Are birthday parties for your kids up and coming?
Or is it the parent's anniversary, a graduation, bar/bat mitzvah, the 4th of July picnic/family reunion; you get the idea here. Celebrations in every family or circle of friends just keep coming as the months fly by.
Now, some people truly enjoy planning and executing a successful event. But what happens when you are the host/hostess and you find out one or more of your guests has a known food allergy?
This fact is not a reason to stop, cancel the event and recall all the invitations. It is a reason though for you as the hostess to get a quick education on how to throw a successful event for the food allergic and your usual guests also. So make the day easier, for yourself, and safer, for all your attendees, by following a few simple rules right from the start.
Mention on the invitation itself that you wish any guest with a food restriction should contact you immediately so arrangements can be made to accommodate them also. Most people will be thrilled you even had the courtesy to ask. If you need help devising a menu, use them - they are the expert in their care.
Often, if you are unsure or anxious, go ahead and mention you don't mind if they wish to bring a covered dish or two for their own safety if they seem nervous or anxious also. The two of you need to talk it out together and devise a plan which is effective for you both. Remember though, if you are doing the cooking, keep all the ingredient labels of EVERY single item which goes into any of your recipes for your guest to check them for his/her safety. Most people think of keeping the labels for the main components of a dish but the baking soda, baking powder, worcestershire sauce, bouillon cube, pat of butter, salt or spices and everything else counts too.
Check with them and be sure you understand the rules of cross-contamination. Take safety precautions to confirm their food stays safe. This includes during the cooking process itself and while your guests are serving themselves also. A guest can easily contaminate a food also just by using an unsafe utensil in a safe dish. Many times, it is easiest if the person with an allergy can serve their plate first before the food comes to the table or it is placed on the buffet.
Do not hover over your guest with an allergy the whole evening to confirm their safety. Set up the precautions, follow through on your plans and let the guest take the rest of the responsibility of keeping themselves safe. This way they have a good time at the party and so do you.
Or is it the parent's anniversary, a graduation, bar/bat mitzvah, the 4th of July picnic/family reunion; you get the idea here. Celebrations in every family or circle of friends just keep coming as the months fly by.
Now, some people truly enjoy planning and executing a successful event. But what happens when you are the host/hostess and you find out one or more of your guests has a known food allergy?
This fact is not a reason to stop, cancel the event and recall all the invitations. It is a reason though for you as the hostess to get a quick education on how to throw a successful event for the food allergic and your usual guests also. So make the day easier, for yourself, and safer, for all your attendees, by following a few simple rules right from the start.
Often, if you are unsure or anxious, go ahead and mention you don't mind if they wish to bring a covered dish or two for their own safety if they seem nervous or anxious also. The two of you need to talk it out together and devise a plan which is effective for you both. Remember though, if you are doing the cooking, keep all the ingredient labels of EVERY single item which goes into any of your recipes for your guest to check them for his/her safety. Most people think of keeping the labels for the main components of a dish but the baking soda, baking powder, worcestershire sauce, bouillon cube, pat of butter, salt or spices and everything else counts too.
So, when you are the actual host of the party, with advance preparation and planning, you can reduce the odds of an accident ever happening. In this way, everyone can still have a good time and most people in attendance will never even realize there may have been a problem.
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