When People Want To Host A Bridal Shower For You....

[latteda]

Awkward situations coming up. I have friends who want to host bridal showers for me in the next couple of months. What do I tell them about food? I don't want them to try to make gluten-free food, but they're not going to be happy saying that they'll just feed everyone else and not me. I am pretty sensitive and have gotten sick from using mutual spoons/pans that were used in baking something with gluten in them. Any ideas on what I can tell them or what alternatives I can give them?

[lisa25]

My Aunts hosted a bridal shower for me last year. It was brunch themed food. My sister made a gluten free quiche I could eat, I brought a coffee cake (recipe from Carol Fenster's cookbook....very good!), and they had fresh fruit I could eat. Everything else was just for the guests. It worked out alright. They were able to make what they are used to making (gluteny of course)...with me policing my food of course. I made sure they didn't get any crumbs on the gluten free food until I got my plate then I just didn't go back for seconds. I am usually under the weather for about a month when I eat something wrong, so I didn't want to risk it that close to the wedding. I figured it would be better than trying to explain all the rules to cooking gluten free (and dairy and soy free for me).

[jststric]

How about suggesting the name of a local gluten-free bakery? And then bring a few items of your own for yourself? I can't imagine anyone being insulted with that. If they are true friends and love you like I think they do, they will take any suggestions and gently-put information. Please let them know that its really hard to not cross-contaminate unless you are really used to dealing with this and that you want all the guests to feel comfortable with their treats/food and that you can bring a few things for yourself and everyone will be happy. And, of course, you'll want to partake in the cake....so suggest the gluten-free bakery for that. Congratulations!!

[latteda]

My Aunts hosted a bridal shower for me last year. It was brunch themed food. My sister made a gluten free quiche I could eat, I brought a coffee cake (recipe from Carol Fenster's cookbook....very good!), and they had fresh fruit I could eat. Everything else was just for the guests. It worked out alright. They were able to make what they are used to making (gluteny of course)...with me policing my food of course. I made sure they didn't get any crumbs on the gluten free food until I got my plate then I just didn't go back for seconds. I am usually under the weather for about a month when I eat something wrong, so I didn't want to risk it that close to the wedding. I figured it would be better than trying to explain all the rules to cooking gluten free (and dairy and soy free for me).

Fresh fruit is a good idea. I was trying to think of a few simple little items I could suggest that would be gluten-free and would not require any preparation.

Unfortunately, we don't have any gluten-free bakeries around here, so cake is out of the question unless I make it.

[tarnalberry]

What I would say (and will say next April when this comes up for me): "Make the food for everyone else. I will bring my own, no worries." Now is NOT a time to "take a chance for a friend". Now is when you stay healthy for your baby. To me, this isn't negotiable, nor do I care whether or not anyone considers it "reasonable". It's what you do to feel that you can confidently be safe.

[amberlynn]

There are so many gluten-free options... and it is YOUR bridal shower. Perhaps ask them if you can help prepare the food and do it at your home? If everything is gluten-free, then you won't have to spend the day worrying about getting contaminated.

My cousin just had a bridal shower, and I fully expected to not be able to eat, but she had salads (first up, no croutons!!), tons of different dressings (In the bottle), then all the gluten stuff to put on it. So I was able to eat the salad, then she had a big fruit tray at the very end of the table. I'm pretty sensitive and was fine as well. Everything had its own spoon, etc. Though if one more person offered me cake, lol, I was going to freak .