Chef Ron Rupert has been feeding WDW guests for decades . Here he is in the 1998 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Guide as a featured chef . See more from this retro fest on page 31 .
Chef Ron Rupert heads up the kitchen with a focus on foods that pair beautifully with wine . PHOTO COURTESY OF WINE BAR GEORGE
FOOD BAR RON The name on the sign is certainly George , but Miliotes gives his compliments to the chef .
When I asked about the menu , Miliotes first said , “ Here ’ s where the light needs to be shined on Chef Ron Rupert .” Rupert and Miliotes have a long history of serving Walt Disney World guests . Starting in 1993 , Rupert worked alongside Miliotes at California Grill , and the formidable duo continued to collaborate over the years at other restaurants , including at the famous Seasons 52 in Orlando .
Rupert ’ s menu features favorites such as Saganaki on Fire , Grilled Whole Greek Sea Bass , and House-Made Meatballs . The variety reflects the theme of accessibility , with mocktails , mixed drinks , and an allergy-free menu . But don ' t stress about which meat goes with which shade of wine . Miliotes and Rupert have that covered . Miliotes said , “ It ’ s been a pairing and a team effort between the kitchen and our whole group of sommeliers . But Ron makes it easy for us because his food goes with wine .”
The menu at Wine Bar George doesn ’ t concentrate on a particular style . It is a mix of various flavors from around the world — and that ’ s by design . Miliotes said , “ We have a lot of different flavors going on , which allows us to use a wide range of wines to pair . [ It ’ s ] part of the fun of what we do ... whether we recommend a French wine with chimichurri sauce , it ’ s still cool , right ?
“ Ron is a really , really great chef . It ’ s not about being in the spotlight for Ron ; it ’ s about really making great food day-in and day-out … Ron knocks out food for guests every single day in a beautiful way . You can tell I like Ron !”
The menu doesn ' t follow any one particular culinary style ; the focus is on good flavors that match with good wines . PHOTO COURTESY OF WINE BAR GEORGE
Well , sorry , Ron , we just had to brag about you for a minute . ( I actually had to cut some of the praise from George . He really likes you , Ron .)