eating out - gluten free

[Gabes-Apg]

a really good article about the trials and tribulations of eating out with multiple intolerances

it was in the entertainment pages of one of the leading papers here in australia

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/ ... -yrma.html

interestingly one comment made in this article

But dietitian and Coeliac Research Fund board member Karen Inge says quality assurance in restaurants remains a big issue. ‘‘I’m concerned about the level of chef training, knowledge and their awareness of the complexities of some of these food disorders,’’ she says.

I suppose it is one thing for a place to advertise gluten free meal options but if the wait staff and the chefs do not understand about contimination and the importance of the integrity of the dish (ie ensuring they do keep the dish 100% gluten free)



I ate out at a restaurant last night night in a regional town 2 hours from where i live, i found it on the net before we went and i knew they had wide range of GF meals (entrees, snacks, main meals and a desert) they also have in large letters at the bottom of the menu please discuss fodo intolerances when ordering

it was refreshing after my challenges in france to have wait staff understood what gluten free meant assuring me that the red wine jus is gluten free and it would be provided with my meal in lieu of sauce, their order system catered really well for making appropriate notations re special ordering (ie do not use dairy) to get the message to the chef (no need for my eat out card here)
i commented on their professionalism towards the gluten free and multiple intollerances with their meals, she said all staff are briefed on what is gluten free and what isnt for every component of every dish ie their chips are not gluten free

it was a treat to eat out without stressing what possible contaminants could be in my meal.

[starfire]

Sounds like a wonderful dinner out!! Wish it were closer to home for you but fortunate to have it all I suppose.

Glad you had a good time.

Love, Shirley

[tex]

Thanks for the link.

Tex

[Bifcus16]

I also had some good experiences at eating out recently. Had a short holiday at the little town of Forster.

A local Thai, the Hogs Breath cafe, and a Mexican place all had staff who knew what gluten free meant. Three great meals, no reactions.


On the other hand, I always remember a friend who worked as a kitchen hand in a cafe that had gluten free bread. Until I spoke to her, they cut the bread on the same board and with the same knife that they used for the normal bread. Myself and a celiac friend put them right. You got to worry about how many places are like that.

Lyn

[tex]

You got to worry about how many places are like that.

That's for sure, because that's the default procedure - that's exactly what's going to happen, unless someone has given them specific instructions beforehand.

Tex

[Joefnh]

Gabes that's an excellent article. It seems at least in your area that food intolerances are being addressed somewhat better than at least the northeast part of the US.


--Joe