Dining in the Dark with Orlando Police Department SWAT Team – Recap

Dining in the Dark is a Lighthouse Central Florida original that has grown in scale and popularity since it was first introduced in 2010. Attendees are treated to a multi-course, gourmet meal prepared by celebrated, local chefs and are served by members of the Orlando Police Department’s SWAT team — who navigate the pitch-black room outfitted in night-vision goggles. After dinner the lights slowly come up and diners are encouraged to offer telling, empathetic, testimonials about their experience. Featured menu selections were from Muddy Waters Orlando, B&A Catering, Oudom Thai & Sushi, Soco Thornton Park & Wildtree.

My thoughts: The event was well-organized and the guest servers from Orlando Police Department SWAT team were all focused and treated us with genuine respect and humility. I have never experienced service like that before in my entire life. They have all inspired me to become a better person and I am grateful to have these wonderful men as role models for our community. I never got the name of my guest server, maybe because he did not want to make it about him, but I trusted him and felt safe with him taking care of our table. As a naturally quiet & independent person, it was eye-opening, literally, to experience how important communication is when one of your five senses, sight, is taken away from you.

3 hours later, after the lights were turned back on, I felt humbled and empathetic towards those who live with blindness or any degree of vision impairment everyday. It was definitely the most humbling experience in my entire life.

I couldn’t tell you what we ate (they all tasted delicious, by the way) but I do know one thing that’s for sure. I have nothing bad to say about the service and I believe that everyone should experience the Dining in the Dark dinner at least once in their lives if they want to be truly humbled.

For more information, please visit lighthousecfl.org