Allergic........requests....

[crazychef99]

Working off another post, I realized that food allergies have become "popular".... where were they 10 years ago???
Also, I'm sure we all agree that we don't mind accomidating true allergies, but what are some of the obvious fake encountered.....???

[crazychef99]

Just yesterday...... I have someone request "no eggs" due to an allergy, but they ordered a chicken breast.....? Is they a major physiological difference between the chicken and the egg????

[ash213]

I once had a customer who carried a card with his name, allergies, ( and there was a bunch ) , and a request to not be given any thing on the list. He was actually pretty cool about the whole thing, but some people can be real rude about their own allergies, as if the chef plotted it out before they were born and made sure that they would never be able to eat peanuts!! I have never hade anyone fake it.....although maybe I have and did not know it.

[crazychef99]

By all means, if someone has an allergy, I believe chefs should do all that they can to make they're dining experience work....

[ChefJune]

but what are some of the obvious fake encountered.....???

FAKE allergies???? I think any of us who have food allergies would give a whole lot to NOT have them. You have a lot of nerve presuming that anyone fakes an allergy.

As a child I had none. today I have several. It is very possible to develop them later in life, or to lose them, as well. Many are caused by the environment and by chemicals and additives to food, but whatever they are, they are real.

Some day when YOU have some,I hope somebody alludes that yours are fake!

I'm sorry, but you touched a really raw nerve here.

We are chefs, and our job is to enhance the lives of our customers by providing good food for them -- each of them.

and for the person who wonders about eggs / chicken.... The egg is the concentrated beginning of the chicken. the two are not the same.

[attie]

but what are some of the obvious fake encountered.....???

Work!!!!!!!!!!

Most common for us is peanuts [including oil] dairy products, eggs and gluten. This problem is getting worse and worse. We've had discussions before about this, it is such a complicated problem

[crazychef99]

June... I'm really sorry if I struck a nerve. I didn't mean for this to be an angry forum. I agree with you completely. When we have allergy request I do everything in my power to accomidate them. I really do......... Also, I do have some allergies my self. I can't eat high Iodine seafood. Throat get tight, tough top breath. That why I try my best to accomidate everyone. Please don't be offended by my post. It's just that for every 10 true allergies there seem to be a person who uses it as an excuse... For example, someone who request lemon in replacement of lime, and says they are allergic to limes.....? June, to finish up, again I completely agree with you. In every aspect of my career I try my best to accomidate every guest, every time.....

[crazychef99]

Peanuts are a big issue! I try to educate my self on all my products. I think the purveyors out there need to do a better job of labeling products that are produced in the same areas as peanuts. Such as companied that produce different oils, some of these may come in close contact with peanut oils....

[ChefJune]

Apology accepted, cc...

I can't eat high Iodine seafood. Throat get tight, tough top breath.

sure glad I don't have that one! I so love seafood! but you have to really be careful if it closes your throat. those can really kill you quick! YIKES!!!!!

[crazychef99]

TY June

[Inga]

A friend of mine has an allergy to seafood. He loves seafood. So he eats it and then injects himself with an eppie(sp) shot. If there's a will there's a way.

[ChefJune]

Your friend needs to be more careful and less cavalier about his health. One day that method may stop working.....

[Britcheflee]

Perhaps they are not 'faking' allergies but possibly because they are highly strung, have some kind of 'look at me, Im special' complex or are not sure what they are exactly allergic to there are some people who are difficult to please in a restaurant setting. Maybe its just me but I have noticed that some years ago everyone and their aunt was a vegetarian or a vegan or something and made a great deal about informing everyone around them about their special food requirements....that seemed to fade away when the Atkins diet came along and for a while everyone was into that - I worked at a big expensive country club and it was pathetic to see everyone jump on the band wagon because it was the latest 'in' thing for the trophy wives of rich members to be doing.
I also find it annoying and frustrating and call it the 'moth to a flame' syndrome when there are people who lets say have an allergy to shrimp but always insist on eating some dish which has them in it but 'can you take them out' - 'I am deathly allergic to shrimp, if I even see one Ill die.....can I have the mixed seafood paella with shrimp stock and bay shrimp garnish but can you take out any trace of the shrimp?'....I feel like saying, no madam/sir order a dang steak instead then you dont have any risk of cross contamination in a busy kitchen or the utensils which touched the dish with shrimp touching yours.
Now, there are for sure those who do indeed have allergies, my daughters teacher has a lot and it is quite shocking to see her reaction to things....but if you have deathly allergies to a myriad of food products I think it is unfair for you to come to a restaurant and put your problems on someone elses lap...personally I would not like to dine with someone like that anyway.
Lee

[bjcotton]

That is indeed true Inga. One day the injection might be old and not effective. Some diabetics (I am diabetic) think they can have that piece of chocolate cake if they take extra insulin....doesn't work that way. If they continue this behavior it will catch up with them in the end. A friends X thought she could do this...she's now blind with deteriorating health.

[Inga]

I know June, it's like playing Russian roullette. It drives his wife crazy. I'm allergic to hairdye, I've been at war with the gray for a while, it doesn't stop me. I just let my doctor know I'm going to the salon and he gives me the meds. I found a hairdresser, she's awesome, that preps my scalp and foils in my color. Works pretty good. Sometimes I don't even have to take the meds.