’Tis Dining Month, the tastiest time of year! This means we’re dishing up fun and fascinating food content throughout October. Dig in, Milwaukee!
Every seven minutes, someone in the U.S. permanently loses his or her vision. In fact, by 2030, the number of Americans affected by age-related blindness is expected to double. And yet, most people have little idea of what it would be like to live life without sight.
Vision Forward, a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering, educating and enhancing the lives of individuals impacted by vision loss, is working to change that with Dining in the Dark, an annual fundraising event which offers guests the opportunity to take a guided journey into the world of vision loss.
During the event, guests will take part in an unforgettable four-course meal enjoyed in its entirety while blindfolded. During the meal, guests are invited to experience a world without vision, opening themselves up to deeper understanding and awareness of the reality the blind and visually impaired face on a daily basis.
This year’s Dining in the Dark will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Italian Community Center and will kick off with a reception at 5:30 p.m.
“The experience will affect each of us differently,” said Terri Davis, chief executive officer of Vision Forward in a release on the event. “For some, you may find eating your meal more challenging. For others, it may be talking with others at your table to be more difficult. Our hope is that you will all come away from this event with a deeper understanding of not only the obstacles that vision loss presents to each unique individual, but the positive affirmations that can be realized along the way.”
Dining in the Dark 2021 will be emceed by WISN’s Toya Washington and will feature a four course dinner prepared by Bartolotta Catering & Events. The event will also feature a presentation by Brittney Hodson, a credit services and call center representative at Kwik Trip Inc., who will share her story of sudden vision loss and the impact it has had on her life as a mother, wife and employee.
“As the only organization providing comprehensive vision loss support and programs for people of all ages in Wisconsin, Vision Forward needs the support of the community to serve its clients," adds Davis.
"The Dining in the Dark dinner serves two main purposes. It is a critical fundraiser to support our mission, and it raises awareness among the public for the valuable contributions that people with vision loss contribute to our community every day.”
To learn more about Dining in the Dark or to purchase tickets, visit vision-forward.org.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
