A Fresh Taste for Guyra with a Warm Welcome

The Blind Chef - Food by Maia has opened in Bradley St with Maia Loprot and Ian Edwards bringing their talents to town

24th Jun 2025

Ian Edwards and Maia Loprot are the passionate team behind The Blind Chef – Food by Maia, which recently opened its doors in Guyra. With Ian legally blind, the name is a nod to his resilience and drive, and to their shared journey through the world of food and hospitality.
The Blind Chef brand has built a strong reputation over many years in the Newcastle area. With a tree change in mind, Ian and Maia purchased a home in Guyra two years ago with a plan to bring their vision to life in this close-knit country town.
When the opportunity to take over the former JoJo’s café space came up, Ian made the surprise purchase – only telling Maia after the deal was done. It turned out to be the perfect spot and allowed them to make the move north permanently.
Conveniently located directly across the carpark from their home, the new location allows Ian easy access to come and go to restaurant when he needs to rest. They are appreciative of the small-town spirit they have found in Guyra, where locals support each other and everything – from produce to supplies – is just a phone call away.
More than just a café, The Blind Chef offers hearty Modern Australian meals with a twist of Asian flair. Their menu focuses on lunch and dinner offerings, and they hope to give the community more options for a quality meal, whether that is dine in or something they can grab on the way home.
The couple draws on years of hospitality experience. Maia, who began front-of-house, eventually found her calling in the kitchen. Coming from a family of chefs, her culinary flair and dedication to scratch cooking shine through every dish.
Ian and Maia have worked together for a long time and continue to learn from one another – blending their talents to create a unique and welcoming dining experience.
They hope to make the most of Guyra’s local bounty with Maia using fresh, local ingredients to create everything from scratch.
“Everything is special if it’s made with love, fresh ingredients, and tried-and-true recipes,” she says.
If they were looking for a sign that they had made the right move, it came on the first day of trading. It snowed, making what was supposed to be a quiet launch into one of the busiest days of the year, and the response was overwhelming.
Now well into their stride, Ian and Maia are thrilled with the community support they have received and are planning future special nights and hope to bring even more people into town.
They want The Blind Chef to help reshape the way people see Guyra – not just as a cold stop on the map, but as a place full of warm welcomes and memorable meals.

Going strong for 100 years

Phone	(02) 6779 2347
Email	Contact Us
Social

A Fresh Taste for Guyra with a Warm Welcome

Menu

News

Contact