Smile all the way through lunch at a seminar
Creative Commons image credit, below
Everyone has to eat, right? Yet, both because the whole celiac/gluten intolerance/sensitivity/allergy thing is still new to many -- even caterers, mind you -- in order to be happy at a conference or seminar, you might just have to be a little bit assertive (some might call it pushy!).
Picture the scene -- I"m sure you've been there. It's the break. You have a half hour to mingle, eat, get the business card of that speaker who is just sidling out the door . . . you know the feeling. And you're hungry; it's only natural. Everyone else is digging into the soft, warm chocolate chip cookies with the gooey chips, and the luscious-looking sub sandwiches provided by the caterer. You look in the paper bag provided and find . . . an apple. Then, it takes another few minutes to peruse the ingredients on the smallish chip package.
Now, how to turn this scenario into a win-win? First, call the event coordinator in advance, and ask for the name of the caterer. Explain the situation. At most conferences or seminars, the price one pays include the price of the lunch or other food. It is your right to be able to eat at least a few things! Sometimes, the event coordinator will be flustered; they do not want to bother the caterer. They might attempt to explain the menu selections to you; but, most likely, they have no clue about the intricacies of gluten -- so you're going to have to talk to the caterer yourself!
Now, the caterer may say something like, "well, we're serving sandwiches and salad, so I'll just set aside some salad without dressing for you." Of course, thinking ahead, you realize that salad without dressing isn't exactly going to fill you up; and, even with the nuts you might bring in in a baggie, a few more food groups are called for! Politely ask as to the fillings of the sandwiches, and request that some be set aside for you. Of course, with any form of meat, you're going to have to confirm that it's gluten free. One can either have them read the label to you, or ask the brand and go to the company's website or call the 800 number.
Yes, it gets this detailed! But, believe me, it's worth it when you can eat, be happy, and enjoy yourself!
Picture the scene -- I"m sure you've been there. It's the break. You have a half hour to mingle, eat, get the business card of that speaker who is just sidling out the door . . . you know the feeling. And you're hungry; it's only natural. Everyone else is digging into the soft, warm chocolate chip cookies with the gooey chips, and the luscious-looking sub sandwiches provided by the caterer. You look in the paper bag provided and find . . . an apple. Then, it takes another few minutes to peruse the ingredients on the smallish chip package.
Now, how to turn this scenario into a win-win? First, call the event coordinator in advance, and ask for the name of the caterer. Explain the situation. At most conferences or seminars, the price one pays include the price of the lunch or other food. It is your right to be able to eat at least a few things! Sometimes, the event coordinator will be flustered; they do not want to bother the caterer. They might attempt to explain the menu selections to you; but, most likely, they have no clue about the intricacies of gluten -- so you're going to have to talk to the caterer yourself!
Now, the caterer may say something like, "well, we're serving sandwiches and salad, so I'll just set aside some salad without dressing for you." Of course, thinking ahead, you realize that salad without dressing isn't exactly going to fill you up; and, even with the nuts you might bring in in a baggie, a few more food groups are called for! Politely ask as to the fillings of the sandwiches, and request that some be set aside for you. Of course, with any form of meat, you're going to have to confirm that it's gluten free. One can either have them read the label to you, or ask the brand and go to the company's website or call the 800 number.
Yes, it gets this detailed! But, believe me, it's worth it when you can eat, be happy, and enjoy yourself!
