Media advisory - Four Senses set to premiere on AMI-tv

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) announced today that Four Senses, a new, original cooking series that unites blind and sighted chefs in the kitchen, will premiere on Friday, January 24 at 7 pm.

Four Senses is a unique food show produced by AMI in conjunction with Varner Productions Limited that features two prominent stars from the reality cooking show world. MasterChef USA winner Christine Ha and winner of Top Chef Canada 2012, Carl Heinrich team up to host this 13-episode cooking show with an accessibility twist. Each 30-minute show will feature cooking segments with celebrity chefs, discussions related to eye disease, and accessibility tips and tools for independence in the kitchen.

"It's great to be part of a show that is so mindful of those with vision loss," explains blind chef and co-host Christine Ha. "I 'watch' TV all the time, but I'm always asking others what's going on. With Four Senses everything is described, making it easier than ever to share in our television culture."

Taking an innovative approach to accessibility, Four Senses utilizes the practice of embedded description, where the description is worked directly into the program, eliminating the need for an additional narration track to be added in post-production.

Each week, Christine and Carl are joined in the Four Senses kitchen by high profile chefs including Michael Olson, Anna Olson, Christine Cushing and John Cirillo. Episodes explore different themes such as aroma, texture and romance, highlighted by recipes and cooking techniques that suit all degrees of interest and expertise.

Chef and co-host Carl Heinrich details his experience on the Four Senses set. "I was so impressed with Christine Ha and her ability to cook, taste, season and teach all without the use of sight," he says. "It was a pleasure to work with her as well as some of Canada's most celebrated chefs and be a part of something as innovative as Four Senses. I hope we can inspire people of all abilities to experiment and have fun in the kitchen."

Four Senses was shot in the beautiful Oliver and Bonacini Test Kitchen in the heart of downtown Toronto. Accessibility features were added to highlight how a blind chef like Ha might use common kitchen appliances including the stove top.

"Many people wonder how someone who is blind completes everyday tasks like cooking meals," adds Ha. "I want to show that we can do almost everything a sighted person can with the proper adaptations.  I hope Four Senses inspires both those with vision loss and those who are fully sighted to get into the kitchen and create beautiful, delicious, and nutritious food."

Don't miss the premiere of Four Senses featuring guest chef Christine Cushing on AMI January 24 at 7 pm.  Check your local provider or visit AMI.ca for the AMI channels in your area.

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About Accessible Media Inc. 
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is a not-for-profit multimedia organization serving more than five million Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing, mobility or print restricted.

Operating two broadcast services: AMI-audio and AMI-tv, and a website (AMI.ca), AMI's mission is to make accessible media for all Canadians.

Video with caption: "Video: Catch the premiere of AMI's new original cooking series Four Senses, Friday, January 24 at 7 pm. Hosted by Christine Ha and Carl Heinrich, Four Senses features a number of guest chefs, lots of delicious recipes and accessibility tips for success in the kitchen! ". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfJLXjvhw8U

SOURCE: Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)

Janis Davidson Pressick, Communications Manager
800-567-6755 ext. 0971, [email protected]

Taylor Turner, Communications Coordinator
800-567-6755 ext. 0977, [email protected]