Press Release

Chef Richard Blais to Open New Restaurant in Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress to introduce new restaurant by Celebrity Chef Richard Blais

Chef Richard BlaisLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Oct. 4, 2021 – Acclaimed Chef Richard Blais will open his first Orlando restaurant later this year with a new tropical concept debuting at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, located adjacent to Walt Disney World.

Blais is widely recognized as the first winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars and recently announced co-star of the new Gordon Ramsay / FOX cooking competition, Next Level Chef. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and trained at The French Laundry, Daniel, Chez Panisse and el Bulli.

His new Orlando restaurant will make its home in the former Hemingway’s venue within the resort and offer dinner nightly and brunch on Sundays.

Blais currently owns and operates Trail Blais, a forward-thinking culinary consulting company that has consulted on, designed, and operated popular eateries across the country. He is the James Beard Award-nominated author of Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate, as well as his second cookbook, So Good.

Most recently, he opened Ember & Rye at the newly renovated Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, California and took on the role of Culinary Director at the newly opened San Diego Symphony performance space, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando

“It’s undeniable how talented and invigorating Chef Blais is. We couldn’t be more excited to be working with him for our newest restaurant,” said Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress General Manager Paul Joseph. “This concept is something very near and dear to our hearts and to Blais’s and we can’t wait to be able to unveil it to our guests.”

“I love having fun with my concepts and menus and I’m so excited about what we’ve got in store for this restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress,” said Chef Blais. “We’re looking forward to adding a memorable and innovative offering to Orlando’s already incredible food scene.”

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress will host a hiring event for the new restaurant on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the resort’s Windsong Ballroom. Positions available include management, cooks, bartenders, servers and greeters.