[Ansteorra] Feasts and Special Diets

[Morgan Cain (Ansteorra)]

I do agree with Clarissa and Meabdh that we cooks cannot cater to everybody.
But I do think it is important for the cooks to make their ingredients lists
known as far in advance as possible, not just on the day, so that people can
make decisions ahead of time.

It's annoying to have someone say "well, you won't cook a special meal for
me so I won't eat onboard" and not have them at least look at the menu.  No,
I won't cook a special meal - but I can do something like cook one roast
without onions, as I did for His (now) Majesty at 12th Night.  I've seen
people leave sugar out of one tarte filling, and I've made a pot of rice
with water instead of meat broth to accommodate vegetarians, or dressed a
salad without vinegar or left lemons off chickens for someone who could not
tolerate it.  Even something as simple as serving the meat on a separate
platter from the vegetables.  Those kinds of adjustments I do not consider
making a new meal for someone because it is simply leaving an ingredient out
of the meal in prep.

Yes, if someone has a serious allergy, they do need to worry about
cross-contamination.  I do think cooks can be sensitive to things like that,
and take precautions, especially since most of the worst triggers are easily
recognized and isolated (mushrooms and onions).  This is where it is VERY
critical for cooks to WASH WELL their cutting boards and areas, and the
instruments, between each food they are chopping.  To be on the safe side, I
often chop the trigger foods last.

Not all cooks can accommodate allergies and special food needs, so it's
wiser to ask ahead of time.  Honestly, I have no idea how any of the point
or colour systems work, so don't expect my feast to be scored along those
lines!  I fully support my fellow cooks in refusing to accommodate anybody
who wanders in on the day of the event demanding special treatment for the
meal.

                                        ---= Morgan


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Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.
                        ---= Fran Lebowitz