LifeWithoutGluten. How would you define a personal gluten free chef?

TB: A Personal Chef, specializing in preparing gluten-free foods or not, provides a chef service for busy families and couples or individuals with special diet needs. I am a personal chef in Austin, Texas and have been one since 2000.

LifeWithoutGluten. How does the service work?

TB: Clients hire me to prepare gluten-free meals for their family. Typically I do 3-4 evening meals for my clients. Some clients also ask that I include a salad and maybe even a lunch item for them to take to work a few days during the week. I prepare entrees with sides and usually a one-dish meal or a soup or stew.

LifeWithoutGluten. How did you become a gluten free chef?

TB: I was already a personal chef when I discovered that I was gluten intolerant. I had been suffering symptoms for years that kept worsening but I did not know what the source was. When I omitted gluten 100% from my diet I immediately improved. I assumed this would mean that I would have to give up my clients since I could no longer taste the food I was preparing for them. Eventually, I realized this was not the case and so I continued on with my clients confident that I’d had enough cooking experience thus far that I didn’t need to really taste everything. Gradually, I found myself replacing the usual ingredients I used for gluten free ingredients. I experimented with this for a while and found myself pretty good at substitutions. I continued to experiment at home as well. As more and more new gluten free products arrived on the market I was quick to “test them”. During this time I began obtaining gluten-free clients and continued to use the opportunity to improve my skills.

LifeWithoutGluten. How is your typical day as a gluten free chef?

TB: I begin each day preparing the menu for that day’s client. I shop at the same gourmet-minded grocery store each day and because I do I receive a 10% discount. By mid-morning I arrive at my client’s home and prepare the food in their kitchen. I package the meals and leave behind the menu and my invoice. The preparation and cooking times vary but I am usually done in 3-4 hours.

LifeWithoutGluten. Do you usually suggest the menus?

TB: Some of my clients make requests but usually I plan and make all of the menu choices. This is the fun part for me! I get to experiment and be creative, within their culinary tastes, and try out new recipes.

LifeWithoutGluten. What are the most popular dishes among your clients?

TB: While my clients love the occasional “extravagant and gourmet” meal…..they really appreciate it when I make comfort food. Especially if they are gluten intolerant — a comforting Beef Stroganoff is welcomed!

LifeWithoutGluten. Do you have special recipes for children, such as cakes and cookies?

TB: I don’t make desserts. My clients hire me to fill their fridge up with healthy items rather than desserts. Plus, even before I was gluten intolerant I was lousy at baking cookies.

LifeWithoutGluten. Do you also prepare special meals for events such as weddings and parties?

TB: Yes, just last weekend I did a cocktail party for 75 all with gluten-free finger foods.

LifeWithoutGluten. In addition to gluten, what other ingredients you are usually asked to exclude from your GF dishes?

TB: Often I need to also find eliminate or find substitutions for dairy and eggs. Peanut allergy is pretty common also and I am often asked to avoid them.

LifeWithoutGluten. Do you also specially in other special diets? Which ones?

TB: I’ve been asked to also prepare meals which are low-salt. I don’t use much salt anyway in my cooking but when someone really needs to adhere to a low-sodium diet it can be challenging.

LifeWithoutGluten. Are the gluten free/allergen free meals usually prepared for the entire family, or just the individual following the GF diet?

TB: Usually for the entire family. Most of the clients who have tried my GF cooking, who are not GF themselves, like the food just as much as if it were not GF!

LifeWithoutGluten. What is the most difficult part of being a gluten free chef?

TB: When companies change the ingredients they use in their products it can be very difficult for me. Sometimes this happens without warning so I need to stay on top of the products I am using at all times.

LifeWithoutGluten. What do you enjoy the most?

TB: I especially like it when I can help someone who is new to eating gluten free. I can see the relief on their face when I show them that it is easier and easier to find good GF products and I give them lots of meal ideas. This is my favorite part!

LifeWithoutGluten. What would be your advice for those struggling to follow the GF diet?

TB: Come live in Austin, Texas! We have the BEST grocery stores in the world…..Whole Foods headquarters, HEB’s Central Market, Sprout’s and Sun Harvest all carry most of the gluten free products available today with new ones coming out each week. It truly is getting easier and easier to enjoy a gluten free lifestyle. Plus, here in Austin, just about every restaurant now has a gluten free menu.

For more information about Trish, do visit her websites:

http://www.glutenfreejourney.com

http://www.chezvousbytrish.comSimilar Posts:

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Many cruise lines offer special gluten free, dairy free or food allergen free meals, as well as many other meals for special diets such as kosher, low salt, vegetarian and diabetic. In some cases, the meals offered are in fact not only safe and appropriate for the diet, but also much better than what is usually available in the passenger’s own home town – such as breakfast with gluten free bread and cereal, typical Italian meals especially prepared for celiacs and cakes and sweets for those with dairy, nut and egg allergies. However, it is important to plan ahead, and make sure you follow some procedures that will ensure a well-deserved rest, such as verifying whether the company you chose offers the required dietary options.

Here we describe a series of steps that can make your cruise trip easier, pleasant and safe for your diet.

1 – Choosing the cruise line

Find a travel agent you can trust. Then be clear about your dietary restriction so he/she can offer you choices of packages that are suitable for your condition. Make sure the agent understands this is a serious health condition. At the time of booking, some companies will ask you to fill in an additional form with a detailed description of your food restriction and suggestions of food products that you would like to have during your trip. Even in those cases where the company does not have a form, be clear about your dietary condition and needs already at the time of booking.

2 – Prevention is the key

Having the information about your date of departure, ship and booth number, contact the cruise company to remind them of your dietary needs. If contacted well in advance, most companies will be able to acquire special products for your diet (such as gluten free, dairy free, allergen free cookies, snacks, bread, sweets, pasta, among others). But notice that the time needed to ensure that suppliers can provide special foods can vary (Royal Caribbean for example require a period of 90 days prior to departure), so the earlier you contact them the better. If possible, ask the cruise line to send you a written confirmation of your dietary request (by email or fax), which you can them print out and take with you on board. In some cases you can also ask them to send you the restaurant menus.

4 – Packing up

•  Ask the company if you are allowed to take food products such as cookies, snacks and any other kind of emergency food on board. If possible, take a medical letter with you certifying your dietary condition so you do not have problems with security.
• If your child has a serious food allergy, remember to take allergy identification bracelets.
  Remember also to take with you any necessary medication that is required (antihistamines and Epi-pen, in case of severe food allergies), and a medical certificate justifying the need for medication. Although almost all companies will have drug and emergency procedures to deal with an allergic reaction on board, it is always good to have them handy with you.

5 – Ports of Arrival

Search in SpecialGourmets whether the cities/ports where the ship will stop have food stores with special products, or restaurants where you can eat. In restaurants, it is possible that waiters do not speak your language. So remember to print out some copies of restaurants cards such as those available in SpecialGourmets.

6 – On board

On your first day onboard, before your first meal, contact the Maitre D’ and discuss your meal options. Ask him to make sure your waiter is aware of your needs and condition. Remember that in many ships meals are prepared on large kitchens, so always ask about how your meal will be prepared and the possibility of cross-contamination.

In those cruises with multiple restaurants, ask whether it is necessary to talk with the chef of all restaurants you intend to go, and how long ahead you need to contact each restaurant so they are able to prepare your special meal. Prefer the first meal times, as you’ll be less likely to run into cross-contamination problems (through table cloths, cutlery, furniture, aprons, etc). Avoid all buffets, as in those cases it is very difficult to prevent cross-contamination.

7 – Activities for the kids

If your children have any dietary restriction or allergy, remember to make the children monitors and staff responsible for the kids’ activities on the ship aware of their condition, ensuring that inappropriate snacks, pastries and cookies are not served (and that they have alternatives to offer).

8 – Enjoy your trip and comment your cruise experience here!

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Many commercial airliners offer gluten free, low lactose and allergen free meals, as well as a wide range of medical, religious and cultural in-flight meal options.

Various airliners now offer – particularly on international and long haul flights – special meals for passengers with dietary restrictions of medical, religious or cultural nature. There are many options depending on the airliner, class and route, including for example: vegetarian and vegan meals, meals for diabetics, low salt, Kosher, low cholesterol, meals for kids and toddlers, Hindu meals, Muslim meals, in some cases meals appropriate for the blind, as well as gluten free, low lactose and meals for those with one or more food allergies.

We have contacted about 50 commercial airliners and summarize below some tips and advices for those who plan to travel by plane with a dietary restriction. Below we also list the policies of these companies regarding the availability and procedures to order a special meal, as well as the link for further information.

Some tips:

• If possible, book your flight by phone. In this way, you will be able to discuss your dietary needs and make specific requests directly when booking;
• Don’t leave it to the last minute to order your special meal. Most companies will not be able to offer it unless you call with at least 24, 48, 72 or even 96 hours before departure (see table below for the time needed to request your meal before departure). If possible, confirm that your meal has been ordered a couple of days before flying and at check-in;
• Always carry some food with you. This is important not only in the case of short distance and domestic flights where meals are not served, but also in the case of unforeseen events such as change of flights by the company or mistakes involving your special meal occur;
• Many companies allow you to board with food. However, avoid anything with liquid content (you might be prevented to board with it by airport security) as well as food items requiring any sort of preparation or heating (the cabin staff may refuse preparing or heating your food up);
• If a connecting flight is operated by a different company contact this company too to make sure your meal has been properly ordered.

If you have a serious food allergy

• Bear in mind that no company can ensure a flight is completely free of a specific allergen, as in most cases there is no control over the food that passengers bring with them on board;
• Many airlines have only a first aid kit in the airplane, and do not have epinephrine injectors or antihistaminic drugs, so take any necessary medications together with you;
• To prevent having your medications/Epi-pen confiscated by airport security, take a letter from your doctor explaining why your prescribed medication and Epi-Pen must be with you in hand-luggage;
• Some airlines can create a ‘buffer zone’ in the airplane (usually the first three seat rows) where the specific food allergen is not served to any passenger. Enquiry about this possibility when booking(some companies can also agree not to serve the allergen at all – e.g., peanuts – during the flight);
• Some airlines also agree to make an announcement (pa) in the airplane asking for passengers to refrain from eating the specific allergen during the flight. Enquiry about this possibility when booking.

We list below over 50 commercial airliners and their respective policies regarding the availability of gluten free and low lactose meals, as well as the minimum time required for ordering the meal and the link for further information. Please note that in some companies (e.g. KLM) the gluten ‘free’ meal is not 100% gluten free and issuitable only for those who are intolerant to gluten, so always ask before booking (Information: Sept/2009 – please bear in mind that policies may change, always confirm when booking).

• GF: Gluten free meal
• LL: Low lactose meal (not appropriate in most cases to those who are highly intolerant or allergic to milk, as it is not free of casein)
• Food Allergies: not informed in the table as you need to consult the airliner before booking regarding the availability of the special meal without the allergen.

*passengers can take food onboard
** passengers can take food onboard, and the company can ask other passengers to refrain from eating the allergen.
*** first number refers to the time required for the preparation of meals for those with food allergies

For more information about the policies of other airlines not shown here and great tips please check the “Avoiding the Milk” website .Similar Posts:

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• Interview with Personal Gluten free Chef Trish Bales
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• Over 1400 places suitable for celiacs in Spain
• Health issues back continued gluten-free growth in the US

Specialgourmets – the first global community-driven restaurant, hotel and shopping guide aimed at making eating out and traveling a safer and easier experience both for people with food allergies and celiac disease – has thousands of suggestions of places with products and special menus with gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free and other allergen free options. In its first months of life, the guide has enjoyed the contribution of celiacs, allergics, their families, associations and professionals from all over the world, who included and suggested hundreds of suitable places in various countries. As a result, Specialgourmets now has nearly 15 thousand places in 29 countries, of which over 1400 in Spain (July 2009). The map on the left shows the distribution of these places in Spain. Due to the high number of places in Barcelona, Catalunya is the Spanish community with the highest percentage of establishments (32%), followed by the community of Madrid (10.7%), Andalucia (10.5%), Aragón (9.4%) and the Valencian community (8.3%). The three cities with the highest number of places with gluten free and allergen free options are Barcelona (see LIST or MAP), Madrid (see LIST or MAP) and Zaragoza (LIST or MAP).

It is estimated that there are at least 450 thousand celiacs in Spain, of which only 40 thousand have been diagnosed.

More information: click here to see the map of Spain with all establishments (the map is interactive, you can click on any of the map markers and clusters, zoom in and out and drag it around).Similar Posts:

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