My husband and I love to entertain friends by hosting dinner parties in our home. We have become very good at doing this. Our friends rave about our parties and look forward to being invited. I attribute our success to our careful attention to details, such as who we invite, will they enjoy each others company, creating an attractive environment through flowers, candles, and music and of course preparing delicious food that everybody will enjoy. We exert a lot of energy and take time to assure that our guests will be pleased; and so there is nothing more disappointing than having a guest that cannot or will not eat the food that you have worked so hard to prepare for them. Over the years I have learned that it is in everyone’s best interest to ask our guests in advance if there is any food that they are allergic to, or simply prefer not to eat for whatever reasons. This information allows me to plan a menu that will cater to all my guests and insures that no one is disappointed or goes home hungry.
Food allergies must be taken seriously because a food allergy can trigger a response in the body that can be severe and even life threatening. Although people with food intolerances can eat a small amount of the problem item without too much difficulty, there are some people with food allergies severe enough to cause anaphylactic reactions; reactions that can be fatal.
Preparing a menu to accommodate a guest or guests with allergies doesn’t have to be hard. First, ask your guests if there are any foods they are allergic to or cannot tolerate; (have them make a list for you if necessary) and, if you have pets, warn your guests because many people who have food allergies may also have pet allergies. Next you have to make a choice and this is where it can become a challenge. Do you want to prepare a separate meal for the guest with the food allergy or prepare a menu allergy free that everyone can eat?
One of the most common food allergies is gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, oats, rye and barley. Anything made with these foods cannot be eaten and all labels must be carefully reviewed by anyone allergic to gluten. Some of our friends suffer from Celiac disease, a medical condition in which the lining of the small intestines is damaged by gluten. Sometimes I will cook a separate meal for these friends, or provide gluten free substitutes for parts of the meal. Rice, and products made with rice, are a safe alternative. Many health food stores sell gluten free products and there are many gluten free recipes that are readily available in cook books or via the internet.
Other common allergenic foods are seafood, soy, eggs, chocolate, peanuts and strawberries.
Whatever the food item is, it should be avoided; you must either leave it out of the food that you prepare for the allergic guest or leave it out of everyone’s food. You may have to do some research to find a substitute ingredient. Work with your guest, discuss the menu with them and figure out alternatives. In difficult cases, your guest may volunteer to bring his or her own food. If so, don’t feel too bad as I am sure that your guest will enjoy an evening out with good company and gracious hospitality provided by you, the host.