The Tale of The Blind Chocolatier
Stuart Hann has been a dedicated pastry chef in the English Lake District since 2007, contributing to a team that has earned multiple accolades, including the prestigious 2 AA Rosette Standard. In July 2015, Stuart was diagnosed with the rare eye condition Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), leaving him legally blind. This challenge, however, became the catalyst for his new venture. Not only has he maintained his role in a 2 Rosette kitchen, but he is now bringing his magic to his own dream: The Blind Chocolatier. Based in his hometown of Staveley, this is Stuart's passion project—a luxurious chocolate shop in the beautiful Lake District.
Here at The Blind Chocolatier, our mission is to bring you the finest selection of top-quality, sensory-focused, handmade chocolates. We believe in craftsmanship, not sight. Our chocolates are lovingly crafted to ensure an amazing experience every time you try one. We invite you to stock up on as many as you can carry.
But be warned, they tend to disappear quickly!
If you wish to read more about the rare condition which Stuart and about 1000 more in the UK are affected by please visit: https://www.lhon.org
My Story Stuart Hann - The Blind Chocolatier
I grew up locally in Ings and Staveley, attending Windermere Junior School and then the Lakes School at Troutbeck. My passion for food started early; through the Lakes School, I attended Kendal College’s catering course and then went on to complete a two-year, full-time catering program there. To gain experience, I worked part-time at my grandparents’ pub in Ings, and my work placement led me to the Merewood Hotel. In 2007, I accepted a full-time position and began training to become a pastry chef.
The Unexpected Challenge
In July 2015, my life took a sharp turn when my eyesight began to rapidly deteriorate over a period of just three weeks. Securing hospital appointments proved difficult, and over the course of a year, we visited four different hospitals before finally being referred to the Newcastle Eye Hospital. There, I received a diagnosis of a rare genetic condition called Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a mutation that has led to me being registered legally blind.
My employers at Merewood were incredibly understanding during this difficult time. After my diagnosis, I had to pause working until all the necessary risk assessments were completed. We agreed I would return as a prep chef rather than a pastry chef. While I was happy to be back at the hotel where I had worked since leaving school, I was determined to prove to myself and others that I could still perform at the highest level. I retrained and adapted to overcome the difficulties with fine detail, ultimately getting my pastry section back and improving my skills.
Finding Inspiration and Giving Back
During my time off work, my mother and I watched a Channel 4 program called Kitchen Impossible with Michel Roux Jr., which featured a blind participant. My Mum was so moved that she emailed the program for advice. Remarkably, Michel Roux Jr. personally called my Mum to offer encouragement and contact details for helpful charities. She was so shocked, however, that she didn’t manage to pass on my number!
In my first year back at the hotel, the training company that owns Merewood, Impact International, supported me in doing a cake sale for staff and contributed to the funds I was raising. Along with another local sale, I raised just over £500 to attend a blind driving day put on by the Newcastle Guide Dogs charity. It was fantastic fun—not being able to drive is still the hardest part of being registered blind. I still attend car events like Goodwood and Santa Pod with my friends, though, frustratingly, they won’t let me behind the wheel!
The New Chapter
Now, I am following my dreams and ambitions by starting a new venture: hand-making chocolates in my home village of Staveley at Mill Yard, right in the heart of the Lake District. Friends and family began calling me “The Blind Chocolatier,” and it felt so appropriate to use this nickname and my surname as my business name. My official tagline became: “Hann-made by The Blind Chocolatier in the Lake District.”
If you wish to read more about LHON, the rare condition which affects around 1,000 people in the UK, please visit https://www.lhon.org.
More about the Blind Chocolatier
