Join DARS Blind and Visually Impaired Consumers for a Royal Cook–off

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lose your vision? How would you perform simple tasks such as cooking meals?

On April 18 from 10 a.m. until noon the Department of Assistive of Rehabilitative Services (DARS) will present the King of the Kitchen competition at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) at 4800 North Lamar in Austin. The contest features ten teams comprised of blind or visually impaired DARS consumers and staff. The event is a fun and exciting way for folks who are blind or visually impaired to test their independent living skills in the kitchen.

Master Chef Carlos Valenica, a DARS consumer who is blind, will preside over five kitchens where teams will create various dishes with a secret ingredient that will be revealed when the competition begins. A panel of judges will award prizes and crown the king, or queen, of the kitchen. Following the awards at noon, everyone is invited to sample the creations at a buffet lunch.  The contest is patterned after the popular Iron Chef program on the Food Network and was organized by DARS consumers currently residing on the CCRC campus.

CCRC is part of the DARS Division for Blind Services. The comprehensive vocational rehabilitation training facility works in partnership with consumers to empower them to achieve their employment and independent living goals. Serving as a residential adult training facility in Austin, CCRC offers comprehensive training in core skills such as orientation and mobility, Braille, communication skills, kitchen adaptive skills, and using technology. CCRC counselors also provide consumers with career guidance.
For more information on the King of the Kitchen competition or to schedule your visit to DARS’ Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, contact Beth Bryant at 512/377–0630 or beth.bryant@dars.state.tx.us. To learn more about DARS, visit www.dars.state.tx.us.