By Annabelle Jackman
Blindfolds and braille aren't things you may normally associate with dining out but a culinary event with a twist is part of this year's New Zealand International Science Festival – and organisers hope guests will leave with more than just a satisfied hunger.
Guests are blindfolded, the menus are in brail, as science festival organisers hope to tempt the tastebuds and stimulate the senses.
Julie Biusos created the dining in the dark menu and says presentation is usually a key ingredient in her job but with blindfolded diners there are other things to consider.
“Its quite a challenge to think beyond that square; of course I've had to make sure no accidents nothings going to end up in the lap,” Ms Biuso says.
And to dine, blind isn't just a challenge for the menu designer.
If they are finding the whole thing a bit hard to swallow it's a daily experience for chef Julie Woods who has been visually impaired for 13 years.
Not that that has slowed her down in the kitchen; instead Julie Woods now relies heavily on touch.
“I can tell when chickens cooked because the skin gets tough or you can identify where objects are in the kitchen by their shape or by what’s left on the bench so there’s a lot of information that you use by your sense of touch,” Ms Woods says.
Ms Biuso hopes to give diners more than just fine food to chew on.
“We do take things for granted and so it'll make them a little more understanding of people who can't see.”
A sense blind diners may appreciate a little more.
3 News