Food Allergies, Dietary Needs, ASK QUESTIONS!!

Published on | in 357 Vegan Challenge, Allergy, Dietary Needs, Healthy, Tips By Cooking with Que |

Hi, welcome to my world. I have sarcoidosis, I’m allergic to dairy, yes that means milk, eggs, cheese, etc. Oh yeah and I’m also Vegan. My friends call me #SmallPrint (rude), but it's true!

Imagine going out to dinner with me? LOL!

I’m usually the last person to order, because I take longer, the waiter/waitress usually has to go talk to the chef to double check ingredients, because they NEVER know what is in what. We must go through this process because they don’t want to be the reason someone has to use an epipen on me in their establishment (lol, its not funny.. But it's true, lol).

Being a person with allergies, or dietary restrictions, is not the easiest thing to live with. You can’t just say hey I’m gonna go grab some fast food, for fear of cross contamination plus you never know what all of the ingredients are and so on.

There are 3 things you have to remember.

It’s ok to ask questions
- I don’t feel bad being last to order, or asking questions. I don’t care how many times they have to go back and forth to figure it out, as long as it gets figured out.
- I ask about salad dressing. My questions include - is there egg in your italian dressing? Or feta in your greek? What oil do they cook in? Is the bread buttered with real butter? Think of the small things.

Call Ahead
- If you are going to a restaurant that is new for you, call in advance to make sure that you are accommodated. Most of the time if you let them know that you are coming and you have allergies, they will prepare something special for you

Wedding/Shower/Event
- Ask for the special plate. Most of the time when you order things with no meat or something like that, the plate is discounted for the person who is paying for the event. They won’t be upset about spending less money.

Remember, you have not because you ask not!!! There is nothing wrong with thinking of yourself, to protect yourself. Do not be ashamed or embarrassed of your food allergies, or dietary needs. I’ve got your back!!!!

Til next time, May your Tastebuds be Forever Satisfied

Que 🙂

P.S. Snap a pic of of your special order and tag me @CookingWithQue and use the #CookingWithQue hashtag on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!! I’d love to see what you’re eating!!!!

About Cooking with Que

Quiana "Que" Broden, is the Owner and Head Chef of Cooking with Que, a place where Vegans and Meat Eaters can coexist and The Kitchen, by Cooking with Que, Detroits Only Demonstration Kitchen & Culinary Shared Space. Quiana “Que” Broden, has 16 years of experience in the food service and entertainment industries (as a personal chef and food connoisseur). Que has existing relationships with American Heart Association (AHA), Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), Food Lab Detroit, Charles Wright Museum of African American History, local social and community groups, as well as, ongoing relationships with food distributors, specialty grocers, and elite clientele since the inception of Cooking with Que.

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