with my “go-to” new world pinot noir. For me, a pinot noir pairs with so many dishes without overpowering the flavors of the food.”
When asked about the wines that truly speak to her soul, Debbi said that it’s all about the bubbles. “Champagne speaks to my soul because life is a celebration! Champagne makes any moment special for me. Whether I’m enjoying a moment with friends and family or pairing it with food.”
Debbi is excited to see more diversity among suppliers. As well as female winemakers rising both in the industry and to the top of Disney wine lists. She’s proud that the menus at Cinderella’s Royal Table were the first to feature wines from the McBride Sisters Wine Company, a Black- and women-owned business. While she’s been instrumental in sourcing wines from diverse suppliers, she’s quick to credit her Disney peers and partners for helping to get these wines to the table. “It makes me proud that our company is all about embracing and supporting minority-owned businesses.”
Above all, Debbi appreciates the opportunity to share her love for wines with her cast members and guests. She enjoys the challenge of pairing the perfect wine to our chefs’ creative dishes. And helping guests discover varietals that they may not have otherwise tried.
You can read more about Debbi and the soulful sips she recommends pairing with a variety of Cajun dishes on our Cooking with Soul site.
