The popular family restaurant chain ‘Harvester’ has partnered with Fifth Sense, a charity for those affected by smell and taste disorders, to help affected diners enjoy the experience of dining out once again.

The restaurant is inviting ten people with smell and taste disorders to take part in this special dining experience at The George Stephenson in Walsall. During the session, guests will learn how to utilise their other senses to reintroduce meaning and sensation back into dishes. They will be encouraged to experiment with different textures, tastes, and ‘mouthfeels’, using a selection of Harvester’s dishes and sauces.

Guests will also get to hear from a panel of experts, including Fifth Sense CEO Duncan Boak, in a ‘Big Flavour Favour’ mission to mark the 40^th birthday of the chain. One of Harvester’s head chefs will also be recommending ingredients and dishes on the menu that can contribute to greater enjoyment when eating out.

To be in with a chance of securing a place on this brilliant, and free, dining experience, interested customers must complete the application form, explaining their story and why they would like to take part. Whether an accident at an early age prompted their disorder, or their sense of taste or smell was permanently damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, all those affected by taste and smell disorders of any kind are warmly encouraged to apply.

The stories will be compiled, and the successful ten guests will be randomly selected. If you’re interested, you must act quickly – the deadline for entries closes this Monday, on the 24^{th of} July 2023.

The event itself will take place on Friday 15^th September, and the ten randomly selected guests will join ten members of Fifth Sense at the dining experience. Successful applicants will be drawn on 31^st July and contacted via email to confirm their place.

CEO of Fifth Sense, Duncan Boak, commented: ‘In 2005, I lost my sense of smell because of a severe head injury and there was no organisation to support me with my loss. That’s why in 2012, I set up Fifth Sense to help and inform people affected by smell and taste disorders, transform society’s understanding of the importance of these senses and drive research into better understanding and treating these conditions.’

He went on to note that: ‘One of the detrimental consequences of losing your sense of smell and taste is your perception and enjoyment of food which is why we are proud to team up with Harvester on their Big Flavour Favour mission this summer. We hope the sessions will support individuals navigate their love for eating out again and provide them with the tools and education to spark pleasure during mealtimes.’

David Hoyland, Operations Director at Harvester, also commented on the mission: ‘We recognise that living with a smell and taste disorder can be incredibly isolating, especially when eating out and socialising with friends and family. That’s why for our 40^th birthday, we wanted to share our love of flavour by partnering with Fifth Sense on our Big Flavour Favour Mission.’

For more information, or to register your interest, click here.