A blind woman isn't letting the fact that she can't see get in the way of her goal.

Gabrielle Lozano, 20, is on her way to becoming a chef. She has loved to cook ever since she was a young girl.

"A lot of people don't realize what I can do until I show them," said Lozano, who has been blind since she was 4-years-old.

She had cancer and had to have surgery to remove a brain tumor. The surgery left her blind.

When Lozano decided to turn her passion for cutting and chopping into a career, it wasn't easy.

"Once (the culinary schools) heard I was blind they were like, 'oh.' "she said.

Lozano finally got into the culinary program at Manatee Technical Institute. She is the first blind person to attend the culinary school and her instructors say she's one of their best students.

Instructor Chef Bert Spagnola was worried how Lozano was going to cook without burning herself. He says at first he was apprehensive about her joining his class, but now says he teases Lozano that she can really see- she's just that good.

"She's absolutely amazing," Spagnola said. "She's an inspiration for all students."

Lozano hopes to open up her own catering business or café in the future. She also hopes she inspires others with disabilities to follow their dreams.

"People don't realize what they can do," she said. "I don't let anything stand in my way."

In addition to cooking, Lozano also sews and plays the piano. She also cooks for those with disabilities on the weekends.

If you'd like to eat some of Lozano's meals, lunch is served daily at the MTI campus in Lakewood Ranch where she goes to school.

The school is located at 5520 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Manatee County.