The Jazz Kitchen is coming to Downtown Disney

Renowned Restaurateur to Bring a 'Taste of New Orleans" to The Disneyland
Resort Ralph Brennan to Open Namesake "Jazz Kitchen" in "Downtown Disney"

NEW ORLEANS, October 13, 1999 - In a masterful stroke of marketing magic, Ralph Brennan cements his reputation for hospitality extraordinaire via a partnership agreement with The Disneyland Resort to create 'Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen', a New Orleans-themed food and entertainment venue to open as part of the 1.4 billion dollar Disneyland Resort development which will add a new theme park, Disney's California Adventure, The Grand Californian, a 750 room hotel and Downtown Disney, a retail, dining and entertainment center to the existing Southern California Resort.

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, conceptualized as a savvy representation of New Orleans' dual legacies - food and music - will be an essential ingredient of 'Downtown Disney', the retail, dining and entertainment district to be centrally located between the gates of the existing Disneyland theme park and the forthcoming Disney's California Adventure park.

Slated to open in early 2001, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen will encompass 15,000 square feet distributed over two floors and a second story exterior balcony. Each component will be carefully crafted to evoke the charm and ambience of historic and contemporary New Orleans. Likewise, the cuisine, hospitality and entertainment at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen will showcase a distinctly New Orleans flavor; however, Brennan pledges to create an original concept and dining experience for Disney, rather than imitate an existing one.

A member of the Brennan family of Commander's Palace fame, and an internationally renowned restaurateur in his own right, Ralph Brennan boasts over twenty years of active industry experience. 'The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group currently includes New Orleans French Quarter restaurants Red Fish Grill, BACCO, and Mr. B's Bistro. Brennan also operates The Storyville District, a food and music complex located at the gateway to the French Quarter at 125 Bourbon Street adjacent to Red Fish Grill.

Highlights of Ralph Brennan's storied career include serving as the 1995-1996 Chairman of the National Restaurant Association, the largest trade group representing the foodservice industry; Winning the Gold Plate Award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers' Association in 1997; Serving his city and state colleagues as Past President of the New Orleans and Louisiana Restaurant Associations; Being named 'Restaurateur of the Year 1999' by the Louisiana Restaurant Association; and serving as the current Chairman of the Board of New Orleans' Emest N. Morial Convention Center.

Commenting on his partnership with Disney and his maiden voyage outside New Orleans, Brennan declares: "For years I've received offers from around the globe to partner on all kinds of hospitality-related projects. Our standards are incredibly high, and until now, I've passed on every invitation to expand beyond our home base in the French Quarter. The opportunity to marry our company's fanatical commitment to quality and hospitality with that of Disney, the most trusted brand name in this industry, is a win-win for everyone."

Located in the heart of The Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney will be an entertainment mecca of themed shopping, dining, nightclubs and other entertainment venues, all within walking distance for guests, conventioneers and local residents. Downtown Disney will become a unique gathering place, connecting two theme parks - the all-new Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland - along with The Disneyland Resort Hotels.