Ian Edwards

Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie)—I'd like to acknowledge Ian Edwards from Speers Point for his efforts in not only overcoming adversity but making life better for many others. Also known as The Blind Chef, Ian's culinary career began in 1982 and he later worked as a chef in some of the Hunter's top restaurants. Sadly, he suffered a detached retina in 2015 which left him legally blind. He was told he would never work in a kitchen again. Determined to prove medical experts wrong, Ian rose to the challenge and opened two successful restaurants, appropriately named The Blind Chef, which operate out of Boolaroo Bowling Club and Cardiff Bowling Club. He also launched a program in which he trains other people living with vision impairment in the food service and hospitality industry. Ian has also worked as a mentor with Vision Australia, giving hope to young people, and has donated his time and skills to Retina Australia's Dining in the Dark. I congratulate Ian on his determination to improve not only his own life, but the lives of so many others.