If anyone is looking for a culinary career at a theme park, KD appears to be hiring:
Kings Dominion Seeking New Executive Chef (Plus Other Culinary Leadership)
- Thread starter Nicole
- Start date
I assume that refers to catering within the park like for private events within the park. I don't think they offer external catering services at other locations though I could be wrong.
Fuck. Denis Callinan is out already?! He literally just ushered in one of the greatest eras in culinary in any park anywhere.
He was, pretty objectively, probably too good for Kings Dominion. I guess in some ways this was bound to happen eventually–it's just so soon.
He was, pretty objectively, probably too good for Kings Dominion. I guess in some ways this was bound to happen eventually–it's just so soon.
Catering is indeed for group sales events and the like.
Sad news if it’s true that Chef Denis has left the park. He completely transformed the park’s culinary scene. And from what I know about the park’s F&B operations, he brought a lot of energy and revolutionized the department’s culture.
Honestly, I figured for a while now that it might be a matter of time before Chef moves on. I hate to say it, but he was too good to be at a regional theme park. Hopefully if he is leaving, he’s moving on to bigger and better things.
Sad news if it’s true that Chef Denis has left the park. He completely transformed the park’s culinary scene. And from what I know about the park’s F&B operations, he brought a lot of energy and revolutionized the department’s culture.
Honestly, I figured for a while now that it might be a matter of time before Chef moves on. I hate to say it, but he was too good to be at a regional theme park. Hopefully if he is leaving, he’s moving on to bigger and better things.
Chicken tenders now at all dining locations
I too have been wondering when Chef Denis might (unfortunately) move on, as in likely being promoted within Cedar Fair.
Last year with the success of his new menu options at Jukebox, wound up seeing the same menu pushed to several other Cedar Fair parks. This year we just learned of G&G coming to KI. And just last month I saw him give a presentation to what appeared to be members of the Cedar Fair executive team.
So again, if it's true that he's leaving, I'm hoping/assuming it's a promotion... where in some ways he should still be able to slightly influence the culinary options at KD, and at a higher-level, improve food across the entire chain.
Last year with the success of his new menu options at Jukebox, wound up seeing the same menu pushed to several other Cedar Fair parks. This year we just learned of G&G coming to KI. And just last month I saw him give a presentation to what appeared to be members of the Cedar Fair executive team.
So again, if it's true that he's leaving, I'm hoping/assuming it's a promotion... where in some ways he should still be able to slightly influence the culinary options at KD, and at a higher-level, improve food across the entire chain.
CP Food Blog has apparently confirmed with Cedar Fair that Denis is no longer with them.
Kings Dominion Looking for New Executive Chef - CP Food Blog
Kings Dominion Looking for New Executive Chef - CP Food Blog
Chef Paul had to deal with the English GM back then. After that GM "abruptly left". Paul probably had enough of KD management and left before Tony came on board as GM and got settled in. Since G & G opened in 2021, Chef Denis appeared to have total control over new concept restaurant's and menus within the park.
To be honest, with the caliper of Chef Dennis's skill sets, I had a feeling he was not going to be long term KD employee (5+ years). Heck, he might have gone back to Disney or hired on at the Universal parks. Maybe Seas or some major resort?
I think KD is going to be very careful in vetting for a new executive chef. Cause, if they take the park's food service backwards, KD is going to pay hell by the park patrons.
One of the good things I’ve noticed is he’s built a bench of quality sous chefs, so food quality should remain. So long as leadership isn’t trying to go cheap, and having other roles open seems like a positive trend directionally for the company.
Chef Paul's and Gary Chadwick's departures are completely unrelated.
I never said they were related. My understanding is that Chef Paul was kept on a short leash during Chad's tenure as GM. Most of the chef's ideas were not approved and Paul had to tow the line in KD's food service department.
From what I have heard his departure happened last week and was not planned in advance.
For the record, Chef Paul did not leave on his own accord. I won't be surprised if history is repeating itself now. Paul and Dennis were very simular from what I could tell–both had grand visions for culinary at Kings Dominion, both set out to overhaul their department from the ground up, both ushered in incredible change that far exceeded anyone's expectations for what KD could serve to guests, and both vanished suddenly right when the fruits of their labor really started to reveal themselves. When Paul was removed, we entered a real new dark age for KD culinary. Basically everything he enacted was immediately rolled back. I desperately hope history doesn't repeat itself in that regard as well.
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He was unfortunately let go. What a stupid move.
Could be a number of reasons for this that aren’t necessarily culinary or vision related. Things like sexual harassment, making derogatory statements, creating a hostile work environment, self dealing, etc do happen and tie a company’s hands even when it comes to senior personnel.
I’d note that I‘m not implying Chef Denis did any of these things, but a sudden, unexpected departure can often be for reasons that aren’t related to general performance.