Invited To A Pampered Chef Party

[GlutenFreeManna]

Okay, this is a bit ironic since I just gave advice in another thread about how to go to parties and decline food. However I have been invited to a Pampered Chef party and I'm not sure how to handle it. I have been to one before and everything they had was gluteny. The problem is, I know the woman hosting it, but I don't know the sales rep. I'm also not comfotable eating food prepared by others even if it is something naturally gluten free--I'm sure the item used in demonstration will have been used for gluten stuff in the past. So I'm not going to ask for any gluten free food accomodation. But should I go? I do want some new bakeware (basic things I haven't replaced yet like bread pans and cookie sheets) and it would help my friend get some free things if I go and order some stuff I need anyway. But can I really go and decline every single thing they make in demonstration? I mean I know I CAN, lol, it just seems like it defeats the purpose of the party since I can't eat anything. Should I just look online and tell my friend what I want her to order for me so she gets credit? I'm a little bummed by not going and being social, but I'm also not sure if I can handle sitting through all the demonstrations knowing I can't eat anything and I can't make the recipes later at home. What would you do?

[celiac-mommy]

pick up some yummy takeout, go and have a great time!

[GlutenFreeManna]

pick up some yummy takeout, go and have a great time!

Do you mean to eat at the party or just eat before I get there? I don't want to be too weird, but I guess there's no way around that....

[tictax707]

My vote is to go. The big picture is to get good stuff for you and to help your friend. Who cares if you do have to decline? Since you know the woman hosting it, you can ask her to put you in touch with the sales rep and talk to her about what is being prepared. I went to a pampered chef party earlier this year, fully expecting not to be able to eat anything, and it turns out the main dish was totally naturally gluten (and dairy!) free. Also, the way the party was run, all the attendees are supposed to get in and help prepare things. So I dove right in the middle of everything so I could be sure to keep an eye on it all. Get in touch with the rep to see what can be done, but it sounds like deep down you want to go and you don't want to let this celiac thing stop you. So, good for you! Have fun.

[kareng]

For myself, I wouldn't go. It's a party that's all about food and buying food making equipment. I would order from the catalog if I wanted something. I might come after the food demos to personally order and have a drink. I don't need to torture myself watching and smelling the food I can't eat. A regular party is a bit dIfferent. You can keep away from the food or eat first or bring something.

[GlutenFreeManna]

For myself, I wouldn't go. It's a party that's all about food and buying food making equipment. I would order from the catalog if I wanted something. I might come after the food demos to personally order and have a drink. I don't need to torture myself watching and smelling the food I can't eat. A regular party is a bit dIfferent. You can keep away from the food or eat first or bring something.

Thanks for your honest answer. This is what I am leaning towards. While I know the person hosting it's not like she's my best friend and I might only know one or two other women there. The point of this type of "party" is really the food and sales.

[CarolinaKip]

Thanks for your honest answer. This is what I am leaning towards. While I know the person hosting it's not like she's my best friend and I might only know one or two other women there. The point of this type of "party" is really the food and sales.

Part of me would want to go, but for now I'm still feeling left out. I'm new to this and when I have to bring my food or do without when others are eating I feel left out. My entire grade level plus teachers made mini pizzas Friday at school. I felt so left out as everyone was eating : ( Plus I almost freaked being around so much gluten. I would want to be with everyone at the party, but would feel left out when I couldn't eat what was demo.

[kaki-clam]

I would go!!! First off, I LOVE pampered chef!!! And the parties are sooo much fun..and the product is awesome! Second....people will understand your food allergies and won't make you feel weird for not eating. I would tell the person who invited you to advise the party rep before hand that you are gluten free....by doing so, the party rep won't make a big deal about you not eating. Also, if another guest asks why you are not eating, you can say something like...." sadly I am allergic to wheat and unable to partake in that delicious looking concoction that (insert name) just prepared. "

If this party is during one of your regular meal times, then bring something to eat, if not, you don't have to..sounds like you have some shopping to do, so while others are eating you can get your order ready, be the first one to submit and then you can leave....

Lastly....Pampered Chef does recognize the gluten free diet....the last party I went to was hosted by one of my good friends. She told the party rep that I was gluten free and the party rep made her food gluten free for me!! It was awesome!! Not only was I able to fully participate, but everyone at the party got a little lesson in food allergies as well as finding out that the gluten free diet is not a death sentence for good food!!

[Emilushka]

Make sure the party rep understands what gluten-free is, but then go! Have fun! Bring some food for yourself just in case.

[Reba32]

I would go and just not eat anything. I hardly think if the host is a true friend that s/he would want you to get sick by eating foods you can't have! Go, have a good time, spend some money.

[celiac-mommy]

Do you mean to eat at the party or just eat before I get there? I don't want to be too weird, but I guess there's no way around that....

To take with you to the party. This is what I do for my kids and I whenever there is a party of any kind. I don't expect anyone to cater to us--we all have food issues in our house

[mommida]

I would go to get some of the kitchen gadgets. I love kitchen gadgets! Eating is not the main purpose of these parties it is showing the convenience of the products. Since going gluten free I do so much more cooking and baking at home. I do feel I deserve to have some "convenience tools".

I do like that odd two ended roller thing for spreading out gluten free dough. It is small enough to do the work inside a pie pan. (not that I have mastered gluten free pie.)

[curlyfries]

My concern would be the porous stoneware that she will probably use to cook the food. When I became gluten free I did a lot of searching and couldn't find anything that would convince me that my gluten-used stoneware would be safe.

I ended up getting rid of all my Pampered Chef stoneware because I just couldn't be certain there wouldn't be an issue of cc.

[MelindaLee]

Okay, this is a bit ironic since I just gave advice in another thread about how to go to parties and decline food. However I have been invited to a Pampered Chef party and I'm not sure how to handle it. I have been to one before and everything they had was gluteny. The problem is, I know the woman hosting it, but I don't know the sales rep. I'm also not comfotable eating food prepared by others even if it is something naturally gluten free--I'm sure the item used in demonstration will have been used for gluten stuff in the past. So I'm not going to ask for any gluten free food accomodation. But should I go? I do want some new bakeware (basic things I haven't replaced yet like bread pans and cookie sheets) and it would help my friend get some free things if I go and order some stuff I need anyway. But can I really go and decline every single thing they make in demonstration? I mean I know I CAN, lol, it just seems like it defeats the purpose of the party since I can't eat anything. Should I just look online and tell my friend what I want her to order for me so she gets credit? I'm a little bummed by not going and being social, but I'm also not sure if I can handle sitting through all the demonstrations knowing I can't eat anything and I can't make the recipes later at home. What would you do?

I would go. All the parties I have had and been at, the food is at the end when everyone is pouring over the catelog. No one will really notice if you eat, or not. I have went pre-gluten-free, and not ate anything as I was "trying to be good" on my diet (to lose weight). It really doesnt' seem to be much different to me. OR, you could offer to bring a treat to the party. There is always food that is not prepared as part of the demonstration, bring something that can be shared (and, if you have pampered chef products at home, and can use that in the dish...you can show off a bit of your skill as well )

[MelindaLee]

My concern would be the porous stoneware that she will probably use to cook the food. When I became gluten free I did a lot of searching and couldn't find anything that would convince me that my gluten-used stoneware would be safe.

I ended up getting rid of all my Pampered Chef stoneware because I just couldn't be certain there wouldn't be an issue of cc.

I have continued to use my stoneware, post gluten-free, with no issue. I also an not super sensitive, so consider that in making your choices.