Entertainment

How Does a Blind Chef Compete on Reality TV? You’ll be Amazed (Plus: Get Her Tips)

(Full disclosure: I am a devoted fan of Gordon Ramsey’s reality TV program called “Master Chef.” On the current season, one of the most promising contestants is a blind woman.)

Cooking a gourmet meal is no easy task. Imagine having to prepare and cook even a simple meal without the benefit of sight. We are not suggesting that you blindfold yourself and try chopping veggies for a salad. We just want you to consider how daunting a task like cooking becomes once you remove the ability to see your ingredients, utensils, and the hot stove in front of you.

Christine Ha is blind and she is also one of the chefs currently competing for the title of “Master Chef” on the Fox TV show by the same name. More than 30,000 hopefuls tried to cook their way in to the “Master Chef.” The competition winner will score a $250,000 first prize, a cookbook contract, and bragging rights as America’s master chef. (This is just the third season of the show in America. There are versions in other countries and we speculate that winners from different countries may soon face off in a competition of “Global Master Chefs.”)

Cooking Tips from Blind Chef Christine Ha

Christine Ha works to create the perfect strawberry shortcake

Ms. Ha lost her ability to see thanks to a slow deterioration of her vision caused by something called neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Completely blind since 2007, Christine has developed get other senses to allow her to cook at the high level needed to compete in the pressure-filled environment found on “Master Chef.”

The 33-yr-old Ha has help from a guide. However, the helper has limitations and is only permitted to assist the chef navigate the pantry, grab various ingredients and utensils, and move from room to room during the show. Aside from that small concession, Christine competes like every other contestant on the show. On Tuesday night’s episode she earned the title of “team captain” for one of the challenges and successfully guided her group of chefs to victory.

Cooking Tips from Blind Chef Christine Ha

Chef Ramsey is impressed with the skills of blind chef Christine Ha

So, how does she do it? How does a totally blind chef manage to consistently create perfect meals in the super-charged, competitive environment of the “Master Chef” competition? Ha relies on a few tricks that she taught herself as her vision began to deteriorate. Obviously, Ha must make use of her other senses in order to compensate for a lack of vision. She is frequently seen tasting, smelling and touching the ingredients and dishes in each challenge. Gordon Ramsey has often said that he can tell how well a piece of meat or fish is cooked, just by touching it. Ha has managed to perfect this technique, serving perfectly cooked meats each week.

Apparently, I am not the only one who has become fascinated with the blind chef who has managed to breeze through the first portion of this competition and earn a spot inside the final 12. Last week, the BBC Magazine also published a feature on Christine Ha, adding a list of tips from blind chefs.

A few of the tips from blinds chefs that made great sense to me:

  • Hazelnuts – top left - Strict organization of a kitchen makes for very efficient food preparation. Ha knows where every ingredient is located in her kitchen.
  • Listen to the sponge cake - Blind chef and instructor Sue Pallet claims that you can hear when a sponge cake has finished cooking. (She also adds that chefs should use timers and the sense of touch to tell when the food is properly cooked.)
  • Sauce pan not a frying pan - This tip makes great sense to me. Avoiding trouble in the kitchen is always a good thing, especially when hot oil is involved. By using the higher-walled sauce pan instead of a frying pan, any chef can spare themselves from the mess and dangers inherent in spills.

You can see her in action on the show, below:

To see the full list, visit the BBC Magazine.

Comments (25)

  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 3:30am

    Outstanding

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • ednapearl
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:37pm

    I like Masterchef but this year it has been really interesting with Christine Ha. She is amazing, she doesn’t allow her blindness to be a handicap to her.

    Report Post »  
  • blair152
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:35pm

    As someone with a disability myself, (a traumatic brain injury), I can see how she overcame her blindness. She deserves the white apron.

    Report Post »  
    • OniKaze
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:53pm

      I’m sorry to hear of your situation… My Uncle has had a severe brain injury that has caused him to become mentally unable to live on his own. Good luck, and keep working hard… I know its not easy to live “normally” after brain function you used to have is no longer presant.

      My Uncle (before his accident) was a guy who got straight A’s in all of his schooling… Now, he has a hard time with just about everything… Its painful to SEE someone go from being one of the most intelligent and functional people you know, to being one of the LEAST functional people you know..

      Its painful to see, and I can’t imagine what its like to live through it yourself.

      I hope your case is not as bad as my uncles, but either way, I am pulling for you, and wish you nothing but the best…

      Report Post » OniKaze  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:33pm

    What a sweetheart.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
    • dennybug
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:18pm

      Not only a sweetheart but a beautiful person inside and out! What a class act. She has manners that you dont see much of any more. If more people would raise their off spring with the respect and manners of her our country wouldn’t be in the condition it is now.

      I’ve been watching her and Ramsey from the get go! Love the show and his others.

      Best to luck to Ms. Ha. I’m praying for you and all your endeavors! What a wonderful person!

      Report Post » dennybug  
  • Patriottoo
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:32pm

    Never miss the show. I thought she wouldn’t last long, but now I think she might win it. Even if she doesn’t win, she has a bright future. If she doesn’t get her own show, I will be surprised.

    Report Post »  
  • NoMoreOf44
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:25pm

    She is amazing..God Bless Her for even being on that stage….I would love to go to her restaurant when she has one…. but who wouldn’t

    Report Post » NoMoreOf44  
  • Drahcir
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:13pm

    In one segment, she put her plated down for examination, then turned it, as if to present a more attractive angle to the judges. Yes, she has some degree of vision.

    Report Post »  
  • 18666929374
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:13pm

    She‘s not the first blind chef on TV she won’t be the last.

    Report Post »  
  • shakedowncrews
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:54pm

    No matter what happens, she’s a WINNER in my book, and an inspiration.

    Report Post » shakedowncrews  
  • west coast style
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:36pm

    Christine is one of my favorites to win (along with Felix). But I have to correct you here. She’s admittedly not 100% blind. She explains her condition in the following articles.

    http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/06/21/masterchef-christine-ha-blind/

    http://gossipandgab.com/5109/masterchef-2012-blind-contestant-christine-ha-not-fully-blind

    She said: “From a medical standpoint, doctors call my vision ‘counting fingers.’ If you hold your hand 10 to 12 inches from my face, I could count your fingers as long as the lighting isn’t too dark or glaring. The way I often describe it is that it’s like if you take a really hot shower and then you look into the foggy bathroom mirror, where you only see vague shapes and shadows.”

    Report Post »  
    • quiltgal
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:55pm

      I understand her condition. I have some experience with partially blind and totally blind individuals. My father was increasingly sight-impaired in his 90s and there was no fix for his deteriorating sight. He struggled, and although it was wrenching to witness, I was inspired by the fact that he never complained, always trying to do his best, adapt to the situation, and make it on his own. It was the same courage he exhibited as a POW in Germany during WWII. He was liberated when the war ended and then, emaciated, he walked across Russia to get to American boats that would take him home to the U.S. and my mother. It was the thought of her that motivated him, and perhaps kept him alive.

      I also used to ice dance with a skater who was totally blind. His acute hearing and other senses, some of which even seemed almost beyond normal, made up for a lack of sight. He was an amazing skater and partner, and I trusted him completely.

      Christine may have some minimal sight but the challenges she has overcome are indeed incredible.

      Report Post »  
  • rikyt74
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:41pm

    Love this story. What a great person and roll model!

    Report Post » rikyt74  
  • quiltgal
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:28pm

    I love this show and Christine is the most exciting competitor they’ve ever had. She teaches us that, even when obstacles to success seem huge, human beings can accomplish the most amazing feats with enough determination and enthusiasm. Go Christine!

    Report Post »  
  • Angel_light
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:47pm

    that is so cool. She is a great inspiration

    Report Post » Angel_light  
  • Countrygirl1362
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:35pm

    Have been watching this and she is amazing. I would love for her go on to win.

    Report Post »  
  • STLcon
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:16pm

    I didn’t believe it would be possible for her to compete at the beginning of the season. A pleasant surprise that she is not only competitive but is one of the front runners. Congratulations Christine Ha. I hope you make it all the way.

    Report Post »  
  • piper60
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:05pm

    I hope she does well.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • wabaggett
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:02pm

    Very insprational. In a way she has an advantage because her sense of taste, smell, and touch has been improved by body having to rely on her other senses to compensate for her lack of sight. I would much rather eat one of her dishes than any of the other chefs, I bet they are amazing! She’ll easily win this compition hands down and deserves to.

    Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:59am

    Cooking is one thing, she makes awesome looking plates, I’d love to know if her assistant does most of that.

    Report Post »  
    • Mike Opelka
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:52pm

      Christine MUST plate all of her stuff… the asst is ONLY permitted to grab supplies for her… They have shown her plating and making things look perfect. It is amazing.

      Report Post » Mike Opelka  
    • sWampy
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:41pm

      Some of the talks I’m had with Whitney, and Patrick House, make me believe most of what you see on these shows has very, very little to do with what actually went on.

      Report Post »  
  • T-2
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:50am

    she’s my favorite this season.

    Report Post »  
    • sparta48
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 10:22am

      She is the Best I just love her, very great person, we need more like her

      Report Post » sparta48  

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