When guests step into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they’re transported to Batuu — a remote outpost where every sight, sound, and detail helps tell the story. And one of the most flavorful ways that story comes to life is through dishes that feel like they came straight from the Black Spire Outpost.
Behind the scenes, Chef Maria Colon Cabrera, head chef for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, helps shape the guest experience by making sure every bite feels like it belongs on Batuu — from ingredients and color to the way a dish is plated and named. As the Star Wars universe continues to grow, including the upcoming Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, Chef Maria and her team keep asking the same question: What would you really eat in a bustling galactic marketplace?
A Disney Journey that Grew with the Galaxy
As a second-generation cast member, Maria’s path began long before Batuu welcomed its first travelers. Both of her parents built fulfilling Disney careers before retiring from the company.
“Knowing my parents are proud means everything to me. Leading a team here and creating something so meaningful feels incredibly full circle,” Maria shared.
She never expected her career would lead her to help guide the culinary team at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where she balances creativity, storytelling, and her craft in a place where even a garnish can be part of the world-building.
“Joining the opening team for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Maria said. “As a Star Wars fan, seeing it built from the ground up, from dirt to props to menus, was truly a once in a lifetime thing.”
Supporting her every step of the way is her wife, Olivia, whom she met while they were both working at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Today, Olivia continues her own Disney journey as a leader at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Food as Storytelling on Batuu
Menu development often starts with dozens of ideas, then gets refined through tastings and story conversations. The team considers what guests already love, what might be served in a galactic outpost on the edge of Wild Space, and how small changes can transform familiar comfort food into something that feels right at home on Batuu.
Sometimes that means using color in unexpected ways. Sometimes it means rethinking ingredients to reduce waste. And sometimes it means adding a twist that makes guests pause and snap a photo before taking a bite.
“Pot roast, carrots, and potatoes are classic comfort food,” Maria said. “But what’s the Batuu twist? Add turmeric for a warm golden color. Suddenly it looks like something you’d find in a trader’s stall in Black Spire Outpost. Food is a big part of the story at Galaxy’s Edge. If it doesn’t make sense for Batuu, it doesn’t belong.”
Collaboration Beyond the Kitchen
One of the most rewarding parts of Maria’s role has been collaborating with Lucasfilm, ensuring that dishes not only look and taste right, but also align with the broader Star Wars universe.
“It’s an honor,” she said. “We’re continuing the story they envisioned for Batuu through food.”
That collaboration can extend to naming dishes, refining presentation, and adjusting the small details that keep Batuu authentic to the universe. And for fans, it’s especially fun when something you’ve tasted in the parks feels like it could be right at home alongside your favorite characters on screen.
Leading with Curiosity and Care
For Maria, leadership is as important as creativity. Many of the cast members on her team who helped open Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are still creating and learning together today. She takes pride in helping cast grow their skills, try new ideas, and bring their own backgrounds and perspectives to the land.
“You don’t know your potential until you try,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Learn from them and be better than you were yesterday. The best storytelling happens when many voices help shape the experience.”
That mindset reflects not only her leadership style, but also her own journey from a part-time cook to helping lead one of the most immersive culinary teams at Walt Disney World.
As guests celebrate Star Wars stories on screen and in the parks, Chef Maria and her team will keep doing what they do best behind the scenes: creating flavors that feel authentic to Batuu — and making the galaxy taste a little closer than ever.
Get a full look at all the new food and beverage items from a galaxy far, far away in this tasty transmission from Disney Eats!
