<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thank you so much for all of the wonderful advise and insights into the question of how a Celiac child should navigate the myriad of Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. About 20 people responded. Here are the over-riding ideas: Everyone said that the kids food offered was almost always mini pizzas, chicken nuggets, fries, pasta, hamburgers and hot dogs. The adult food was recommended as being more GF friendly. The Oneg Shabbat meals are mostly not GF except for the veggies, fruits, cheese chunks and lox. Gefilte fish is made with matzah meal and most people dip their pita bread in the Hummus. Most suggested asking the host, who will undoubtably be busy with plans, if it would be OK to speak to the caterer and take the responsibility for safe food selection off of their shoulders. One respondee said that she would write her request for caterer information on the back of the RSVP card and ask the host to call her. Many would insist on speaking to the caterer to be sure that they "got-it". Put together a form letter briefly explaining the limitations, forbidden foods and suggestions for safe foods that will work. Be sure to make your child feel as "normal" and a part of the crowd as possible. Go with a safe variation of what the other kids are having when possible. Or a plain chicken breast, salad and a baked potato were mentioned. One child took a small packet of salad dressing in her purse. Other survival items included an energy bar, rice cakes or crackers, bread sticks however, be aware of the places you need to observe Kashrut. Be sure to feed your child a full meal before the events, as there will most likely be hours before food is served either after services or at an evening affair. It was also noted that many of the kids are too absorbed in the dancing and fun to be bothered with eating. For cakes Mr. Ritt's blanks and Just Add Candles, LLC, Heather Skigen (703) 281-6893 [log in to unmask] were recommended. One person mentioned that many passover foods are GF. Giving a copy of a dining card, or distributing a list of menu requests to all of the local caterers was also mentioned. One problem to watch for is that the caterer or server and your child connect at the event and that your child is not left with nothing to eat and not knowing who to ask for their meal. One idea is to speak to them upon dropping off your child at the event or you could ask for a designated server who will be sure to take care of it. I think I got all of it down! Thanks again, for being such a great, warm group of people! Cathy *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List*