Building A Restaurant Info Packet

[Emme999]

Hello there

I am going to a benefit dinner on Sunday night at one of the fine restaurants here in SLC and since the ticket was $100+/plate, I wanted to make sure that there would be something that I could eat! So, I went in today to talk to the manager and tried to give him a mini-lesson in gluten-free dining. I took the lists (from celiac.com) of the safe foods/ingredients and the forbidden foods/ingredients. The manager (Larry Pontarelli at Tuscany Italian restuarant, in case anyone in interested in SLC!) was extremely kind and helpful. Because there is a special menu planned for the dinner, he went over it with me and we figured out what I can or cannot have - he even checked out the ingredients in the sauces for me!

Anyway, I was thinking that I would like to do this at more restaurants - and try to provide a greater variety for the local celiacs Does anyone have any suggestions of how I could do this so that it would be effective & safe for celiacs? Like I said, I gave him the lists - and asked that he review them with his chefs and possibly consider providing a printed list of safe foods or even a menu for those with gluten intolerance. But, how could I impress upon him (and other restaurant managers) the importance of using clean cooking utensils & such without making them so worried about legal implications that they would not even want to go there?

Shortly after I told him about celiac disease and suggested he implement a menu, he asked what legal ramifications he might face if something slipped through that had gluten in it. I told him that if he was very thorough (with the lists) that the food should be safe - *but* if something did slip through, there's no way that a customer could "prove" that the contamination came from his restaurant and he would be safe. That seemed to satisfy him and he continued to show interest in implementing a safe menu. Was that the right thing for me to say?

If anyone could help me out - with suggestions of what information I should provide to restaurants and perhaps ideas of how to deal with "legal" questions (while keeping the place as safe as possible for other celiacs without letting the chefs think they can slack) - please let me know.

Once I put a packet together I will post it for everyone to use - so that maybe we could make America more aware. I will definitely include a cover letter listing the potential benefits of a gluten-free menu (including free advertising -via reviews- on Gluten Intolerance Group websites and the likelihood that the population of those with celiac disease will increase due to more available testing and education of doctors - with there being 53 undiagnosed celiacs currently for every one who has been diagnosed - according to my doctor).

When I left the restaurant, I thanked the manager for his time & concern. He replied, "Thank you for educating us!" That was just enough to make me realize that I should start educating other restaurants too!

Please help

Thanks!

- Michelle

[jenvan]

That's cool Michelle. I give you props for being so proactive, its great! I wrote 4 letters this week to restaurants re: gluten free dining. We'll see if I get any responses...