Going to a $25 luncheon & can't eat anything!

[penneyjo]

Please tell me...what would you do? I have to go to a luncheon that costs $25.00 and can't eat anything on the list. It's all that dainty finger sandwich junk that 's full of mayonnaise and vinegar, then of course, chocolate and lemon desserts and fruit tea. Would you say something? It's being catered and I know it would really irritate the caterer (it's about 200 people), plus I hate to make a scene about it, but I don't really want to take a pbj sandwich to eat there or just not eat at all. Please help! What would you do?

[ICNDonna]

For $25 I would notify the caterer and ask for something you can have --- you could simply tell them you have some serious allergies. I don't feel that is dishonest since we do have a very negative reaction to some foods and drinks. A couple of years ago our Lions club had a catered affair with a main dish of spaghetti --- I contacted the caterer and they were glad to oblige with a tomato free dish for me.

Donna

[nineteenwinters]

I think you only have 2 options really. Either you are upset enough to speak to the caterers (or who is making you attend the luncheon) or just break down and bring your own food and/or don't eat there and eat later.

I have SA so I would probably just drink water and eat later. But what a waste of $25.

[earthlady]

I think that is good idea about contacting the caterer. Tell him or her you have a medical condition that prohibits you from eating most of the food on the menu and ask if it's possible to substitute something for you. Won't hurt to ask. I can't see where making a finger sandwich without mayo would be too disrupting to their menu at all.

[kadi]

I generally speak privately to the coordinator of the event, explain that I can't eat anything and ask if I may attend without paying the full amount. Sometimes I take my own food, sometimes I just say that I ate beforehand.

I've not had good success with caterers being careful enough, so I generally don't rely on them. A friend & I carefully went through the menu with a caterer because my friend wanted me to be able to eat at her wedding and I ended up with a horrid 2 day flare anyway, probably because I think the chicken was injected with a sodium solution that likely had more than just salt in it. So even though the chicken was "plain", it wasn't.

My IC is severe and very diet sensitive though, so you might be ok. Depends on your level of risk tolerance I suppose, and how much you have planned for afterwards.

[penneyjo]

Thanks for your responses. This is actually a social event, not work related, etc., but I have avoided several of these events because of not being able to eat the food, and I have to get out and so some things. The other events have been Mexican or Cajun which - there was just no way. Anyway, the caterer is not very approachable, and as you know, this diet doesn't make sense to people. If it were one dish like spaghetti, it would be easier I think, but it is chicken salad, pimento cheese, broccoli salad, fruit cups, etc. so I think she'd just think I was picky or just plain crazy that I couldn't eat any of that. Ugh! I guess I'll eat before and share my plate with the others around me which know of my condition anyway. Just another frustration of IC.... (I never get full on that kind of food anyway.)

[Jessica9379]

As someone who works with caterers quite frequently - let me tell you, your request is SO not unusual and special requests happen all the time!

Absolutely, 1,000%, my vote is to email in your request to the caterer. Find out the name, and find their website. Trust me, they won't even think twice about it.

Plus, if you don't want to get into the whole IC thing - just tell them you have severe acid reflux and can't go near anything remotely acidic - I used to do that.

Enjoy your event!

[bubbe1]

$25.00 luncheon

Hi,
I agree about talking with the caterer, or the person who is planning the event.
Our grand daughter just had her Bat Mitzvah,and several people,(they had 170 guests), asked for special meals, including myself! It was not a problem at all. The caterer was happy to help out.
Laurie

[chey]

I agree about calling ahead, but also I would DEFINITELY eat beforehand. I just wouldn't show up hungry anywhere where I could possibly not have options.

[penneyjo]

Great News!

Because of your suggestions and prompting, I mentioned it to the caterer, and she is doing something different for me - and didn't seem the least bit irritated. The waiters are having pot roast, potatoes, carrots, etc. and she asked if I could have that. I'm so glad, but I hope she doesn't put spices or Worcestershire sauce in it. You never know. Thanks for all the good advice!