<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Hi everyone,

I'd like to share an experience I had regarding a Parent's Day luncheon at my
son's medical school that could have been a disaster but thankfully was not
because of a very kind cook.

I originally had called the woman who organized the event and she assured me
that she had ordered a vegetable soup to be added to the pasta bar so I would
have something to eat.  Well, my son kept asking me if I had called the cook.
I said no but maybe I'd better check on the soup to make sure it didn't have
bouillon or caramel color used as a base.  I called the cook the morning of
the luncheon and discovered that the soup base contained corn and wheat
gluten.  I also discovered that the salad would contain croutons.  I told her
I couldn't eat either one so she made some suggestions as to what I could
have.  She finally said she could make me a grilled chicken breast with only
the juice from the fruit as a marinade and it would be served on a fruit
plate.  She also would have a salad available without croutons.  I told her
this was great and how much I appreciated her effort.

When I got to the luncheon I made sure I found this wonderful cook and told
her who I was.  She had made the most beautiful fruit plate for me and also
had my plain salad all ready.  It was certainly worth the effort to call
before I attended this event because if I hadn't, there would have been
nothing I could eat.  In addition to the pasta bar and salad with croutons,
the dessert was bar cookies.

I've posted my experience because I think too often we don't want to cause any
trouble and as a result, we decide not to attend functions, or we suffer in
silence when there is nothing to eat.  I've decided to be very assertive in
the future (in a very polite way of course) whenever I'm faced with one of
these catered events.  Generally it's best to speak to the cook as this way
they can make suggestions and you can question everything first hand.   Also,
since no one knows what a gluten free diet is, it's best to explain in very
simple terms such as I can't have bread or cookies or anything with wheat in
it.  If there is a soup or marinated meat ask what the label says.  Also, make
sure to show your appreciation for all the extra trouble involved.  I will be
sending a written thank you to the school as well to let them know what a
wonderful cook they have.

I will be attending a workshop that will be providing a boxed lunch in a few
weeks and you'll be sure I'll be on the phone again making sure there's
something I can eat.

I'm hoping my story can help others avoid being surprised and disappointed the
next time they attend a catered event.  Nothing can be taken for granted.

Thanks for listening,

Barb from NE Ohio