Do you feel safe eating out? I know that this is a simple question to the majority of folks but to us special people, it’s not. I’m absolutely appalled at the attitudes of some businesses and eating out is a bit like Russian Roulette. If I get handed the vegan menu one more time... I know the hospitality industry has taken a beating over the past couple of years but so has most other industries but my main concern at the minute is that we (people with food sensitivities, intolerances or dietary preferences) are just too much trouble. The eye rolls, the: "well are you allergic or just choose to be gluten free?" When was the last time a person without allergies was questioned about their choices? I know what you're going to say, that's just silly but it does feel a bit like they're judging you. Gluten free should mean gluten free regardless of being coeliac or just by choice because what I'd really like to know is what the heck is the difference?? If by choice, do they not prepare it in a gluten free environment? Pop into a fryer that has been used for breaded goujons? Just don't take as much care for gf choice than gf for coeliacs? I'd like to know and comment accordingly. So, my allergic friends out there, are there any cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc. that have treated you like a pain in the derriere? Or have treated you with the respect and care that the hospitality industry is famed for? Let me know in the comments below: As a personal chef, my client base is growing but, in my view, for all the wrong reasons! Here is just one of the many client experiences I have encountered over the last 6 months. I had a call from a very good friend of mine, a fellow coeliac, and she asked if I could make her a 3 course menu that could travel. Preferably cold as she was unsure as to whether there was any facilities to heat anything up…ok, of course I can but I was a bit confused…and anyone who knows me will know that really doesn't take much... CK had been invited to a wedding and naturally the wedding venue was approached to see if they could cater for a coeliac. Yes, of course we can. But could they? The wedding date drew nearer and all the excitement of it was starting to build but the venue contacted the bride and said that they would no longer be able to cater for a coeliac as they couldn’t guarantee it would be gluten free. Could they bring a packed lunch? To a wedding...that from the beginning had said that it was not a problem. I’m sure that we’ve all had incidents like this. It’s about managing the allergen and doing a thorough risk assessment and not just sticking blanket allergen information on. So, I delivered the following: Red Onion Marmalade and Goats Cheese Parcel Chicken Chasseur with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Carrot Daisies Madagascan Vanilla Panna Cotta and Berry Compote with Cherry Brandy I do hope CK had a wonderful time and that the microwave didn’t ‘nuke’ the food. The recipes for the set menu will be available to watch very soon on my YouTube Channel: TheCoeliacChef