There were five instances recently that have made me think that I am expecting too much of others when it comes to eating gluten free.
Number one instance - a side of relish laced with malt vinegar # 1
A recent trip to a cafe in Auckland who had a number of gluten free dishes available, all clearly labelled. The staff seemed to be very aware of what contained gluten so I ordered a gluten free fritatta. It came served with a side of relish. I hesitated at the relish but decided that because the staff seemed to understand gluten free, I decided that the relish must also be gluten free.
The next day I was horribly sick and didn’t come right for a few days. I can only imagine it was malt vinegar that caused it.
Number two instance - a side of relish laced with malt vinegar # 2
A new trendy cafe in Auckland city with gluten free options and staff who seemingly had a good gluten free knowledge. This cafe even make their own gluten free cereal. I was again served a side of relish with my fritatta. This time I thought I would ask if there was any malt vinegar in the relish and yes there was. I nicely let it be known that the relish was not gluten free.
Number three instance - a side of relish laced with malt vinegar # 3
Travelling to Pauanui last weekend, we stopped at a roadside cafe. They had lots of gluten free options, including Marx Bakery chicken pies! I was so excited. And yes, my delicious pie was served with a spicy relish and yes, the owner checked the label and yes, it contained malt vinegar. Once again I nicely informed them that the relish was not gluten free.
Number four instance - a bread roll on my side plate
I went to a wedding last weekend. The bride had informed the venue that there were two Coeliacs attending the reception. I phoned the venue a few days before the wedding just to be sure. They did all the right things. They nodded and said they will let the chef know and the lady asked for my name. At the last wedding I went to, they had asked for my name and when the waiter came round, he had a gluten free menu especially for me.
But at this wedding, when I sat down at my named seat, there was a bread roll on my side plate.
Number five instance - waiter with no gluten free knowledge, despite phoning ahead
When the waiter came round to take my order at the wedding reception, he did not tell me which were the gluten free options. So I asked him and he had absolutely no idea. He looked at me as though this was the last thing he needed (and it probably was) before saying he would check with the chef.
If the wait staff had been informed that there were two Coeliacs and they were told which options were gluten free, it would have been a lot easier for everyone. Particularly the waiter and the busy chef. I wonder if the other Coeliac had the same experience. I wonder if she (or he) expected more.
So these instances above got me thinking. Am I expecting too much? Yes, I think I probably am.
Ensuring that only gluten free food is eaten is my responsibility and no one else’s.
UPDATED
Just in case you are not sure whether malt vinegar is gluten free or not, see this post.
I had *no idea* that relish was something that you’d have to worry about… That in itself is a worry! when I gave up eggs, I began to realise how much of a ninja-ingredient they were, finding their way into some of the most unlikely things!
I understand where your’e coming from and yes, it’s totally up to us to work through our dietary requirements but on the same token… When someone is trained to cook for a living, they should know about these things. I mean… You expect a mechanic to be able to work on all brands of cars, don’t you? Sometimes they’ve got to look up the information, but they should always make the effort to get it right for you, esepcially when you’ve given them a lot of notice.
Are we Gluten Free folk expecting to much of others ? well I say no, not really as if you are in the food industrie selling food you should be catering for all needs. Iv’e had an expereance which I ordered a GF pizza however only to find out that it was only the base that was GF all the toppings were not Gluten free. good on you Hells Pizza 100% out of nothing.
Now add to that, I’m actually a coeliac and tell me, this is even more of a problem as I can’t eat simple things like apples pinapple oinons mallons stone fruit soy sauce , and the list goes on and on. so happy eating my GF and Coeliac firends. yes iv’e even been asked to leave restuarants as the cheif gets sick and tired answering my questions. well to bad.
Thank you Cecil the Coeliac for your comment. I didn’t think we were truly think we were asking to much but I had started to wonder, given recent experiences.
No I do not think you are asking too much, yes it is our responiblity of what we eat. Though it is also the responsiblity of the waiting staff and chefs to know, which products are being served that are gluten free.
Having been in hospital for 2 months, I had a constant struggle with the menus not being as described. The catering assistants being ignorant of the fact the a low protein diet was the same as a gluten free one.
To prove a point in question, I was given the wrong menu with Gluten Free written at the top. So I ordered an Egg Sandwich, what was sent was a Salad Sandwich on White Pan Bread, even the nurse realised this was unsuitable.
More needs to be done to cater for people with special dietry needs. Whether you are in hospital, resturant or hotel, if we all shout loud enough things will change.
You’re definitely not asking too much! If places are going to offer gluten free they should have the decency to understand it. I came across this article about eating out gluten free in Dunedin http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/244439/many-dunedin-eateries-fail-gluten-free-test
I really do think people need to be more educated.
Excellent article. Thank you for sharing.
Not asking too much at all. I think it should now be part of any basic food safety course, it’s not complicated, all they have to do is educate any staff that have anything to do with food about what particular foods or products that gluten could be hidden in. I also think the Council (or someone) should bring in standards, e.g. that it is illegal to label something as Gluten Free and then put something like relish with malt vinegar on the plate.
I would never order a vegetarian dish expecting to get a side serving of something meaty. So why would I expect that if I ordered something gluten free it would come with a side of something gluteny? I don’t think you are expecting too much at all!
Thank you RobynJean. I will keep my expectations as is