There have been many Disney personnel transitions this month, with changes happening at Disney theme parks and around The Walt Disney Company at large. As leadership comes, goes, and moves around, Disney has just confirmed another transition. This one surprises us because of the length of tenure of this culinary leader.
A longtime Disneyland Resort culinary leader who is responsible for Disneyland’s fanciest restaurants has departed the resort. Keep reading to learn about the change and the cast member’s legacy at Disneyland. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including a new perk for Magic Key holders and Disneyland menu changes.
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Culinary Director of Fanciest Restaurants Departing Disneyland
Chef Andrew Sutton, Culinary Director of Signature Dining for the Disneyland Resort, has left Disney. Mickey Visit confirmed the news with Disneyland directly. We don’t know the motivation for his departure.
In his role, Sutton’s leadership encompassed such dining locations as as 21 Royal and the ever-elusive Club 33 at Disneyland Park, Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure, Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
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Sutton has been at Disneyland since April 2000 when he was hired to be the executive chef for the launch of Napa Rose as part of the debut of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The restaurant is a direct result of his “vision for an upscale restaurant” as is noted in his official bio which is included below.
He was recruited from the Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley and previously attended The Culinary Institute of America for cooking school. He has been bestowed the prestigious Antonin Carême Medal by the San Francisco Chapter of the American Culinary Federation.
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No updates have been released on who will replace him at the locations, but we know that each has a strong culinary team in place already that is focused on that specific location. His departure comes just after the recent relaunch of the Napa Rose restaurant. See our full review of the reopened restaurant experience.
When they reopened Napa Rose he shared this quote: “Reopening Napa Rose feels deeply personal. We took the time to do this thoughtfully – honoring the story of the space while allowing the restaurant to evolve into who we are today. We’re working at the strongest level we ever have, with a menu and wine program shaped by craftsmanship, seasonality, and a broader international perspective. Our focus has always been on cooking with intention and delivering a dining experience worth of Napa Rose’s place in California’s culinary landscape.”
Sutton’s official bio on Disneyland’s Napa Rose web page reads:
“At Napa Rose’s inception, Chef Andrew collaborated with Disney experts from various fields to create his vision of an upscale restaurant. As a result of this gathering, he established the award-winning Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa—featuring renowned international wines and delectable dishes that reflect his extraordinary artistry in both regional American and European cuisine.
In addition, he created dishes inspired by the freshness of Asian cuisine and the earthiness of Latin cooking. He encouraged the chefs that followed his lead to expand their imagination and incorporate ideas for their own gourmet creations, based on menus from all over the world, into their repertoire—so that Napa Rose would be known for its ever-growing culinary masterpieces.
Chef Andrew’s journey began with formal French roots and then transformed into a passionate exploration of American regional cooking, which led him to the Culinary Institute of America.
Prior to serving as executive chef at the Ivy Award-winning Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, California—where he achieved 2 Chef of the Year awards—Chef Andrew was sous chef with Dean Fearing at the 5-star, 5-diamond Mansion on Turtle Creek in his hometown of Dallas, Texas.
He is now the Culinary Director of Signature Dining at the Disneyland Resort. He mentors a team of over 100, and his culinary leadership is evident across the acclaimed Napa Rose, the elegant Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, the legendary Club 33 and the exclusive, luxurious 21 Royal. His stewardship has resulted in critical acclaim and multiple awards for all the Disney restaurants.”
Sutton’s departure comes on the eve of a huge transition for Disney as a whole. Effective March 18, 2026:
- existing Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro will become CEO of The Walt Disney Company
- current Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum will assume D’Amaro’s role as Disney Experiences Chairman
- Jill Estorino, currently President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International, will assume Mazloum’s role as Disneyland President
You can see details on the new Disneyland President here and new CEO leadership here.
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