Dining in the Dark: A blindfolded culinary journey to help the blind

That was the reality at Karen Country Club this past weekend, where guests were treated to Dining in the Dark, a unique multi-sensory experience that swapped sight for taste, smell, and touch, all with efforts for raising funds for the visually impaired.

The evening began with cocktails before we surrendered our phones and any light-emitting devices at the entrance.

From that moment, roles were reversed. Guests, now blindfolded, were guided by visually impaired waiters into the dining room, a symbolic welcome into their world.

Once seated, my first instinct was to feel around. From the cutlery, the charger plate, and the napkin, we had to discover everything by touch before the first course was served.

Each meal, from appetiser to dessert, required us to rely on our senses, taste, smell, and touch to identify the dishes.

Despite the initial fear of navigating while blindfolded, our guides constantly reassured us. It was funny listening to people around me make their guesses, chicken? fish? potatoes? With so much confidence, only for some to find out they were absolutely wrong.

What stood out for me was the dessert, mostly because I have a sweet tooth but also because it was Singleton-infused, staying true to the brand’s multi-sensorial experience.

Serving myself water was by far the hardest part. Trying to locate the glass and then the bottle without spilling was a scary but hilarious challenge.

Yet, in the middle of the laughter, there was a deep lesson about how much we take sight for granted, even in the simplest of tasks.

As we ate, I realised something else. With no visual judgments at play, conversations flowed easily. I found myself talking freely to strangers at my table, people I might never have spoken to otherwise. There was a sense of togetherness, like we were all navigating the unknown as one.

For Trevor Koronei, the organiser and a member of the Global Shapers Nairobi Hub, the event was about both fundraising and creating awareness.

“I’ve spent time abroad where society really caters for people with visual impairment, but Kenya is not yet there. This event is not only about raising funds, but also giving guests a chance to walk away with compassion and empathy,” he said.

That message was echoed by Julius Mbura, a blind advocate for disability rights who guided guests through the evening.

“I hope people walk away more empathetic, not sympathetic. Sighted guests got to see that life is not about over-relying on sight, but about embracing all senses: touch, taste, smell, and sound,” he said.

The night also highlighted inclusivity innovations, such as fashion brand Hisi Studio, founded by Angela Wanjiku, which designs clothing for the visually impaired.

The pieces feature braille to indicate colour and prints, as well as QR codes that, when scanned, provide audio descriptions of the garments.

Guests remained blindfolded throughout the event, even during speeches. The blindfolds eventually came off at the end of the event.

The event closed with a powerful sense of gratitude and togetherness. For us, it was a one-night experiment, but for the visually impaired, it is daily life.

Dining in the Dark was more than a dinner. It was a journey into empathy, a celebration of senses beyond sight, and a reminder that the world is much bigger, richer, and kinder when we truly see with our hearts.