[Sca-cooks] Handling special diet needs at feasts

[Olwen the Odd]

> > You know, at this point I'd be tempted to suggest this person either
> > eat out, or bring his/her own dinner. . . Yes, I know it'd cut down on
> > fun times over the dinner table, but if you're visiting, should you
>really
> > make the cook go to such extraordinary lengths?
>
>Her Royal Highness of the East, who has a variety of allergies and is
>uncomfortable with trying something new at the event (well, going into
>anaphylactic shock does tend to ruin everyone's fun, so I see her point),
>mentioned that she tends to bring her own food and eat that at table. I
>don't see a problem with this, other than the whole onboard/outboard price
>issue which drives people mad. ;)
>
>-- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa

Whenever we get a new Heir to the Throne our guild gets a list of food
likes/dislikes/allergies for them, likewise if we are having visiting
Royalty or other "hats" or special guests.  Since we have at least one
vegetarian (except on Saturdays:~)) in our guild and enough of us have
studied nutrition to one degree or another, we can safely steer clear of any
foodie problems and still give someone a decently balanced meal for the most
part.  Our own Baron does not eat garlic (how anyone can live without it is
beyond most of us) so we either pull some out before we add the garlic or
let him know which ones he should steer clear of, depending on the other
items in that course.

Yes, sometimes we get surprizes.  At 12th Night Chirhart told me about
someone who came to him at the last minute and asked which dishes contained
nuts(I think).  Chirhart told the person he felt the person should not eat
the feast because he could not guarantee cross-contamination (even though
the nuts were in dessert dishes).  Had we known earlier, we could have had a
watch for that.  Yes, a little more work, but not all that much.  Of course,
we have lots of cooks in our kitchen so we have the extra eyes.
Olwen

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