Invited To A Dinner Party...what Do I Tell Them?

[kochac]

I've just been invited to dinner at a professor's house and I want to go. They're from Spain so I feel like most of what they cook should be naturally gluten-free, based around potatoes, rice, and corn. However, I feel like I should give them advance warning about my celiac just to be on the safe side, but I'm not sure exactly how much detail to go into. Here's what I have so far: (this is going to be an email response to the email invitation)

"I'm happy to accept your invitation. I should let you know that I have an autoimmune disorder called celiac disease, which amounts to an allergy to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, oats, and rye, and products made from them (less obvious ones include soy sauce and beer). Generally I don't have many problems with Spanish food because I can eat potatoes, corn, and rice with no problem whatsoever, and certainly I don't need to eat everything that you serve, so feel free to still have things like bread and crackers. I just wanted to let you know in advance so that if I ask what something is made from, it doesn't come as surprise.

Thanks and please feel free to ask me any questions you may have about what I can or can't eat. See you on Friday!"

Is this too much info? Not enough? what do you do in situations like this?

Thanks!

[Treen Bean]

When it comes to your health, you can never give to much info! Well, I take that back... but in your case, your response is perfect. It opens the door for a good dialogue. I hope you have fun!

[ShayFL]

I think it is great! But take a dish of your own (with enough to share) just in case. Trust me on this one.

[*lee-lee*]

definitly a conversation worth having. i would not want to show up at a dinner party and not know if i could eat anything!

i'd probably be inclined to keep it short and sweet unless they inquire about details. i would probably say that i have food allergies, i can't have gluten (which is wheat, barley and rye) and then ask what's on the menu.

there's something about the line "...and certainly I don't need to eat everything that you serve, so feel free to still have things like bread and crackers" that makes me cringe a little bit. as a guest in their house, i'm not sure it's quite appropriate to tell them what they can and can't serve. i might say this to my mom but not anyone i'm not super close with. (don't get me wrong, i understand where you're going with the statement...maybe you can say that you have to avoid eating things like bread and crackers.)

if it's possible, can you havev this conversation face to face rather than via email? you might get a better feel for the food being served and the host will probably get a better understand as to what your limitations are.

[MaryJones2]

I personally would not ask a hostess to make any exceptions in this case. It's a lot of pressure to put on someone who doesn't understand how to prepare gluten-free food. I would call her and politely let her know that you have food issues (allergies, intolerances, or however you are comfortable wording it) and that you would prefer to bring your own food. I would then ask what's on the menu and prepare something similar. If it's a multi-course meal then you can provide your own salad, soup, etc. and plate it on her dishes when you get there. Then everyone can enjoy the party and most likely none of the other guests will even notice.

[WW340]

I personally would not ask a hostess to make any exceptions in this case. It's a lot of pressure to put on someone who doesn't understand how to prepare gluten-free food. I would call her and politely let her know that you have food issues (allergies, intolerances, or however you are comfortable wording it) and that you would prefer to bring your own food. I would then ask what's on the menu and prepare something similar. If it's a multi-course meal then you can provide your own salad, soup, etc. and plate it on her dishes when you get there. Then everyone can enjoy the party and most likely none of the other guests will even notice.

I totally agree with this approach. I always try to keep my food restrictions as my problem, not the host's or hostess's problem. Even if they wanted to try to accomodate your food restrictions, it gets so involved with the type of cooking utensils, pans etc, that you still are taking an extreme risk. I have had friends insist on cooking for me with the best intentions, but somewhere along the line end up with cross contamination. Then I am sick, and they feel bad. It is much easier for everyone involved for you to bring your own food.

[kochac]

Thanks everyone! I made a few changes to my draft and sent it off, and already got a response back saying no problem, she has a celiac in her family and also one of her son's friends is one. Isn't wonderful how we're taking over the world?? I'll still be careful of course, but I'm feeling pretty confident now that everything will work out.

[ShayFL]

Isnt it amazing that this "rare" disease isnt so rare after all? When I told my BFF she said her sister is Celiac. Seems whenever I tell someone, they always know someone else who has it.