A sensory overload for diners in the dark

The Dining In The Dark sensory dining experience on Thursday 15 March, is an exciting concept which will combine guests using their senses to discover what they are being served in this seven-course extravaganza, with raising money for a blindness charity.

Guests will be served a variety of seasonal food over the seven courses and asked to comment on what they are tasting. Food will be cooked and served by students who are studying on a range of catering and hospitality programmes at the college.

Tables for the event at the Derby Road-based restaurant are available between 6.30-7.30pm and places cost £24.95 per person. Guests will see £10 go direct to the Retinisis Pigmentosa Fighting Blindness charity, which works hard to fund cutting-edge research to find a cure for the condition. Retinisis Pigmentosa is an inherited condition of the eyes which leads to loss of vision and blindness.

Hospitality programme area leader Jo Wilson said: “This event was a huge hit last year when we first trialled the dining in the dark concept.

“Diners found that by being blindfolded they concentrated much harder on the flavours and textures being presented to them. It certainly created a lot of interest and fun, and to be able to raise money for a very worthwhile charity while enjoying great food, you can’t go wrong.”

This is a ticket only event and is cash only on the night. To book at table at Refined, call 01623 413629 or visit www.refinedining.co.uk

Refined regularly hosts other fine dining evenings, themed menus and charity events which the public can get involved in. The industry-standard kitchens allow hospitality and catering students to perfect their culinary skills while front-of-house students work together to create an inviting hospitality facility which reflect the standards of the college.