Blind cook shares passion on YouTube

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Former aircraft engineer Low Wee Keong became blind after a worksite accident but that has not stopped him from doing what gives him joy – cooking.

The 44-year-old, who publishes his own cooking clips on YouTube, plans the recipes and storyboard in his head before getting his housemate Alex Khoo to record the whole process.

Low, who picked up his culinary skills from his mother during his childhood, lost his sight after an accident in 2007.

“While working on an aircraft in Singapore, I fell and dangled on a harness secured to some pipes.

“The load caused the pipes to burst and chemicals from the hoses, which my harness was attached to, severely injured my eyes.

“My eyesight did not recover and three months after the accident, doctors confirmed me as blind, ” he said.

With the support of his parents and friends, Low got back on his feet and mustered enough courage to pursue his hobby.

Low explained that using his other senses, he edits the recorded footage by Khoo on a mobile phone to be published on his Blind In The Kitchen channel.

“I plan my recipes and then head out to the market during the weekend to get the raw ingredients.

“Alex helps me record short clips of my cooking and I signal to him when to start and stop by silently tapping my feet on the ground.

“Using the voice-over feature to help read the phone’s screen, I’m able to edit and produce the final video, ” Low said at his home in Taman Nagasari here yesterday.

On the video editor app, Low navigates using screen gestures to rearrange the clips, add in the background music and create the final production without actually seeing the unfolding video clip.

“I want to thank my mentors John Ong from the Penang Hokkien Podcast and fellow Penangite friend Colin Chee, who is now an Australia-based YouTuber.

“They encouraged me to share my passion for cooking and I published my first video in December last year, ” he said.

So far, Low has published 15 videos on his channel, sharing recipes such as Thai Pork Curry, Loh Bak, Claypot Fish Curry, Fried Congee, Braised Pork Trotter and Loh Mai Kai.

Besides the cooking demonstrations, he also brings the audience on food discovery trips.

Low said not being able to see had not only improved his cooking, but also made him appreciate the finer details of cooking.

“Cooking is now simpler and I don’t feel so giddy anymore. When

I had my eyesight, I was always tempted to add extra ingredients, which didn’t make the food any better.“Now that I cook with my heart and rely on scent and touch, the food tastes much better, ” he said.

Low hopes that people would subscribe to his Blind In The Kitchen channel on YouTube and support his journey.