I am wondering whether the caterers I am talking with do not want to work with us or are just being absent-mindedd, but it has happened three times already with caterers. After talking with them about what we want for our reception and telling them of my allergies to peanuts, nuts, peas, salmon and trout, they propose menus with "trout with snow peas." or "tamarind and peanut chicken" or deserts with cashews or almonds. I know that they are picking from their repetoire and that I won't eat everything at the reception. I am trying not to be too critical, but who wants to see a groom using his epi-pen and rushing to the emergency room on his wedding night? If they are absent-minded now, how well can I trust them not to cross-contaminate the dishes in the frenzy that is catering prep? Am I off base? Should I give them the benefit of the doubt? Anyone else have to deal with food allergies?
I can't have gluten, so I totally relate! Please be VERY CAREFUL. I would try to find another caterer. Or, I would ask the caterers to list every ingredient in your contract. It would suck to ruin your wedding night & your honeymoon.
I would realize that this IS exra hassle & stress for them (if you get sick), so maybe try one more time, from this perspective...
Luckily my reception site..the owner's husband is the same as me, so they are very knowledgable...but I also found a caterer that has a degree in ?nutrition, and I would've trusted her, too. Good luck!
As a memeber of the food service industry myself I am often faced with having to provide nutritional information to many customers. This should be no problem for a caterer to design a menu that fits your needs.
Also being a PA bride we are having chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for our cake!! We put a little note on the invitation asking anyone with food allergies to please let us know ahead of time so we can accomodate them.
I say keep looking and good luck your perfect caterer is out there!
I am like cannotwait and have a gluten allergy. In my immediate family there are allergies to: gluten, dairy, eggs, soya, peanuts, garlic, etc. We ended up choosing a menu that would fit as many people as possible (gluten, egg, dairy and peanut free) and then having special meals made for people with other allergies. Our caterer was very understanding and helpful.
Have you written down and sent your caterer all of your allergies? I think that if you were to have an allergic reaction, they are liable for it. If they continue to be stupid about it and won't cook something that you can it, I'd say go for a different caterer who will look after you!
ohhhhhh, good post. I am allergic to peanuts/nuts and ham although we haven't quite gotten to the cattering/food aspect of planning I was wondering how difficult it was going to be.
I have nut/peanut allergies, and last time I visited my allergist he said to me that I can no longer be thinking or saying "well, I wouldn't want to have to use my epi-pen".
You really need to be thinking "Well, I wouldn't want me or my future husband to DIE on my wedding day." Epi-pens fail. Ambulances can't get there in time. He says this stufff happens, and you don't want to take even the SLIGHTEST risk.
My caterer has been AWESOME about accomidating my food allergies. They should be able to reassure you at any time, and it shouldn't be a "pain" for them. You are talking about life or death, not about a stomach ache. I personally think they can try to improve, but if they are sloppy, they are sloppy, and may be so on your wedding day. Why would you ever risk one of the happiest days of your life trying to keep someone from feeling like you are a pain?
We had given one caterer another shot, letting them revise their menu after a meeting (where they took notes) and they came back a week and a half later with some of the same allergy items. Since it seems to happen repeatedly should I take it as a sign that the caterers are not good enough? I mean my FI and I are a little spooked.
"Please don't poison me."
"Oops, sorry I put chicken with arsenic sauce on the menu."
"Okay, honest mistake, could you try again?"
"Sure how about stricnine souffle with crumbled cyanide?"
So in talking with the latest round of caterers, I am extremely up front and tell them that other caterers have lost the job because they could not handle my allergy needs. I'm just discouraged because the prices to find someone who won't potentially kill me are higher than those who apparently might.
"You see Princess Buttercup, both cups were poisoned. I've spent years building up an immunity to iocaine powder."
thats definitely weird and a bit unnerving. as someone who knows about the severity/gravity of food allergies and its consequences of cross contamination -- it seems like this caterer does not listen to you! its as if they heard you say that you LIKED peanuts and peas and so on. i totally agree with your concern and think that they may could totally mess up your menu. find someone else! its not worth anaphylaxis!
I agree with most of the other replies... I'd find another caterer that listens to you. You're right about the absent-mindedness, too. I wouldn't trust them to come through for you on the big day.
When you talk to future caterers, I would make sure they understand the gravity of the situation, so that will realize it's serious. They might think it's not such a big deal if it's only going to be a stomach ache, etc. Let them know it could be very serious for you if they screw up. Good luck!
I DEFINITELY AGREE with all those who have said FIND A NEW CATERER!!! I have the same kinds of deathly allergies to nuts and a million other things, and my first question to potential caterers was whether they were knowledgable and comfortable with food allergies. I found that about 50% of the companies I contacted (out of 12) were willing and able to work with me (I'm having a completely nut free wedding) and were familliar with the issues of cross contamination, etc. There are companies out there that will be better able to serve your need for an anxiety free meal and wedding!!!
If you're in the Boston/NH area I can recommend some reliable caterers and bakers, feel free to message me.
I live in the Boston Area and am having a Filipino-Irish reception in Arlington. I PM'ed Iron Maiden but if there are any other suggestions that would be very much appreciated.
Have you tried a board for your food allergies to see if someone there can suggest an allergy-friendly local restaurant? I am always finding good info on the gluten free one...(All I did was google peanut allergy forum)
I have a bridesmaid-to-be with Celiac disease so she can have NO gluten at all. I am going to ask them to make her a special plate or have a few things gluten free. Also it is important to get this info on your food allergies IN THE CONTRACT in case there is some discrepancy on this and they do it anyway (put in an allergan) that way they are HELD RESPONSIBLE for their breaking the contract and putting you in harms' way.
Also, I'd have a makeshift (you can print a cute one up in a plastic standup frame from office max) food guide and if there's shellfish or peanuts or gluten in the items served, you can let your guests be aware.
People with food allergies and sensitivities are always asking the questions. Try to be a couteous hostess and give them the info. And if the caterers aren't being responsible and health conscious, choose another asap.
Thanks bellenga, it will be explicitly in the contract, and we have found two caterers so far who are responsive and understanding sbout my allergies. Still it's cold comfort to get an insurance claim from the caterer if they do end up causing anaphylactic shock.
I am wondering whether the caterers I am talking with do not want to work with us or are just being absent-mindedd, but it has happened three times already with caterers. After talking with them about what we want for our reception and telling them of my allergies to peanuts, nuts, peas, salmon and trout, they propose menus with "trout with snow peas." or "tamarind and peanut chicken" or deserts with cashews or almonds. I know that they are picking from their repetoire and that I won't eat everything at the reception. I am trying not to be too critical, but who wants to see a groom using his epi-pen and rushing to the emergency room on his wedding night? If they are absent-minded now, how well can I trust them not to cross-contaminate the dishes in the frenzy that is catering prep? Am I off base? Should I give them the benefit of the doubt? Anyone else have to deal with food allergies?
posted by RyanT Worker bee: 77 posts 2 months agoI can't have gluten, so I totally relate! Please be VERY CAREFUL. I would try to find another caterer. Or, I would ask the caterers to list every ingredient in your contract. It would suck to ruin your wedding night & your honeymoon.
I would realize that this IS exra hassle & stress for them (if you get sick), so maybe try one more time, from this perspective...
Luckily my reception site..the owner's husband is the same as me, so they are very knowledgable...but I also found a caterer that has a degree in ?nutrition, and I would've trusted her, too. Good luck!
posted by cannotwait Busy bee: 501 posts 2 months agooh, and please bring your epipen, anyway! I will be thinking of you & sending you good juju!
posted by cannotwait Busy bee: 501 posts 2 months agoAs a memeber of the food service industry myself I am often faced with having to provide nutritional information to many customers. This should be no problem for a caterer to design a menu that fits your needs.
Also being a PA bride we are having chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for our cake!! We put a little note on the invitation asking anyone with food allergies to please let us know ahead of time so we can accomodate them.
I say keep looking and good luck your perfect caterer is out there!
posted by KatieB Worker bee: 87 posts 2 months agoI am like cannotwait and have a gluten allergy. In my immediate family there are allergies to: gluten, dairy, eggs, soya, peanuts, garlic, etc. We ended up choosing a menu that would fit as many people as possible (gluten, egg, dairy and peanut free) and then having special meals made for people with other allergies. Our caterer was very understanding and helpful.
Have you written down and sent your caterer all of your allergies? I think that if you were to have an allergic reaction, they are liable for it. If they continue to be stupid about it and won't cook something that you can it, I'd say go for a different caterer who will look after you!
posted by missbean Helper bee: 259 posts 2 months agoohhhhhh, good post. I am allergic to peanuts/nuts and ham although we haven't quite gotten to the cattering/food aspect of planning I was wondering how difficult it was going to be.
posted by Luvbug6315 Worker bee: 76 posts 2 months agoDO NOT USE THEM!
I have nut/peanut allergies, and last time I visited my allergist he said to me that I can no longer be thinking or saying "well, I wouldn't want to have to use my epi-pen".
You really need to be thinking "Well, I wouldn't want me or my future husband to DIE on my wedding day." Epi-pens fail. Ambulances can't get there in time. He says this stufff happens, and you don't want to take even the SLIGHTEST risk.
My caterer has been AWESOME about accomidating my food allergies. They should be able to reassure you at any time, and it shouldn't be a "pain" for them. You are talking about life or death, not about a stomach ache. I personally think they can try to improve, but if they are sloppy, they are sloppy, and may be so on your wedding day. Why would you ever risk one of the happiest days of your life trying to keep someone from feeling like you are a pain?
posted by finbladez Worker bee: 75 posts 2 months agoWe had given one caterer another shot, letting them revise their menu after a meeting (where they took notes) and they came back a week and a half later with some of the same allergy items. Since it seems to happen repeatedly should I take it as a sign that the caterers are not good enough? I mean my FI and I are a little spooked.
"Please don't poison me."
"Oops, sorry I put chicken with arsenic sauce on the menu."
"Okay, honest mistake, could you try again?"
"Sure how about stricnine souffle with crumbled cyanide?"
So in talking with the latest round of caterers, I am extremely up front and tell them that other caterers have lost the job because they could not handle my allergy needs. I'm just discouraged because the prices to find someone who won't potentially kill me are higher than those who apparently might.
"You see Princess Buttercup, both cups were poisoned. I've spent years building up an immunity to iocaine powder."
posted by RyanT Worker bee: 77 posts 2 months agothats definitely weird and a bit unnerving. as someone who knows about the severity/gravity of food allergies and its consequences of cross contamination -- it seems like this caterer does not listen to you! its as if they heard you say that you LIKED peanuts and peas and so on. i totally agree with your concern and think that they may could totally mess up your menu. find someone else! its not worth anaphylaxis!
posted by puffykins Worker bee: 86 posts 2 months agoI agree with most of the other replies... I'd find another caterer that listens to you. You're right about the absent-mindedness, too. I wouldn't trust them to come through for you on the big day.
When you talk to future caterers, I would make sure they understand the gravity of the situation, so that will realize it's serious. They might think it's not such a big deal if it's only going to be a stomach ache, etc. Let them know it could be very serious for you if they screw up. Good luck!
posted by JustMe Newbee: 6 posts 2 months agoI DEFINITELY AGREE with all those who have said FIND A NEW CATERER!!! I have the same kinds of deathly allergies to nuts and a million other things, and my first question to potential caterers was whether they were knowledgable and comfortable with food allergies. I found that about 50% of the companies I contacted (out of 12) were willing and able to work with me (I'm having a completely nut free wedding) and were familliar with the issues of cross contamination, etc. There are companies out there that will be better able to serve your need for an anxiety free meal and wedding!!!
If you're in the Boston/NH area I can recommend some reliable caterers and bakers, feel free to message me.
posted by IronMaiden Newbee: 10 posts 2 months agoRyanT, maybe you can let us know where you live and someone could make caterer suggestions?
posted by cannotwait Busy bee: 501 posts 2 months agoI live in the Boston Area and am having a Filipino-Irish reception in Arlington. I PM'ed Iron Maiden but if there are any other suggestions that would be very much appreciated.
posted by RyanT Worker bee: 77 posts 2 months agoHave you tried a board for your food allergies to see if someone there can suggest an allergy-friendly local restaurant? I am always finding good info on the gluten free one...(All I did was google peanut allergy forum)
posted by cannotwait Busy bee: 501 posts 2 months agoI have a bridesmaid-to-be with Celiac disease so she can have NO gluten at all. I am going to ask them to make her a special plate or have a few things gluten free. Also it is important to get this info on your food allergies IN THE CONTRACT in case there is some discrepancy on this and they do it anyway (put in an allergan) that way they are HELD RESPONSIBLE for their breaking the contract and putting you in harms' way.
Also, I'd have a makeshift (you can print a cute one up in a plastic standup frame from office max) food guide and if there's shellfish or peanuts or gluten in the items served, you can let your guests be aware.
People with food allergies and sensitivities are always asking the questions. Try to be a couteous hostess and give them the info. And if the caterers aren't being responsible and health conscious, choose another asap.
posted by bellenga Helper bee: 275 posts 2 months agoThanks bellenga, it will be explicitly in the contract, and we have found two caterers so far who are responsive and understanding sbout my allergies. Still it's cold comfort to get an insurance claim from the caterer if they do end up causing anaphylactic shock.
posted by RyanT Worker bee: 77 posts 2 months ago