Dining in the Dark Marks 10 Years of Culinary Adventure in Muskegon
February 23, 2026
MUSKEGON, MI — Dining in the Dark, the immersive culinary experience created by Chef Jack Page, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year at the Muskegon Farmers Market on March 18th at 6:00 p.m.
For more than four decades, Chef Jack Page has built a career defined by creativity, quality, and community. From his early days at Breneman’s Restaurant and the first Domino’s Pizza in Muskegon, to a three-year apprenticeship at the Hilton Hotel restaurant, to opening nearly 20 corporate-owned restaurants across the region, Page’s culinary journey has spanned restaurants, hospital food service, and leadership at Smash Wine Bar in partnership with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Today, he shares his expertise as a culinary instructor at the Muskegon Career Tech Center.
The inspiration for Dining in the Dark began more than 30 years ago during Page’s time as an exchange student in Europe. There, he dined at a restaurant staffed entirely by blind employees—an experience that left a lasting impression. Years later, while managing Smash Wine Bar, Page recreated that sensory experience in a fully darkened dining room. When the wine bar closed, the event found a new home at the Muskegon Farmers Market, where it has continued to grow in popularity.
Dining in the Dark invites guests into a completely darkened space where sight is removed from the dining experience. Without visual cues, guests rely on their senses of taste, smell, and touch—often discovering flavors and textures more intensely than ever before. The evening quickly transforms from cautious curiosity to laughter and lively conversation as guests embrace the adventure.
“It’s amazing how much more you notice when you can’t see,” said Page. “Flavor becomes sharper. Texture stands out. It turns dinner into something unforgettable.”
A longtime advocate for sourcing local ingredients, Page’s commitment to farm-to-table cooking is rooted in both flavor and community impact. Growing up shopping at the farmers market with his family, he developed an appreciation for fresh, local ingredients—an approach that remains central to his menus today.
A signature highlight of the evening is the post-dinner challenge: guests are invited to write down their guesses of the dishes and key ingredients served. The participant who comes closest wins tickets to the following year’s event. A dedicated group of returning guests competes annually, determined to claim the title.
This milestone 10th anniversary will be especially meaningful. Page is involving several of his Muskegon Career Tech Center culinary students in the planning and preparation of select dishes, giving them hands-on experience in creative menu development and large-scale event execution. Guests may also see the return of favorite dishes from past events—along with a few surprises.
Dining in the Dark is more than a meal—it is a celebration of food, community, and the power of our senses.
Tickets and event details are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dining-in-the-dark-2026-tickets-1978157807252?aff=erelexpmlt
About Dining in the Dark Founded by Chef Jack Page, Dining in the Dark is an annual immersive culinary event held at the Muskegon Farmers Market. The experience invites guests to explore heightened sensory dining in a completely darkened environment while showcasing local ingredients and community collaboration.
Jack Page’s email: [email protected] and on FB https://www.facebook.com/DiningAdventures