The special kitchen providing a boost to Aussies with blindness and low vision

A new purpose-built kitchen has been installed at Guide Dogs Victoria with the aim of giving people with blindness or low vision more independence, and it's been given a boost by an Australian celebrity chef.

The classes and equipment in the kitchen are designed to build confidence and practical skills.

"Talking weighing machines, the specialised gloves that help us so we don't burn ourselves, it's just opened my world," participant Maria Hamilton said.

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Occupational therapist Kerryn Bousfield said apart from the kitchen's unique equipment, like talking induction hobs, there are little tricks to keep participants safe.

"Organisation is probably your best friend," she said.

"Know where everything is."

Michelin-starred celebrity chef Curtis Stone was invited to join the group and was impressed.

"I think I'm learning more than I'm teaching, to be honest," he said.

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"These guys are incredible, doing a great job."

As an ambassador for Coles, Stone has helped deliver the proceeds from the supermarket giant's campaign, with five cents of every pet food item sold in the past month going to Guide Dogs Victoria.

"They've raised $300,000 to go to the training and breeding of these beautiful animals and they're going to change people's lives," he said.

"It's pretty cool."

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.