The OOHs of Voodoo – A Behind the Scenes Taste of CityWalk’s Iconic Doughnut Shop
There are few foods as universally beloved as the doughnut, and it’s easy to understand why. The versatile treat boasts seemingly infinite flavor possibilities, from the classic and always irresistible glazed, to the zany and imaginative flavors of today’s breakfast (or dessert?) pop culture (cookie butter, sour grape, cereal milk, you name it)!
I myself have a huge sweet tooth, so I was naturally captivated by the opportunity to get an exclusive, behind-the-icings look at one of my favorite stops in Universal CityWalk. When I walked into the kitchen (or perhaps “stumbled” is more accurate? I was practically knocked off my feet by the overwhelmingly tantalizing aroma), there was one thing I learned almost immediately:
To the team at Voodoo Doughnut at CityWalk, doughnuts are more than just doughnuts. They are an expression of art…fried and fluffy canvasses through which creative concepts unique to the destination are crafted.
Ready to see what that looks like? Try not to drool too much…
It starts with freshly made dough. Every. Single. Day. That’s the dominating sweet and sugary scent that soothingly stimulates your sense of smell.
While the dough is prepared, the team works on chopping, mashing, molding, and mixing doughnut fillings, toppings, frostings, you name it, all by hand.
When the doughnut base is ready and all the fixings have been freshly prepared, it comes to team members like Melody Jackson for the finishing touches, which she adds with a significant serving of joy.
As a prior cake decorator and lifelong doughnut zealot, Jackson has been a fan of Voodoo Doughnut at CityWalk before she was even a team member, and often reminisces about being a guest on that fateful opening day in 2018.
“The line was wrapped around Voodoo going back behind NBC [Sports Grill & Brew]. I think I waited for two to three hours, just trying to get doughnuts because I was so excited about it,” she says.
A couple years later, the self-proclaimed (and fellow team member-validated) pastry artist got the golden opportunity to put on the pink apron and join the team as a line cook. “I jumped on board right away,” she says. “I was like yes, please sign me up. I wound up working that very week that I applied.”
Today Melody plays a vital role in the operation. In tandem with her dynamic team, she supports the production of anywhere between 6,000 to 9,000 doughnuts in a single day!
But at Voodoo, she knows well that it’s not just about quantity of doughnut, it’s about quality. Melody gets to create her own flavors and designs, some of which have even been approved to be sold to guests, to their (and her) extreme delight. One such doughnut was the “flip flop” that was sold summer 2024 and is one of Melody’s all-time favorites. “You get to just utilize your creativity and show yourself through a doughnut,” Melody adds.
That type of creative input is welcome from the team members at Voodoo. “I want to encourage [our team members] to feel empowered to have an impact in the venue,” says Anthony Torres, assistant general manager of Voodoo.” And our chef team has been very involved and supportive of that.”
Anthony says seeing guests’ faces light up when they’re handed a uniquely decorated doughnut like Melody’s is a feeling that’s hard to beat. And when it comes to quality, the proof is in the passion.
“Part of it is the camaraderie of the kitchen, being able to work together,” he says. “Throughout the process you have to work hand-in-hand. It’s a really satisfying feeling when you’re at 8 [a.m.] and that whole window is full of doughnuts, and you have a line of guests.”
The aspiration of guest delight is the not-so-secret ingredient to Voodoo’s success, especially when it’s taken above and beyond. You may think you know Voodoo’s entire character with a single glance at the tongue-in-cheek storefront and magnificent doughnut wall, but Anthony says there’s also a lot of love behind it all.
For example…and speaking of love…did you know you can get married at Voodoo Doughnut? Yup. In fact, Voodoo Doughnut at CityWalk has now celebrated five weddings, one of them for a couple from the United Kingdom! Voodoo will even create special doughnuts for the occasion made to look like the doughnut lovers. How sweet is that?
Whether it’s being a part of the most important day of someone’s life, or just a small moment that causes a smile… as long as doughnuts are involved, happiness is soon to follow. That fact is both Anthony’s and Melody’s “why” behind the work.
“I love sweets, so it’s always an adrenaline rush every time I walk in,” Melody says. “You smell it and your pupils dilate, and you’re like ‘yeah, let’s go!’”
Melody is currently cooking up some new concepts for the fall. I know I’ll be staying tuned for that.
What’s your favorite Voodoo Doughnut? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Emily Eades and posted on the Universal Orlando Blog
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As co-owner and co-creator of The Main Street Mouse.Working in a technical support position for 18 years, it was time for a change.As the Webmaster and Project Planner, I spend most of my time researching everything from the latest Disney News, technology advances and of course keeping up on all the Marvel news that comes out.I never considered myself a writer but I’ve come to like blogging and sharing news with all.I feel blessed everyday that I get to spend my days working with my best friend and love of my life while we continue to grow and expand what started as a hobby all those years ago.
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