If you're heading to Taste of Dublin 2012, you might like to take the opportunity to support a worthy cause, while also enjoying a food experience. Disability organisation Kanchi will offer visitors to the Taste of Dublin a truly unique experience. Kanchi Dine in the Dark will involve an exclusive tasting plate served by legally blind waiting staff, all done in complete darkness. The food will be prepared by 10 of Ireland's top chefs, including Ross Lewis (Chapter One), Kevin Thornton (Thornton's) and Malcolm Starmer (Bite) .
After being guided to tables, the diners will be served a taster plate. Without the usual sense of sight, diners will have to engage their other senses. Each sitting will last approximately 30 minutes, after which guests will have the opportunity to meet with the chef who prepared their food, discuss the cooking techniques and the local produce involved.
By removing one sense (sight), other senses can be heightened and altered. Additionally, communication in the dark is very different due to the lack of the usual visual cues. Although the event will offer food enjoyment, the primary aim is to challenge perceptions of difference and disability.
The ten chefs confirmed for the event are: Oliver Dunne (Bon Appetit), Malcolm Starmer (Bite), Stuart O'Keeffe (private chef and TV presenter), Ed Cooney (Merrion Hotel), Ross Lewis (Chapter One), Bridin Carey, Conal Markey, Richard Speedie (all Masterchef 2011), Kevin Thornton (Thornton's) with special guest chef Tom Dunne.
There will be several sittings each day during the Taste of Dublin festival for both lunch and dinner, with 25 places per sitting. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The cost of entry will be eight Florins (the festival currency) and this will cover the tasting plate and a glass of wine or alternative non-alcoholic drink.
The 7th annual Taste of Dublin takes place from Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th June, in the beautiful Iveagh Gardens. Tickets are now on sale at www.tasteofdublin.ie or call 0818 300 030. Advance standard tickets cost €20 and booking fees apply. For more information please visit http://kanchiinetwork.com/events/.
About Kanchi
Kanchi is a not-for-profit disability organisation established in June 2000 by Caroline Casey, a visually impaired social entrepreneur. Kanchi works to change mindsets and behaviours around disability by creating initiatives that influence business and media leadership. Their work is grounded in the Disability Business Case which demonstrates the tangible business benefits of embracing people with disabilities as employees, customers and suppliers.