The Most Magical Place on Earth is now the tastiest too, thanks to a Cedar Ridge graduate!
Dwight Cabanas started his culinary journey after graduating from Cedar Ridge High School in 2019. He enrolled in the Culinary Program at Ozarka College in Melbourne, earning an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts. After a setback due to Covid in 2021, he was able to finally join the Disney Culinary Program, an idea he had previously explored. Within a week, he was accepted! He moved to Florida and started the program at Epcot working an entry-level cook position on the Festivals Team. His “favorite part” of his Disney experience has been working at EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival. “I worked long hours working my way through each kiosk and sometimes working in the production kitchens backstage,” says Cabanas. “I did enjoy working in the kiosk way more than the kitchen due to the fact that I am a huge people person.”
His next assignment was in Magic Kingdom at “Be Our Guest,” a fine dining restaurant based on the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast, where he would see upwards of 5,000 guests a night. Next, Dwight went back to EPCOT working at EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival. “I think I came into my own around this time,” says Cabanas. “I really didn’t think coming into the Disney [Program] that I would be very good coming from such a small town like Newark, but I really think I excel every day.”
He has been working as an Advanced Cook at the Sunset Ranch Market in Hollywood Studios for almost 2 years, preparing meals for several locations including Rosie’s All-American Cafe, Catalina Eddie’s, and Fairfax Fare, just to name a few. Dwight stated he "really wouldn’t change anything" about his experience, and said “I’ve gotten the opportunity to work for and with people from all over the world. I’ve made so many friends here.”
Dwight says he “brings his Arkansas flare” to everything he does, and “reps Arkansas and Cedar Ridge as much as possible.” When asked if he wanted to provide a shout-out to some of his former teachers, he said “of course.” Read his comments below.
“Ms. Crow was someone when I was in Middle School that I did not see eye to eye with, but was the best teacher you could possibly ask for. She was someone who showed her human side too, and made me feel like she cared about me.
“Ms. Light was someone who was just the best ‘Teacher’ I’ve ever had in my life.”
He wanted to also express his gratitude for these former Cedar Ridge teachers: “Ms. Butler, Ms. Franks, Ms. Holder, Ms. Higginbottom, and Ms. Callahan.”
Congratulations on your success, Dwight! We are so proud of you!
