Igniting a Culinary Revolution: Beyond Sight, Beyond Limits.
Welcome to Golden Eye Chef, where culinary mastery is unleashed and boundaries are shattered. We are not just an organization; we are a ground-breaking global phenomenon. Since our inception in 2019, Golden Eye Chef has proudly stood as the world’s only international cooking competition exclusively for blind and visually impaired chefs.
This isn’t just a platform; it’s a transformative movement, propelling adaptive culinary talent onto the world stage, shattering perceived limitations, and fundamentally redefining what’s possible in the kitchen. What began as an audacious experiment has erupted into a sprawling global force, spanning continents and proving unequivocally that skill, creativity, and indomitable resilience are never confined by sight.
The Architect of Transformation: Akhil Srivastava
Golden Eye Chef was envisioned and brought to life by Akhil Srivastava – a distinguished social development leader with over 25 years of profound impact, alongside his expertise as a seasoned web and graphic designer. In 2006, he founded Antardrishti, a 100% volunteer-driven powerhouse organization dedicated to empowering visually impaired individuals.
Golden Eye Chef is proudly orchestrated by Antardrishti, headquartered in Agra, India. Together, we relentlessly dismantle barriers through audacious innovation, unwavering advocacy, and strategic global collaboration.
Our Unwavering Vision: Simplifying Life, Universally.
As our founder Akhil Srivastava passionately states, “To truly embrace life, we must simplify it – universally.“
Akhil’s vision transcended convention. He conceived a platform that unequivocally demonstrates blindness is no impediment to achieving culinary greatness. Golden Eye Chef exists to empower the blind with unshakeable dignity, boundless opportunity, and undeniable visibility – one magnificent dish at a time.
Why We Matter: Demolishing Barriers, Inspiring Inclusion
Across the globe, visually impaired individuals – particularly women – often face systemic exclusion from professional kitchens, due to ingrained myths about safety and capability.
Golden Eye Chef doesn’t just challenge this antiquated narrative; it demolishes it by:
- Demonstrating: That talent and boundless creativity explode far beyond the confines of sight.
- Encouraging: The global hospitality industry to radically rethink its training methodologies and hiring paradigms.
- Inspiring: The genesis of a more inclusive, profoundly equitable global food culture.
This is not an act of charity; it’s a resounding celebration of blind culinary genius – vibrant, bold, and undeniably world-class.
Our Core Purpose: Vision & Mission
Our Transformative Vision:
To be a global catalyst for culinary inclusion by redefining ability through innovation, skill, and opportunity.
We envision a world where visual impairment is no limitation to talent, where every kitchen welcomes diversity, and where “Cooking Beyond Sight” becomes a movement that reshapes how the world sees capability.
Our Imperative Mission:
Golden Eye Chef empowers blind and visually impaired individuals by creating transformative culinary platforms that champion inclusion, representation, and economic opportunity. Through the world’s only international-level cooking competition for the visually impaired, we celebrate adaptive talent, break societal barriers, and collaborate with global change-makers to serve up a more inclusive world — one dish at a time.
Our Seismic Global Impact & UN SDG Alignment
Golden Eye Chef is intrinsically woven into the fabric of global progress, powerfully aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 8
Decent Work and Economic Growth: Creating tangible economic pathways.
SDG 10
Reduced Inequalities: Actively dismantling systemic barriers.
SDG 3
Good Health and Well-being: Fostering mental and emotional fortitude through empowerment.
Our Unstoppable Reach & Enduring Legacy (2019–Present)
Since our inception, we have built a powerful legacy:
- 200+ visionary blind chefs from 15+ nations have already graced our stage.
- Successfully hosted in India, Spain, Germany, South Africa, and actively expanding its footprint into the Americas.
- Judged by an unparalleled roster of Michelin-star chefs and legendary culinary icons.
- Bolstered by an expansive network of unwavering partners across hospitality, cutting-edge technology, education, and influential media.
Our Alumni Triumphs include chefs who have:
Successfully launched their own acclaimed restaurants.
Led prestigious international culinary workshops.
Become powerful advocates for inclusive gastronomy, inspiring a global shift.
Transforming Communities, Revolutionizing Perceptions
Golden Eye Chef’s impact reverberates far beyond the kitchen, catalyzing profound change by:
Forging unshakeable confidence and profound independence among every participant.
Securing undeniable global recognition for blind chefs, challenging stereotypes.
Driving critical policy conversations on disability rights, equitable employment, and social equity.
Pioneering inclusive training models that are now being adopted by leading hospitality schools worldwide.
Igniting a cultural paradigm shift in how ability is perceived and celebrated.
Meet the Team | Golden Eye Chef
What begins as a spark of genius in the kitchen ignites a powerful ripple effect, transforming hearts, homes, and entire societal systems.
Antardrishti
a social development organisation is committed to the cause of blind people in our society. Towards this we had made a humble beginning in 2006. It is registered as a Charitable Trust under Indian Trust Act, 1882.
100 % Volunteers based, with need based approach we are here to inform, educate and advocate issues related to Eye Care, Eye Donation and Empowerment of Visually Impaired.