In the film Ratatouille, Chef Gusteau would tell all that visited his restaurant that anyone can cook. He inspired the rat in the film, who went on to make masterpieces, and real life brand Maggi believed the same.
Known for noodles, soups, and seasonings, the Swiss brand’s products are used in kitchens all over the world by professionals and the more casual cook at home. Maggi knew their reach could go even further. In Brazil, they worked closely with the Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind. The result was a multi sensory cookbook, which Maggi titled Cooking Blindly, or “Cozinha às Cegas” in Portuguese.
The book is a 130 page work of art. It combines the creativity of cuisine with so many different design ideas, stimulating as many of the five senses in every way it can.
There are embossed images so readers can feel the textures of ingredients, as well as Braille to read.
There are audio descriptions and sounds of sizzling steaks, so readers know what to listen out for.
There are local spices and fragrances behind tabs, so readers know what goes well together, appealing to the sense of smell.
For those with low vision, the pages are charcoal black with bold large type in the signature Maggi colours of mustard yellow and chilli red.
There are even tools tailored to help making cooking easier, like thermometers that say the temperatures aloud.
All these innovations, it’s like they thought of everything.
Alexandre Munck, Executive Superintendent at the Dorina Foundation said, “Everyone has the right to learn and be able to prepare their own food.”
Chef Gusteau couldn’t have said it better.
