Coeliac Question

[BecBennett]

I was at a wedding on the weekend, and I over heard the mother of the bride remind the caterers that there were a couple of coeliacs among their group. The caterer said that it was fine, and easy to deal with, as with coeliacs all they had to do was not add any sauce to the meals.

Now personally I hate that and I don't even have Coeliacs!!

We're planning a Disney Wedding in March next year, and both my dad and one or two other guests are gluten intolerant, the last thing I want to do is serve them plain steak or chicken for the wedding, while everyone else is having a beautiful sumptious meal.

So my question is, what unaltered gluten free meals are there are WDW (as in, they're gluten free without having to do anything to them), and which are your favourites??

Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest looking in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread for the contact numbers and email for WDW Special Dietary Information. They can give you information on items that do not contain gluten and how to get nice sauces without gluten.

For the how it tastes, that’s where other posters will be able to help you. Just keep in mind that what was a ’safe’ food on one trip may not be a ’safe’ food on the next trip because WDW can and does change vendors.

 

[snorris49]

That stinks when they just leave plain meat and plain potatoes for those of us who can't have gluten. Sheesh. It's not that hard. I make food for myself every single day!

My brother is getting married at WDW this October and there are two of us with allergies/intolerances in the party. (I'm gluten intolerant and allergic to dairy--milk, not eggs) They are making sure that the bakery offers a GF/CF option for dessert for me (beyond pre-made brownies). In addition, they are not having a reception per se, but are having a group dinner at Kona Cafe (they are getting married at Sunset Pointe at the Poly) and making a notation of the restrictions ahead of time. I've eaten breakfast at Kona and they are pretty good at handling the food allergies. So, I'm pretty comfortable with eating there. (actually any place at WDW is bar none much more accommodating that any other non-Disney restaurant...well for the most part, I have some exceptions!)

My favorite entree that didn't need modification was the Swahili Curry Shrimp at Jiko. Amazing! Gluten and dairy free! And so flavorful! I have found that Jiko and Boma and other ethnic foods are more often naturally gluten free. I loved the Sea Bass at California Grill, but they used GF soy sauce as a modification. To die for!

Good luck on your wedding plans!

If any place can offer a flavorful, sumptuous meal that's safe, it's WDW!

 

[ssawka]

One thing that you have to remember is that a wedding/banquet is very different than a restaurant. At a restaurant, for the most part, meals are prepared when you order them and the kitchen is not as swamped with trying to get all meals out at the same time. Now I'm not that familiar with Disney Catering, but I can tell you from experience as a banquet server, accommodating individuals at a banquet is very difficult since meals are often prepared ahead of time and everyone needs to be served at the same time. That's not to say that they shouldn't try to accommodate, but they may not be able to do so adequately.

I understand how difficult it is for the person with Celiac. DD8 was diagnosed last year and she is still learning that there are just some things she cannot eat. We have taken the philosophy that she "has to learn" and that we should not deny ourself to accommodate her. Now we won't eat baked goods in front of her without providing her an alternative, but she just needs to learn that the alternatives may not always be as good as the "regular" option. What I'm trying to say is try to accommodate your guests with Celiac, but don't change your whole menu to do so.

 

[clanmcculloch]

We went to a catered Bat Mitzvah a couple years ago. At the time, DD12 couldn't have gluten, milk, yeast, citrus or MSG. DD9 couldn't have milk or citrus. My aunt (mom of the Bat Mitzvah girl) notified the caterer and sent them a copy of my email. The caterer had special plates made for my girls. Their meals were very flavourful and fun though they were nothing like what everybody else was eating (they didn't seem to care since they were enjoying their meals as well as having fun at the party). It is possible for caterers to do more than just leave off the sauce.

 

[BecBennett]

Thanks for your replies everyone. It's really helpful

We're thinking about having the surf and turf for our main meal - beef filet and lobster tail - has anyone had anything similar at WDW made gluten free?

I don't mind everyone eating GF if it's not that much of a change from how it would usually be prepared. If it means everyone gets plain lobster and plain steak, then the GF people will get special meals, different to what everyone else is eating.

I just don't want any of my guests to feel like I've given them a "that will do" type meal, as they will have travelled a stupidly long way just to be at my wedding.

 

[snorris49]

I think Surf and Turf is an easy GF meal. You'd be amazed at how many spices and sauces are safe GF. I think that's why I enjoy so many of the ethnic flavors (like Jiko) because they are so flavorful and tasty. If someone gave me a steak and lobster (even just lobster with clarified butter) I'd be a happy camper!

I'm sure WDW catering will be able to direct you and offer advice.

I can say as someone who lives with food allergies and intolerances, I think you are doing a great thing by trying to make sure that your guests have an enjoyable and safe meal. I realize that sometimes options that are GF aren't as elaborate or maybe "tasty" as those with Gluten in it, but it's so nice when your friends and loved ones make the effort to make sure you are taken care of Kudos to you!

Let us know what you come up with

 

[Nina1]

Now we won't eat baked goods in front of her without providing her an alternative, but she just needs to learn that the alternatives may not always be as good as the "regular" option. What I'm trying to say is try to accommodate your guests with Celiac, but don't change your whole menu to do so.

Respectfully, as someone who has recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease, I found your comment above to be quite offensive - specifically your comment about "regular" food. Fortunately, as you know with your daughter, Celiac can be controlled through diet. However, that does not make a person with Celiac any less "regular" than someone without, nor does it mean we have to be made to feel we must eat foods that do not taste good simply because of our disease. All it means, as with any person who has to watch their diet due to health reasons, is that we do not eat certain things. But, there are unlimited tasty and healthy foods we can eat. And understanding and compassion of those who love us, especially in the learning stages of this way of eating, is something that nobody should have to do without.

To the OP, while you shouldn't "change your whole menu," you should certainly make every attempt to ensure your Celiac guest(s) have an enjoyable meal. This is definitely doable. I had 250 people at my wedding 8 years ago. About 15 of those had various allergies - shellfish, milk, Celiac etc. I worked closely with my venue to ensure these guests had delicious and "safe" meals. I also gave the wedding planner at my venue a detailed floor plan showing the table location of each of those guests and what their meal was. We had a discreet stamp put on each of those guest's place cards so the servers knew for sure that the right meals were being given to the right guest. Those guests were served in the same manner as other guests, without calling attention to the fact that they were receiving a "special" meal. And, it went off without a hitch.

Happy planning, best of luck and congratulations to you for having the compassion to consider the needs of others.

 

[ssawka]

Respectfully, as someone who has recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease, I found your comment above to be quite offensive - specifically your comment about "regular" food. Fortunately, as you know with your daughter, Celiac can be controlled through diet. However, that does not make a person with Celiac any less "regular" than someone without, nor does it mean we have to be made to feel we must eat foods that do not taste good simply because of our disease. All it means, as with any person who has to watch their diet due to health reasons, is that we do not eat certain things. But, there are unlimited tasty and healthy foods we can eat. And understanding and compassion of those who love us, especially in the learning stages of this way of eating, is something that nobody should have to do without.

To the OP, while you shouldn't "change your whole menu," you should certainly make every attempt to ensure your Celiac guest(s) have an enjoyable meal. This is definitely doable. I had 250 people at my wedding 8 years ago. About 15 of those had various allergies - shellfish, milk, Celiac etc. I worked closely with my venue to ensure these guests had delicious and "safe" meals. I also gave the wedding planner at my venue a detailed floor plan showing the table location of each of those guests and what their meal was. We had a discreet stamp put on each of those guest's place cards so the servers knew for sure that the right meals were being given to the right guest. Those guests were served in the same manner as other guests, without calling attention to the fact that they were receiving a "special" meal. And, it went off without a hitch.

Happy planning, best of luck and congratulations to you for having the compassion to consider the needs of others.

I apologize, my intention was not to offend. If you look at my posting closely, the word regular is in quotes indicating a bit of sarcasm because I also feel that there is no "regular" or "irregular" food. It was intended to make it easier to understand for someone that may not be familiar with Celiac disease. I understand how difficult it is for someone with Celiac, and perhaps I made light of the issue, but DD also has Down syndrome, so in comparison I do not see Celiac disease as a major issue. I equate it more to an allergy, even though I know it technically is not.