Birthday Parties

[Kibbie]

A friend of mine is having a birthday party at our local ice cream place. So I called to find out which flavors were made first and would be free of gluten. Just as I figured only 2 of them are sweet cream and vanilla.

So I pressed a bit further to find out how they clean their scoops and marble slabs.

They don't clean the scoops they just rinse them off (and then only between orders (so if you wanted a double scoop of cookies and cream and vanilla the scoop would not get rinsed between uses) So there is a HIGH chance of being glutened at this place.

The owner wanted to know why I was asking and I told her about Celiac and why people with it needed to have no gluten in their diet. She then went on to tell me that if I come in and ask they will use a clean scoop and clean off the marble before serving her the ice cream. I told her I appreciated that but it would not work because the vanilla and sweet cream could be contaminated from orders before my daughter and I ever got to her place. I then asked if it would be okay for me to bring some ice cream from home so that she could have ice cream too. She said NO! Only her ice cream could be served in her place!

The woman was RUDE... told me, "Since your daughter is so sensitive to foods it probably would be a good idea to skip all birthday parties held outside of a home." I could not believe it! I'm so angry right now I could spit!

I reminded there that there was a SIMPLE solution to this problem... to designate a VANILLA/Sweet cream only scoop and cleaning solution. That way nothing would be cross contaminated. She just hung up the phone!

*I called my friend and told her that I was considering not coming because I could not bring ice cream for my daughter... fortunately she said, "Well the lady never told me I couldn't bring ice cream for her so I'll bring it! Gotta love good friends!

[jerseyangel]

Picking my chin up off the floor....

I'm so sorry that woman was so rude to you. I sure hope that either her or someone she cares about never has an issue with food or anything else--but it would serve her right.

Why couldn't she agree to wash the utensil and the slab properly and designate a new carton of ice cream? You gave her enough notice--it seems to me she could have cooperated if she wanted to.

Anyway, I'm glad your friend will be bringing some ice cream for your daughter so she'll be able to enjoy the party.

Jeesh

[Guest nini]

was this a local place or a chain? Tell us so we can boycott! LOL!

Coldstone Creamery has a whole list of gluten free ice creams, I've had great experiences there with them cleaning off the slab for us, getting a clean scoop out of the back and even opening a new container if the one in the bin has already been scooped out of, and just being extra careful... we haven't had any issues with them (knock wood) They even let me bring in my Cerrone gluten-free ice cream cones.

I can't believe some people are so thoughtless as to suggest that your child skip all birthday parties held outside a home...

[blueeyedmanda]

My heart went out to you when I heard this, that is awful. Your friend is a great person!

My heart went out to you when I heard this, that is awful. Your friend is a great person!

[Kibbie]

was this a local place or a chain? Tell us so we can boycott! LOL!

Coldstone Creamery has a whole list of gluten free ice creams, I've had great experiences there with them cleaning off the slab for us, getting a clean scoop out of the back and even opening a new container if the one in the bin has already been scooped out of, and just being extra careful... we haven't had any issues with them (knock wood) They even let me bring in my Cerrone gluten-free ice cream cones.

I can't believe some people are so thoughtless as to suggest that your child skip all birthday parties held outside a home...

I'm originally from Tempe Arizona (home of Cold stone) I know how wonderful they are!!! I guess I was spoiled there hu?

This is just a local place (actually just opened this summer) I made a few phone calls today and found that my FAVORITE local place Amy's has an allergy policy posted stating that people with allergies and intolerances SHOULD request a new tub of ice cream be opened and a clean scoop be used!

I really think the lady I talked to was just not willing to listen... I bet at the party she'll listen... maybe I can convince her to use the same policy as the other places!

[kbtoyssni]

Wow, that is awful. Does the owner not realize that one bad customer service incident will cause the loss of a lot of business???? I think it is in a restaurant's best interest to try to accommodate you and if they can't to let you bring your own food. I bring my own food to restaurants all the time. If they told me I wasn't allowed to bring in my own food, I would take my and all my friends' business elsewhere.

I would write a letter explaining how disappointed you are in her response. I hate to use the peanut analogy again, but if you had a peanut allergy I'm sure she would be more accommodating. It's too bad that people don't understand how serious celiac is. Maybe you should include a brochure about cross contamination.

[mom2jpb]

Just remember that those who are rude are usually ignorant.

Good for your friend for bringing ice cream.