A Blessing Among Us

Partially blind from birth, musician Blessing Offor is a rising star with a big personality. There isn’t much of anything he can’t do – including cooking.

When we arrive at Blessing Offor’s apartment for the photo shoot, he’s multitasking as usual: holding the door for the photographer, listening to his earbud transcribe Instagram messages, and greeting us with friendly hospitality. The apartment itself, a cozy one bedroom in the 12 South neighborhood, looks more like a recording studio than a living space. Guitars, both acoustic and electric, hang on the walls or take up prime spots on the couch. A keyboard and synthesizer, just a step and a half from the sink and stove, dominate the kitchen. Whereas most apartments feature armchairs and a large screen TV, this one features a grand piano. And it works, too. At least it does when Blessing sits down to play. That’s when magic happens -- Blessing is blessed with some major music-making muses. His warm-honey voice fills the space like aural incense as his fingers dance across the piano keys. He plays “Rain on a Tin Roof,” one of his songs from his new album. His neighbors must rue that the walls are so thick.

But Blessing is not only a rising star. He is also a shining example of the human capacity to triumph over adversity. His college days just freshly behind him, Blessing has already overcome more obstacles and has achieved more accolades than most people will experience in a lifetime. Born blind in his left eye with congenital glaucoma, Blessing – the name given to him at birth – was sent from his native Nigeria at age six to live with his uncle in Connecticut, providing him a better chance at success. Unfortunately, at age ten, a freak accident detached his right retina, leaving him legally blind. Not deterred, Blessing received an outstanding education and earned a degree from Belmont.

“I don’t sell blindness or pity,” Blessing says. “I wake up each day super blessed to be myself. ”

And why shouldn’t he be? Blessing is a walking fountain of positive vibes, a bountiful blend of a sharp mind, an easy laugh, a quick wit, and a kind disposition. Add to that his deep musical talent -- voted one of the top 20 on The Voice in season seven and mentored by Alicia Keys and Taylor Swift -- and the result is a young, professional musician who is increasingly in-demand.

But popularity, a life of traveling and gigs and “sessioning” in studios, can take its toll on an artist. Hence one of the motivations Blessing has to lead a healthier lifestyle, exercising more, and being mindful of what he consumes. “I don’t eat badly, but I want to eat better,” he admits. “I want to treat cooking like an art.” Although he can’t see them, Blessing can sense the raised eyebrows of his listeners. “Hey, I like cooking a ton,” he says with his gentle laugh.

“You don’t have to be able to see to cook. You can tell all you need to know by texture.”

At this point Blessing demonstrates the classic meat doneness test, holding out one of his hands and pinching bits of it with the other. “That’s what well-done feels like,” he says, placing his thumb and index finger on his wrist. “That’s medium rare,” he adds, pinching on the base of his thumb. “And that’s rare,” he concludes, then squeezing the flap of skin between thumb and index finger. “I have yet to cook something that I could not find a tactile improv for.”

It’s a very useful skill, and one that he is about to need. Just as Blessing improves his musical art by playing with session musicians, on this particular evening he will improve his culinary art by cooking with an experienced pro, Laura Axelson of Dinner Belle Nashville, a meal delivery service focusing on local ingredients and fantastic flavors, all conveniently and sustainably packaged in reusable glass. Tonight’s menu is Spring Vietnamese Salad, a dish that will require Blessing to chop vegetables and saute chicken. Blessing is undaunted. “When I do burn myself,” he quips, “it’s out of stupidity rather than a lack of vision.”

Laura places the ingredients on the kitchen counter as Blessing feels them gingerly. She has already prepped them. “Hey, this is great,” Blessing says. “When I go to songwriting sessions, I’ll have the hook already done. Just prep. It’s like the same trick.”

As Laura teaches him a new dish, Blessing gets down to cooking and soon the apartment fills with the fragrant smells of onions, garlic and lime. “The onions need a bit more time,” we hear Blessing comment confidently. “I know that they’re not ready yet by pressing down on them. They’re still crunchy.” Follow Blessing on Instagram @blessingoffor.