I Lost It At A Luncheon Yesterday!

[Wolicki]

I just need a moment to vent. I went to a very fancy hotel yesterday in Newport Beach for a luncheon. There were about 500 people there. I knew I might just end up with some lettuce, but i was ok with that. They served me a wheat laden plate. I politely explained that I couldn't have gluten. Got the blank stare. The I explained that I am allergic to wheat. Ok he says, I will be back.

30 minutes later the Captain came by and explained that they were preparing a special meal for me. Everyone else was finished with their lunch when mine arrived. On the plate was:

2 florets broccoli

2 florets cauliflower

2 stalks asparagus

one slice zucchini

2 halves baby carrot

I looked at the plate and burst into tears. It's been one of those weeks.

Thanks for listening, I just needed to vent. Please don't remind me to eat before, take snacks, etc. I know that. I was unprepared for the first time in a long time, and it just sucked. Vegetables made me cry, but undergoing invasive medical procedures does not. Go figure

[georgie]

I am so sorry. For a fancy restaurant with a trained commercial chef this is simply unacceptable. I would be writing letters of complaint to the hotel management, the local newspaper and the chef training association in your state.

Chocolate cake time ... and another time take the chocolate cake and eat it ALL - every crumb and do not share it with anyone ! Or a big box of chocolates. Anything that is special to you and will make you happy.

[Jestgar]

Vegetables made me cry, but undergoing invasive medical procedures does not. Go figure

<snort>

I do know what you mean though. Sometimes that one small thing is just one thing more than we can deal with at that moment.

I agree with the cake therapy response.

[TrillumHunter]

For all the times you sucked it up, you earned this one. I hope that this spread was at least artfully arranged.

It's fall. How about a big slice of pumpkin cheesecake and a spiked hot coffee?

[jststric]

wow, not only was that a pathetic plate, I'm sure it was an embarrasing moment for you too. I agree with pp that said for a large, trained staff they need to get a letter of how unsatisfactory that really was. Did they not have a chicken breast in the kitchen or a steak?? Those don't take long to cook. Pathetic. So sorry!

[Wolicki]

Thanks for the sympathy Adding insult to injury, I have some intolerance issues with broccoli and cauliflower, and lunch was $65!

I definitely like the pumpkin cheesecake idea I might just have to try that. As for writing letters, can't do that. Political suicide because of my job, but thanks for the tips. I am usually so good about sucking it up and having a great attitude, just lost it this one time. Worst case is next time, go have a big juicy cheeseburger after! That makes everything just fine. Thanks to all of you for understanding.

[twe0708]

I just need a moment to vent. I went to a very fancy hotel yesterday in Newport Beach for a luncheon. There were about 500 people there. I knew I might just end up with some lettuce, but i was ok with that. They served me a wheat laden plate. I politely explained that I couldn't have gluten. Got the blank stare. The I explained that I am allergic to wheat. Ok he says, I will be back.

30 minutes later the Captain came by and explained that they were preparing a special meal for me. Everyone else was finished with their lunch when mine arrived. On the plate was:

2 florets broccoli

2 florets cauliflower

2 stalks asparagus

one slice zucchini

2 halves baby carrot

I looked at the plate and burst into tears. It's been one of those weeks.

Thanks for listening, I just needed to vent. Please don't remind me to eat before, take snacks, etc. I know that. I was unprepared for the first time in a long time, and it just sucked. Vegetables made me cry, but undergoing invasive medical procedures does not. Go figure

That stinks and Newport is a great area! You should have ordered a baked potato with a ton of butter! I know how you feel! Hope you have a better experience next time!

[lovegrov]

I agree with everybody else that this was an unacceptable response. I mean, how hard is it to bring a salad?

That said, if there were 500 people, the kitchen staff was probably beyond maxed out and with hardly a second to spare. I know, I've been there. Wasn't it possible for you to call ahead? I've never had very good luck with just showing up and hoping for the best, so I avoid it at all costs.

richard

[twe0708]

I just need a moment to vent. I went to a very fancy hotel yesterday in Newport Beach for a luncheon. There were about 500 people there. I knew I might just end up with some lettuce, but i was ok with that. They served me a wheat laden plate. I politely explained that I couldn't have gluten. Got the blank stare. The I explained that I am allergic to wheat. Ok he says, I will be back.

30 minutes later the Captain came by and explained that they were preparing a special meal for me. Everyone else was finished with their lunch when mine arrived. On the plate was:

2 florets broccoli

2 florets cauliflower

2 stalks asparagus

one slice zucchini

2 halves baby carrot

I looked at the plate and burst into tears. It's been one of those weeks.

Thanks for listening, I just needed to vent. Please don't remind me to eat before, take snacks, etc. I know that. I was unprepared for the first time in a long time, and it just sucked. Vegetables made me cry, but undergoing invasive medical procedures does not. Go figure

What's the name of the hotel?

[jerseyangel]

Adding insult to injury, I have some intolerance issues with broccoli and cauliflower, and lunch was $65!

Now doesn't that just beat all!!

Seems they could have rustled up a nice piece of broiled protein and a decent salad in that 30 minutes......anyway, I can relate to sucking it up for so long and then something happens that just makes you lose it for the moment.

Take care

[lovegrov]

$65!!! Yow!!! I spent $30 for lunch at one of New Orleans' best places and I thought THAT was expensive.

richard

[Swimmr]

That really is surprising that they had nothing planned. Out of 500 people I would guess there were at least 70 others who have an intolerance/celiac (unknowingly or knowingly).

I mean I can't knock the cook for trying...but ALL veggies? C'mon. I suppose he did his best...removed all potential contaminates...

I have to say I was quite impressed at one of my husband's best friends wedding reception, that was catered, for nearly 200 people...plus an open bar. Before the dinner had started, I nabbed one of the waitresses and asked if I could speak with a chef or a manager. She asked what was wrong. I simply stated that I am allergic to wheat and gluten. Seems people understand "allergic" rather than "intolerant to." A few minutes later a chef was at my table. He said they will make a special meal for me. They're rice was pre-flavored, the gravies and everything else everyone was eating was not ok.

My plate came out...and needless to say, everyone was jealous. I had a hefty portion of homestyle potatoes, seasoned with pepper and basil, some asparagus, and grilled chicken with a thickened sauce from the drippings of the chicken (thickened by corn starch, noted by the chef who brought it out). My plate had MORE food on it than everyone's AND it tasted SO good. I was pleasantly pleased

[Glamour]

I would send a letter to hotel owner/management and chefs and educate them on gluten free/options/safety. And your disappointment that professionals are not aware.

[cyberprof]

Wolicki, you have my sympathies. My first luncheon after diagnoses I ate nada.

I have those types of big banquets once or twice a month. With 500 guests, the kitchen is on auto-pilot and I've learned to finesse the situation. Here are my survival skills:

1) Call ahead the day before (not earlier, not later) and ask to talk to the catering manager. OR If you can't call ahead, go early to the luncheon/dinner, before you sit down ask a waitstaff person for the "Manager" or "Chef" ...don't just ask anyone.

2) Usually the catering manager will have an answer and will mark your nametag/table # with a symbol. I've never had one not accomodate me.

3) Be alert when they come with your food. Once I was pleasantly surprised to get chicken on a wild rice medley while everyone else had chicken on pearl barley...Great I thought- they get "gluten" not just "wheat". It was really dark in the room. Then I saw a suspiciously-round piece of "rice" that was actually barley. Turned the chicken breast over (half-eaten) and found TONS of barley kernels on the back - they had just scrapped off the barley and added it to a rice plate. Yikes!

4) Some savvy places (Washington Athletic Club in Seattle for one) 99% of meals gluten-free as a matter of policy. They sometimes have to give me a salad with a different dressing. However, they always take away my desert and bring me a yummy fresh fruit plate or a sorbet. People are actually jealous!

5) Don't feel weird about it...there are others that need veggie meals, dairy-free meals, shellfish- or peanut-free meals, etc. Places should accomodate these diets and gluten-free diets as well.

Best of luck to you.

~Laura

[GottaSki]

We all deserve to lose it at one point or another.

Recently we had my in-laws 50th Anniversary Luncheon at a small Italian restaurant. I contacted them in advance - they seemed very helpful - I ordered from their regular lunch menu a simple grilled chicken with apple and walnuts salad for my son and myself - spoke to the owner when we arrived at the party - was assured they had our order - no problem.

So we are all seated and bowls and bowls of beautiful and delicious looking pastas keep coming from the kitchen served family style - my son and I are patient - we keep passing the wonderful smelling items to and fro - 25 minutes later they bring us each a large plate of mixed greens with DRY overcooked chicken. OMGoodness - would it have been so tough to serve us the salad listed on their menu?

I didn't lose it - and was extremely proud of my son for remaining a gentleman.

No promises for the future - one of these times I'm sure to let loose!

[Lynayah]

I just need a moment to vent. I went to a very fancy hotel yesterday in Newport Beach for a luncheon. There were about 500 people there. I knew I might just end up with some lettuce, but i was ok with that. They served me a wheat laden plate. I politely explained that I couldn't have gluten. Got the blank stare. The I explained that I am allergic to wheat. Ok he says, I will be back.

30 minutes later the Captain came by and explained that they were preparing a special meal for me. Everyone else was finished with their lunch when mine arrived. On the plate was:

2 florets broccoli

2 florets cauliflower

2 stalks asparagus

one slice zucchini

2 halves baby carrot

I looked at the plate and burst into tears. It's been one of those weeks.

Thanks for listening, I just needed to vent. Please don't remind me to eat before, take snacks, etc. I know that. I was unprepared for the first time in a long time, and it just sucked. Vegetables made me cry, but undergoing invasive medical procedures does not. Go figure

OMG! I soooooo get what you're talking about!

A few weeks back, I went to a business conference in San Diego. The chef supposedly understood my gluten free needs . . .

At lunch on the second day, they served turkey sandwiches on white bread . . .

When the server came out with my order, she had it on WHOLE WHEAT bread instead.

Like you, I cried, or almost did. I've been following a gluten-free diet for only a couple months. I'm still trying to adjust. I mean, how the heck could I trust that anything they'd bring me after that would be trustworthy?

I became a raving witch with a "B" -- which is not like me. I was with a co-worker on this trip, and I felt quite sorry for her having to listen to my complaints.

It was just a culmination of things at that point.

The night prior I went through gluten-free heck at a restaurant where the manager and chef refused to speak to me (and I was really, really, really nice, I swear!) . . . and the afternoon before that, as I strolled through the restaurants across from the hotel, I went through heck trying to find a restaurant that undersood my needs.

I just gave up.

Thank goodnes, my last night in San Diego, I was lucky enough to go to Ruth Chirs Steak House for dinner. THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING -- a great meal! (And the martini I ordered was excellent, too . . . I needed one after that trip!)

Hang in there -- or should I say: I will, if you will!

Sending a hug,

Lyn

[DownWithGluten]

Vegetables made me cry, but undergoing invasive medical procedures does not. Go figure

This made me laugh too. Perhaps only we sufferers understand it!

And you paid $65 for that crap? I'm sure that's just what everyone paid, but that's ridiculous. If they couldn't give you a sufficient meal, there should have been a refund. Maybe you should call them back and be like "Give me at least $55 back!!"

I lucked out once. Very early where I started working, there was this big dinner/holiday party/reception thing that I had to attend. I let them know ahead of time that I needed it to be gluten free. They said they'd accomodate. When I got there, there were 200+ people at over 20 tables, no assigned seating. So I was frantically trying to grab one of the serving staff, to let them know "I'm the gluten free one!! Look I'm sitting here! Make sure they know where I am so I can get my gluten-free meal!!" Then the food comes out, and mine looks the same as everyone elses. I start to get annoyed when finally someone explained to me that they were ALL gluten free. It was steak, salmon, some ginger soup, and some potatoes. But they had prepared it in a way so that it was all gluten free. I was skeptical but, I didn't get sick. So yeah, I definitely lucked out with that one, that they accommodated so well. If only everyone did that.

And we've all had our moments of random breakdowns due to gluten. I know I have. Sorry that you got the stupid vegetables. :/