Potential allergy issue at local pub

Ha ha! Thanks Pippa
And thanks for reminding me of Betty's. I used to absolutely love going to the one in York, and I'm not really a fan of eating out.

FannyCornforth

Ok, thank you Pippa
I didn't read it like that.
When you go out to eat do you mention your allergies etc to the waiting staff? Just out of interest, no arguments involved

It depends. If I am only having something I know is innocuous I will just order it - peppermint tea comes to mind.

I go to a few regular places and have whittled down what I can have without having to go through the list of all the things I can't have as it is a pain. Some places trade on providing gluten-free (which means wheat free for me) although I had ordered a burger once in a lovely burger place in Leeds that offered gluten-free. This was in the early days of living with my issues. The owner then asked what I couldn't have generally (it wasn't busy) and I mentioned onions at which point he took off at speed to the kitchen and came back saying they had some pre-prepped mince so we were okay.

In Betty's the head waiter has made suggestions for me and we have a pub nearby that I can ring ahead of time and he will tell me what's going to be on the menu and we sort something out. Elsewhere I have ended up with a piece of grilled chicken! I just have to be sure it isn't buttered. As I said - it's a pain, literally for me but also for those I'm with and the restaurant but I certainly sing the praises of those who are as kind as some of my regular (pre-Covid) haunts.

(I bet you wish you hadn't asked )

JenniferEccles

It must be a nightmare to be in the hospitality industry these days with all these different food fads to cater for.

Obviously a genuine allergy which could be fatal is a different matter altogether but it does seem that every other person nowadays claims to have an allergy to something.

This is the problem for people like me who suffer from anaphylaxis. Many staff in hospitality are bombarded with customers saying they are allergic to foods when it is apparent they just don't like them.
So I have to say all about carrying adrenaline injections in order to be taken seriously rather than order from a menu which has been certified as safe ingredients.
That's why I don't now eat out.

It must be a nightmare to be in the hospitality industry these days with all these different food fads to cater for.

Obviously a genuine allergy which could be fatal is a different matter altogether but it does seem that every other person nowadays claims to have an allergy to something.

I am getting heartily sick of cafes and restaurants adding chilli to just about everything. I had a bowl of vegetable soup on Wednesday which would have been lovely except it was laced with chilli and you totally lost the subtle flavours. I love tom yum soup and often order it and of course I expect it then but not when I get a European style soup.

Ok, thank you Pippa
I didn't read it like that.
When you go out to eat do you mention your allergies etc to the waiting staff? Just out of interest, no arguments involved

Because going out is rotten when you have intolerances and allergies FannyCornforth and putting the needs of the staff ahead of the needs of the customers is weird in the extreme and demeaning to those who do need to know - if only to enjoy their meal.

Of course it's argumentative to put the chef's needs ahead of the customers.

I have never had chilli jam in a bacon and brie sandwich, and would be horrified if that happened, chillis do make me ill. It would never occur to me that they would put chillis in it, so I wouldn't think to ask for one without. Cranberry would be fine, but I would find it unusual if it wasn't listed on the menu, we must go to different eating establishments!

Pippa I don't understand why you believe that Nansnet is being argumentative.
She has only posted once on this thread, and all of her points seem completely reasonable to me.

Oh, and there is the cost each time a dish gets sent back because the chef's choice, not the customers takes precedence. Nansnet It seems you just want to argue you are right and anyone with a different opinion is wrong but I think, whatever your opinion, the business it there to serve in a way that makes money and looking down on the customer, as you seem prepared to do, is not going to do that.

Nansnet

Most chefs, whether in a restaurant, or a pub, put their own little twists and garnishes on dishes. I would think that anyone with an allergy/intolerance to certain ingredients would be very specific when ordering their food. Likewise, anyone with a dislike for certain foods should make it very clear when ordering that they want a plain sandwich, or whatever, with no garnish/sauce, etc. It is the responsibility of the person ordering to make it quite clear what they want, and not expect the waiting staff, or chef, to know your specific preferences. If your food arrives with a sauce that you specifically said you didn't want, then you just simply send it back.

You are worrying about a hypothetical situation where, potentially, a person with an allergy could've eating your bacon & brie, with a sauce they are allergic to ... but you aren't a person with an allergy, and you didn't alert the staff to any intolerance, so there is no problem, is there? You simply didn't like the chilli jam, but I'm assuming you didn't specify that you wanted your sandwich completely plain, with no garnish, did you? Other customers, myself included, who are presented with a completely plain sandwich, with no garnish at all, may think it very boring, and that the chef hadn't made any effort to make his food more appealing. They can't be expected to automatically know everyone's preferences, unless they are told.

Not the responsibility of the staff to ensure people come back to their business. What a strange world you live in Nansnet. I thought they were their to give a service that would do just that.

I think we all have to take our own responsibility for food allergies and I think people often do . My grandson is coeliac and his Mum makes no bones about questioning ingredients and prep area. In one or two restaurants ( before COVID) the chef himself has come out to discuss their needs.

It’s not enough to say ‘ the restaurant should know better’ or ‘ it was listed’, we are all capable of asking the questions and restaurants don’t mind the questions, after all, they want a satisfied not dead customer.

grannyactivist our grandson had the sesame allergy too and all nuts, he gets tested every year. At the grand old age of 8 he’s now only allergic to above ground nuts, épi pens still go everywhere with him.

Totally against the law. There should be a list of all foods and exactly what they contain kept on the premises and a notice advising customers with allergies to ask to see the list. I have. 5 Star Food Rating from the local council and had to do a food hygiene and preparation course which also covers allergies.

Jaffacake2

I suffer from anaphylaxis to wheat,nuts ,wine and prawns and have been resuscitated following collapse. I haven't eaten out for a long time,pre pandemic and may not in the future. In the past I have phoned to see if I can be safely catered for and then on arrival again ask the waiter to talk to the chef to ask if he is happy to cook for me. Many have refused to take the responsibility,which is fine by me.But if they do agree I expect it to be completely safe. Mistakes have happened in the past resulting in collapse and blue lighted to hospital.
People with serious food allergies will triple check everything or will not eat out. Friends and family understand that I may just sit with coffee and a large glass of coke,without lime as allergic to that too !

My sympathy for your allergies it must be very worrying.

When there is a party or going out with friends have you ever taken your own pre prepared food so you can enjoy the socializing safely, I’m sure restaurants would be only too pleased to serve it if you explain the reason.

Most chefs, whether in a restaurant, or a pub, put their own little twists and garnishes on dishes. I would think that anyone with an allergy/intolerance to certain ingredients would be very specific when ordering their food. Likewise, anyone with a dislike for certain foods should make it very clear when ordering that they want a plain sandwich, or whatever, with no garnish/sauce, etc. It is the responsibility of the person ordering to make it quite clear what they want, and not expect the waiting staff, or chef, to know your specific preferences. If your food arrives with a sauce that you specifically said you didn't want, then you just simply send it back.

You are worrying about a hypothetical situation where, potentially, a person with an allergy could've eating your bacon & brie, with a sauce they are allergic to ... but you aren't a person with an allergy, and you didn't alert the staff to any intolerance, so there is no problem, is there? You simply didn't like the chilli jam, but I'm assuming you didn't specify that you wanted your sandwich completely plain, with no garnish, did you? Other customers, myself included, who are presented with a completely plain sandwich, with no garnish at all, may think it very boring, and that the chef hadn't made any effort to make his food more appealing. They can't be expected to automatically know everyone's preferences, unless they are told.

My dd lives with a flatmate who is severely nut-allergic. It’s been a learning curve for us, to say the least! Her friend doesn’t often eat out, she always take her own food with her. She’ll have a drink but not in places that supply almond milk - sadly the trend for non-dairy milks has reduced the number of places she can go.

She’s been nut-allergic all her life so it’s something she’s used to as she’s always done it. She’d have been very specific about her order, that’s for sure.

I have a grandson who has a severe allergy (to sesame) and we are scrupulous about not just checking ingredients, but also informing waiting staff and impressing upon them that anaphylaxis will occur if any foods are contaminated. Our grandson has been policing his own food since he was about four years old, so I think anyone with a genuine allergy would most likely be doing the same.

DD always asks for the allergy list which I believe establishments are obliged to provide.
These days it is getting easier but mistakes still occur so we do have to be vigilent. Also getting staff to understand the relevance of sticking to the script.
I know of a hotel - part of a chain where the chef would spice up his breakfast mushrooms veering away from what was stated on the company list.
I'm happy to have unexpected additions for myself and would say when ordering if I didn't want any deviations. For example, desserts I always ask for no custard, no pouring cream just cream on the side.
Nonogran, I hope you feel able to ask for cranberry sauce next time. I've found staff are usually happy to oblige - after all, it might lead to a tip!

I don't really think every condiment needs to be listed, and people with allergies should make their issue known before ordering.

I'm not fond of mayonnaise (or any sauce containing it) so I will usually ask for 'no sauce' on a sandwich or hamburger. On occasion it has arrived with sauce, and usually I just scrape it off. Very rarely have I sent it back.

I do know a few people that have said they were allergic to something when they only have a dislike. I think this is a bit cheeky, but I guess it ensures they won't get the dreaded cucumber (or whatever).

Jaffacake2 I certainly feel the pressure has been off during the lockdown.

BlueBelle imo it is poor service. If it is not advertised as part of the dish is can easily be served on the side or separately. I am quite happy for you to have a different opinion. I personally just don't want to bite into something to find it contains something I would not, simply because I don't like it, want to eat especially something containing chillies. As far as I'm concerned it's too late once I have that heat in my mouth.

If you have an allergy you should Always tell the staff before you order anything.

I think you are being unreasonable tbh. You don’t have any allergies so making mountains out of molehills.

My experience of eating out is most places check if there are any allergies. Some smaller places may not, in which case it is up to the customer to inform them!

Not sure you are worked up about it? If you simply don’t like chili jam, ketchup, mayonnaise etc just tell them you don’t want it! Simples!!

I wouldn't put my trust in anyone if I had an allergy while eating out.

My son suffers from anaphylaxis and we and he always double check when ordering food.
It is the responsibility of the diner to alert the chef.
When my other son got married many years ago, the hotel went over and above to ensure he was safe, because WE alerted them in advance.
Most establishments have a notice asking diners to inform them of allergies when ordering.