The Grand Opening of The Blind Kitchen was a big success!
Held where all The Blind Kitchen videos are shot, Willamette Falls Studios, the grand opening featured a plethora of delicious food prepared by the chefs from Debra’s culinary school alma mater. The food looked almost too beautiful to eat – but we found a way and it was extraordinary.
Also in attendance were instructors from the Oregon Commission for the Blind who taught Debra how to use a white cane, how to read braille, and, of course, how to cook with vision loss.
The TBK measuring cups allow a blind or vision-impaired cook to measure accurately. They include dots stamped into the handles indicating the size of the measuring cup.
It was great to be reunited with all of the teams that helped to make the Blind Kitchen a reality, including the website development team, the videography team, and the marketing team. We were graciously hosted by the Willamette Falls Media Center which allowed us to host the event in their facility.
One of the teams: The Blind Kitchen website designer Mary Ann Aschenbrenner, President of Waterlink Web, is seated front right. The website editor, Katherine Miller, is seated in the middle.
Friends and other well-wishers were also in attendance and the warmth and excitement for the future of the Blind Kitchen were palpable.
Thanks to all for being a member of The Blind Kitchen Community and for all of the good wishes!
Chef Debra channels Lucille Ball while speaking at the grand opening
— Chef Debra Erickson
P.S. Enjoy these photos below.
Chef Debra with Char Cook, food-prep instructor at Oregon Commission for the BlindDr. Chris Cooke, who taught Chef Debra how to read braille, with her guide dog Sterling, Char Cook who taught her how to use a cane, and Curt Cook at the grand openingChef Debra with film director for The Blind Kitchen, Edgar Garcia ChavezInstructors from the culinary institute, Chef Earl, Chef Allison, and Chef Aaron along with their protege, Chef Debra and TBK film maker Edgar Garcia ChavezInstructors from the culinary institute, Chef Earl, Chef Allison, and Chef Aaron along with their protege, Chef Debra and TBK film maker Edgar Garcia ChavezBack row from left: Jessica Adams, marketing Maya White, TBK director Edgar Garcia Chavez, audio description Daniel Donlon. Front row: director Gina Thardomrong and wardrobe/hair & makeu Erin Lyon ham it up before the event. Erin was also the event MC.Crystal Drake (right) is a friend from the culinary school shown here with her friend Tanner.Gift bags for each guest included tools from The Blind Kitchen collections.Makeup artist and event MC, Erin Lynon, Director Edgar Garcia Chavez, and Chef Debra EricksonTreats baked by the culinary school chefsThis lovely bouquet was a gift from Dean Erickson who embosses The Blind Kitchen measuring spoons and cups.Director Edgar Garcia Chavez and Chef Debra Erickson share a laughCurt Cook, Chef Debra and Penny Johnstone share a laughDirector Edgar Garcia Chavez and Chef Debra speaking at the grand openingFrom the right to left, Dr. Chris Cooke with her guide dog Sterling, Curt Cook, and Char CookMelody Ashford, Executive Director of Willamette Falls StudiosAfter the grand opening, Chef Debra makes her ways down the stairs of the Willamette Falls StudiosChef Debra speaking at the grand opening
