On 23 November 2007, Ctaste opened its doors to the public. The first visitors had heard through the grapevine that the concept of dining in the dark was now available in the Netherlands too, and had booked a table at the city’s newest restaurant. The chef had prepared a delicious menu, the bar was stocked with polished glasses, and in the Netherlands’ first dark dining room, the very first, still-inexperienced waiter stood ready for his first guests. He had never done the job before, but with a bit of nerve and an afternoon of dry runs, he was sure to succeed. After many rejections, he had now found a job that might just be perfect for him. With vision of just a few per cent, seeing wasn’t his strong point, but he more than made up for it with his ability to listen, his sense of direction and his patience. He was an expert in the dark, and that was why he had found this job. In the end, he stayed with the company for over 14 years and trained dozens of new colleagues.
With that spirit, Ctaste has grown in recent years into a workplace where more than a hundred blind and visually impaired people can take their first steps in their careers. For some, it’s a permanent job; for others, a rewarding part-time role or work placement. There is always a group of around 10 blind staff members working in the service team.
Since 2007, the term used to describe Ctaste’s approach to business has evolved from ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ to ‘Social Entrepreneurship’, ‘Sustainable Business’ and perhaps even more variations on these themes. At our core, we have never changed; everyone is employed on a competitive salary and every member of staff plays their part in offering our guests an unforgettable experience. The guest and the experience are central, just as in a ‘normal restaurant’
We are recognised by the City of Amsterdam as a social enterprise; an important part of the city’s diverse business climate. This recognition ensures that companies can source from us as part of their SROI and that the City recognises this as fulfilling their social return obligation.
Would you like to know more about this topic or about our approach to business? Please contact us at info@ctaste.nl
