Jiko Celebrates Quarter Century at Walt Disney World

Jiko - The Cooking Place is celebrating its 25th anniversary at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Since opening in 2001, Jiko has brought African cuisine to the forefront of American dining.

The restaurant's design, inspired by traditional African kraal villages, sets the tone for an immersive culinary experience. With a collection of African art and expansive savannah views, authenticity is key to the guest experience.

Karen McClintock, manager of global public relations at Walt Disney World, credits Dieter Hannig, former vice president of food and beverage, with recognizing the importance of education in introducing African cuisine to guests. Tastings, presentations, and immersive experiences helped cast members and stakeholders understand and appreciate the continent's diverse culinary traditions.

Jiko's chef de cuisine, Eddy Mendoza, emphasizes that they distill the entire continent through the contemporary lens of Cape Town, South Africa. They do not represent a static culinary moment but instead showcase a cuisine that has been evolving since before the Spice Road was discovered.