What To Eat At Weekend Conference In New Orleans?

[Linda74]

Hi. I am newly diagnosed celiac (with newly diagnosed egg allergy as well) and am looking for some advice on how to handle an upcoming conference I am going to in New Orleans in March. I will be staying at a hotel ( no fridge in the room) and will have breakfast and lunch at the conference. For breakfast they usually put out muffins and bagels with butter, cc or jelly and for lunch they normally provide a box lunch ( sandwhich etc). All of the food is provided by the hotel. Should I try to call the hotel in advance and see if they could have something ready? Who should I ask for? I live in New York and don't know anyone in New Orleans. Are there any resaurants anyone can recommed for dinner? What should I bring with me? I am new to this and trying to get over the feeling of being embarrased to be 'different' at the meals. I have actually contemplated not going, but it is for work and I know that would be stupid. And advice for me would be appreciated. Thanks, Linda

[tarnalberry]

When I go to meetings on travel for work, I find a hotel that has a fridge (and preferably a small kitchenette) - you can ask if they can provide one if you can't stay elsewhere - and go buy my own groceries. Of course, you can talk to the hotel about the food they're providing as ask they accomodate you, but you may get a limited selection of things, and you still run the risk of cross contamination. I would, at the least, as a backup, bring non-perishable food that you can store in your room with you. (Don't forget plenty of fruits are non-perishable if kept intact, and nuts will provide a good source of fat and some protein.)

[veggf]

Hi Linda,

I'd recommend that you contact either the hotel or the organization/agency that is planning the conference. I went to a conference for work this past spring and I filled out the "special accomadations" form that was in our registration packet (your conference may not have this exact form but they most likely have to have some method for you to voice your needs [it is the same form that a person with a wheelchair would fill out for special accomadations at the conference]). Both the organization planning the event and the hotel contacted me ahead of time to work out my menu and to get the details on cross contamination. The food was good and in general it was similar to what everyone else was eating. The only embarassing thing was when a vegetarian at my table who was not a Celiac threw a fit because she wanted my special meal. Her problem, not mine.

When we ate out at restaurants during the conference, I used the info cards that I had created for restaurant kitchens. Because I am both a vegetarian and a Celiac I didn't always get the largest meal depending on the restaurant so I brought nuts, dried fruit, apples, oranges, and rice crackers. My co-workers were so sweet and had looked into gluten-free foods and all brought treats that I could enjoy too.

Don't be afraid to speak up, but definately do it well ahead of time so the hotel and the conference planners can prepare. Most businesses and organizations see it as an ADA issue and will willingly accomadate you. ( I think it is an ADA issue.)

Best Wishes!