Food Restrictions and Feasts

[Michael F. Gunter]

> 	How do you handle getting people with dietary restrictions to notify
> 	you *before* you start buying food?
> 

My attitude is that I try to avoid or at least substitute for the more common 
dietary restrictions (no pork, plenty of food for vegetarians, etc...) but for
the less common problems.  Well, if they tell me I try to make some accommodation
but if not, tough cookies.

> I just cooked an event and had *one* person (out of nearly 150 attendees) who
> told me ahead of time that she had an allergy.  Meanwhile, I know several
> local vegetarians did not tell me, but I made some vegetarian dishes anyway,
> else they would have had nothing to eat as everything had meat products (even
> just broth) in it.  I found this quite frustrating and am seeking advice for
> the future.

I always try to make sure that vegetarians are well taken care of at my feasts, it
is just pre-supposed planning.  Besides, having good edible veggie dishes can make
for a less expensive feast.

> 
> I also had one person attend who could not eat a single dish I made because of
> dietary restrictions.  At least he was prepared to eat off-board, which wasn't
> scheduled and everyone knew that.  If he had let me know ahead of time, I
> could at least have made something special for him for lunch and dinner.  
 
The sign of a caring head cook. :-{)}

> Derdriu
> 
> 

Yers,

Gunthar