You just have to have confidence and you can down one of those bad boys in minutes.
Food is my true passion.
I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef and host of Bigger Bolder Baking.
So that means great food is a huge part of my every day life.
You’ve seen me boldly bake over the top recipes.
Now travel with me on my culinary adventures around the world.
In this Episode of Gemma Eats…I’m at the original Disneyland in California.
Enjoying Disneyland’s take on some traditional treats.
Cooling down with a famous frozen dessert…
And going to town with this savory beast.
While even trying a delightful sweet with a strange name…
All right now on Gemma Eats.
Welcome to Disneyland California!
I’m really excited to be here with Olivia Crouppen.
Hi Everybody!
Olivia is my culinary assistant.
She is my eating buddy.
And she was also on Masterchef.
So here’s what we did.
We asked everybody on social media where should we eat at Disneyland and we got a huge amount
of requests.
Lots of different things.
Ice creams, all sorts of different stuff.
So we have our phone.
Olivia is going to check social media.
I have a map and we’re going to hunt down some really great things to eat.
So let’s go.
Let’s go.
They don’t call it the happiest place on earth for nothing.
Whether it’s your first time or one hundredth, the sights and sounds of this park are always
magical.
And of course this is one big and bold place for Eats of all shapes and sizes.
The colorful candy and confections alone could keep someone busy and full for quite some
time.
But we had our first stop in mind.
Just a little further into the park to New Orleans Square and the Cafe Orleans for their
Monte Cristo Sandwich.
I’ve never had one before.
Have you had one before?
You’ve never had one before?
No Never.
I love a monte cristo but I haven’t had one in years.
And I’ve never had one at Disneyland.
I’m just a little dubious about the sugar on top.
I like my sweets sweet.
And my savory savory.
So I’m wondering is that a little too much.
That’s fair.
But we’ll find out.
And if I don’t like it, I’ll just eat a whole bowl of fries.
True.
I haven’t been to Disneyland in over 15 years.
So you have a few times on me.
It’s exactly how I remembered.
But I can’t remember any of the food so I’m really excited to be eating.
That’s all I remember is the food.
So when I was a kid, we used to go as a family to DisneyWorld in Florida.
There were seven of us.
Sometimes 8 or 9 of us.
And it was such a blast.
We rented out a house.
And there was a pool there.
The weather was like nothing we had experienced before being Irish.
And the amusement parks are like nothing I’ve ever seen.
If I came here from Ireland.
It’s hot.
It’s sunny.
People are out eating all kinds of street food.
And it’s the epitome of American food.
And that’s awesome to us because it’s something we just don’t know.
There are so many things.
Corn Dogs?
What is a Corn Dog?
I find out later it’s something delicious.
That I probably shouldn’t be eating but it’s delicious.
Gorgeous!
Thank you.
Oh my gosh.
Kevin, Check that out!
That is a deep fried sandwich.
That’s not a sandwich, that’s a monster.
That is a sandwich that has been breaded and deep fried.
Did you know it was deep fried?
I didn’t know it was deep fried.
Oh, wait look.
Olivia.
We’re not all that bad.
Check out our vegetable.
Oh, just some healthy garlic fries.
Oh my gosh, the smell is insanity.
Ok, let’s dig into this sandwich.
Are you ready for this?
Cheers.
I am.
I was born ready.
Your first Monte Cristo.
Oh my gosh
Do you know what this is?
Ridiculous?
This is a donut with ham and cheese in the middle.
That’s what this is.
Hence the powdered sugar.
Honestly, it’s like the cheese melts into the donut and they become one.
They also give you a little bit of jelly here.
Black Currant?
Black Currant Jam?
That works for me.
Do you know what it’s like now?
A Jelly Donut with Ham and Cheese in the middle.
I legit like this.
I just can’t imagine now.
How do you go back to a regular sandwich?
Once you have a deep fried sandwich.
How do you go back?
It’s all downhill from here.
Or up?
Fries.
Don’t forget your vegetables.
One of your 5 a day.
Oh, we need to be doing some of this.
Look at this.
Can we just talk about all the garlic and parmesan.
Oh my.
Good call, Liv.
So, Gem.
It looks like everyone is talking about these Beignets.
And we’re in New Orleans so I’m thinking they’re pretty close.
Yep, right around the corner.
I think we should go because I can’t stop eating those fries.
I’m saving room.
Let’s go.
Just around the corner is the Mint Julep Bar famous for their Mickey-Shaped Beignets.
In this bag you’ll find doughy, sugary sweet bits of goodness featuring everyone’s favorite
mouse.
Go on, Liv.
Dig in while they’re still warm.
It’s time for my very first beignet.
I can’t believe you’ve never had one.
Oh my gosh.
Aren’t they sweet.
Look at it.
It’s like you got a baby one.
Mine’s like a big mommy one.
They’re adorable.
So beignets are pretty much very similar to donuts.
And they’re definitely something you find in New Orleans a lot that’s why they’re
here in the New Orleans Square.
Aren’t they yummy?
So good.
Do you think they taste better because they’re shaped like Mickey Mouse?
I think they taste better because it’s covered in powdered sugar.
I’m starting to think a beignet could be very closely related to a Monte Cristo sandwich.
I have to say though.
I’ve never been to New Orleans but I’m liking your guys’ style.
I would do well in that town.
I think we might need to visit.
I’m thinking next…we’re getting a lot about Dole Whip.
Have you had Dole Whip before?
Another first.
You’re in for a treat.
Dole Whip is awesome.
It was killing me not to ride any rides yet but I had more Eats in mind…
Near the entrance of Adventureland, is the Dole Whip stand and the line is usually really
long but I have a secret for you.
Ok, so come here.
I’m going to tell you a secret.
When you come to the Dole Whip stand.
You see these arches here.
Go through there and you can actually get served on the other side.
So don’t stand in that big queue like a chump.
Let’s go get ours really fast.
Skip the line!
There was no one in line on the other side so we were that much closer to this amazing
frozen treat!
Look at that!
I’m excited for you Olivia because you haven’t this before so let me know what you think.
Ok, here it goes.
I’d just like everyone to know that is 100 degrees here in Disneyland today so something
like this you have to have it’s a necessity.
It tastes just like a pineapple but with the consistency of the creamiest froyo you’ve
ever had.
Yeah, you’re right.
It’s delicious.
It’s like pineapple ice cream.
And it is cooling me down.
And actually I don’t know if you know this Olivia but I’ve made this before on Bigger
Bolder Baking because I came down here on a trip one time with Kevin and I had it for
the first time ever.
And I said to myself I have to make this.
Because you can only get it at Disneyland, right.
Yeah, I’ve never seen it anywhere else.
Everyone should experience Dole Whip.
So it’s only a few ingredients.
Blend up some pineapple.
It’s really easy.
It’s absolutely delicious.
I have to say though there’s definitely something about being here today in Disneyland.
100 degrees.
I definitely appreciate it right now.
What more could you ask for?
It’s creamy.
It’s delicious.
It’s awesome.
I love this.
This is clearly finished.
Should we move on to our next spot.
Let’s do it.
Let’s go.
So it was time for a little break from eating…Even though it was ridiculously hot, we had to
go on some rides.
No matter how old you are, Disneyland makes you feel like a kid again.
And of course we found a few good Eats along the way.
This is the next thing we’re going to stop at.
Now this is one of the reasons why I love Disneyland.
See right behind me?
Oh, no.
There are these carts everywhere and they sell Churros, hot dogs, corn dogs.
And my absolute most favorite thing ever and I think yours too.
Turkey Legs.
Turkey Legs!
Big as your head turkey legs.
We’ve got to go get one.
Let’s do it.
It’s like a bouquet of turkey.
Honestly.
Oh, I’m getting this.
I’m taking this.
Oh.
Sorry, Liv.
I don’t know.
Forget the beignets.
The Monte Cristo.
This is where it’s at.
Eat that bit there.
When I used to come to DisneyWorld as a kid with my family.
Every single one of us used to order a turkey leg.
And we would demolish it.
The whole thing and we were only like 6, 7, 8 years old.
Every single one of us.
And still to this day, if you say to my Dad Disneyland or DisneyWorld, the first thing
he talks about is the turkey legs.
You don’t forget that type of thing in a hurry.
To me what this is all about is fall off the bone like shreddy, smoky.
Get a big chunk.
Oh, look at.
See.
Kev, get in here let me show you why I love this so much.
See this.
It just falls apart and it’s smoked as well for extra flavor.
My favorite bit is the part that that’s really caramelized almost to the point of
burnt.
Sometimes they call that the bark.
The crispy bark.
If that’s good, you shouldn’t need anything else.
And that’s like this.
It doesn’t need any seasoning.
No sauce.
No special extra.
Gourmet turkey leg.
So since we filled up on something savory, we decided to go for something quite sweet.
The Red Rose Taverne is inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
This place feels like a story book come to life.
And we were told this was where we could find The Grey Stuff.
We got a lot of requests to come here.
I think it’s kind of crazy.
It’s white chocolate mousse, red velvet cake and a raspberry center.
But what it looks like from the pictures online it is a grey kind of coal-ly, charcoal-ly
looking thing so I’m actually really excited to try because it looks interesting and awesome.
I love red velvet.
I love raspberry.
And I love white chocolate.
And I love desserts.
Ok, Grey Stuff Gateau.
Let’s see what’s inside.
Are you ready for this?
I’m so ready.
What’s in there, Liv?
Look at that.
It’s a cake.
It’s like a red velvet cake.
Ok so it’s red velvet, raspberry and clearly this is a grey white chocolate mousse.
How does it taste?
Yum.
Yum?
Mmm.
Oh, it’s yummy.
Mmm.
The mousse is delicious.
It’s funny.
We kept on getting messages on Facebook and on Instagram to go eat Grey Stuff.
And I had to say to somebody, what are you talking about and where is it?
What is grey stuff?
She told me.
I feel like the name does not really do it justice.
I know I sound surprised but this is really yummy.
Good call.
All the bites are getting different.
Now I’m getting bits of raspberry.
Candies.
These little guys whatever they are awesome.
Crunchy crispy.
We had our vegetables today.
We had the potatoes (fries).
We had our fruit which was the Dole Whip.
And there were some grapes with the Monte Cristo.
If Grey Stuff was one of your 5 a day, we’d have them all ticked off.
Certainly worth it.
I don’t know about you but I am so full.
Stop laughing at me.
I’m stuffed.
I know, me too.
I’m stuffed.
And to be fair, we had a huge list of things coming here.
We didn’t even get to half of them.
So, you’re an awesome eating buddy.
I like that you love to eat everything.
But we’re just going to have to come back and do it all over again.
Thank you so much.
Thank you guys so much for having me.
You’re welcome!
Disneyland’s Eats aren’t stuffy or pretentious.
They’re simply about fun.
They’re about transporting you to another place…time…or even age.
At the end of the day, it’s about remembering that magical feeling and bringing it with
you wherever you go.
And wherever you eat…