Question about chefs coming out to discuss nut allergy.

[CampbellScot]

I am asking b/c my step daughter (she is 13) JUST found out about a nut allergy. (She has never ever had a problem with any foods, and just out of the blue she ate a brownie with walnuts and peanuts in it and she ended up in the hospital hooked up to an IV and had to have two nebulizer treatments, a shot of adrenaline and five days of prednisone!) After allergy testing we found out that she has to ingest the allergen directly to cause a reaction so "trace amounts" or contact with nut oils etc will not cause a problem. That being said, her school made a HUGE deal and said she had to eat at the "nut allergy" table in the cafeteria etc. This was devastating for a 7th grade girl who is president of the student council and very social. Being isolated was more than she could take. Thankfully we worked that out so she can still be with her friends. (The school actually made a school wide change and got rid of the nut allergy table!) Unfortunately that experience caused her to be very sensitive about being called out for her allergy. As she started stating with vehemence "It's PRIVATE". I will of course note the nut allergy on our ADR's but I know that if the chef comes out and "walks her through" what she can and can't eat (which is wonderful but would be mortifying for her) she will shut down. I want her to have a wonderful time and not worry.

My question is: Can I maybe call the restaurant directly and speak to someone myself about her allergy and the particulars of how her food will be prepared and what she can and can't eat etc and let them know not to send the chef out? That way her dad and I can go through it with her beforehand, give her all the information and avoid her shutting down and feeling embarrassed. We are insisting that she take control of this and read labels herself and advocate for herself and ask friends parents questions about what is in food etc., but she has always been shy around strangers and a stranger asking her in depth about something she is already sensitive about will be a lot for her to take. She is ready for Disney though. She has already asked me about our ADR's. (we are going in August!)

Bottom line, at Disney I just want her to have fun and not worry or feel different and I will do whatever I have to do keep the magic alive.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I can 100% understand your concern. But let me say, Disney is phenonmenal with food allergies! My DD12 has anaphylactic reactions to tree nuts, coconut and shellfish. Yet we eat at Disney without any problem. It's amazing the lengths Disney goes to in order to prepare safe food.

For instance, last January we ate dinner at Ohana. The chef came out right away and treated us like the most important table of her night! We got to chatting for a bit and she said that they take food allergies very, very seriously. Her one job is to go from allergy table to allergy table. She said that she takes it very seriously because she knows that people are putting their trust in her. She further went on to state that there are completely allergen free areas of the kitchen that they keep scrupulously clean. I was so impressed. We ended up eating dinner here twice in the same trip!

All of that to say, I think your DD will be just fine. I highly doubt though that they'll not send the chef out, it's pretty much standard protocol. It's really not a big deal, it didn't bother my DD12 at all and in fact, made her feel really comfortable about her food. Just explain that this is the way Disney handles it. It's not embarrassing and they don't make a big production over it. The chefs are really nice and they just want to be sure your meal is safe.

It's very smart of you to be insistent that she read labels for herself. We taught DD12 to do that, even though at first she was a bit embarrassed. Now it's like second nature to her...she always reads for herself and asks questions about food that anyone tries to give her. Your DD will get the hang of it, it's just one of those things in life that you have to adjust to. Good luck!

 

[deegack]

I think the chef is going to have to come talk to you, so you should prepare her. First, it's a legal issue. Disney needs to protect itself by being proactive and making sure they understand the allergy. Second, they want to protect your step daughter. If having to talk about her allergy will take away the magic imagine how that magic will be ruined by a trip to the ER if she accidentally eats the wrong thing.
Food allergy stink and the way the school handles it stinks but if it's a matter of life or death then I would rather error on the cautious side as I'm sure you would.

Ps don't forget when you do cs meals you should tell them about the allergy.

 

[nfceagles]

I do not think there is a way to make such arrangements ahead of time, nor do I think Disney as a whole would agree to such arrangements even if you could track down the right people. I think your best options are the following:

1) When the waitress or hostess seats you and mentions that she'll have the chef come out, you could say to him/her, "I don't think that's necessary. Could you just double check that we aren't missing any nuts in this dish." I don't know how frequently this will work though.

2)The better option in my opinion is to take over the conversation with the chef when he/she arrives. They're usually looking to the parent for approval anyways. Just step in and take over the conversation saying something like, "She was thinking of having this and this. We don't avoid things at risk for cross-contamination, so we just need to make sure they don't contain any obvious sources of nuts." That's largely how it works for my 6 yr old and I expect I'll continue to be closely involved even as he gets older.

All that said, I think what you are looking for is VERY dangerous. It is critical that she learn how to eat out and more importantly that there is NO SHAME in asking questions. She's a teenager (the most dangerous years for someone with a FA). In a few short years she'll be going out with friends and on dates. She needs to know that it is OK and IMPERITAVE that she ask about what she's eating. You don't want her feeling uncomfortable asking questions, because that's when teenagers make assumptions and take chances.

I get that this has been REALLY hard on her. I really, really do. I can't think of a tougher age for this to come up either. I know you are just trying to make this a special vacation for her. I appreciate that. But I think it's wrong to condone her desire to avoid the chef. There isn't a better place to learn how to dine with allergies than Disney. Chefs are super nice and willing to help. They don't make you feel like a pest. Since she's 13 and new to this I do think it's ok to do most of the talking for her so she can see an example of what to ask while still making sure she understands that you aren't embarrassed by her allergy.

Sorry if this sounds harsh. It's only because I care. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[CampbellScot]

I appreciate all the responses. Although i will say that I would never put my step daughter in danger for any reason in any way. I am well aware of what would need to be done to safeguard her in these situations. I'm not condoning her avoidance issues either. It is the manner in which Disney handles allergies that would make her feel out of control of the situation. She absolutely advocates for herself when we dine out, which we do frequently. She would be safe guarded at every level. Not having the chef come out would not mean that I haven't already done everything necessary from start to finish. I will know how the food is prepared before we ever step foot in the restaurant.

I called Disney this morning and spoke to someone in their special diets department. She assured me that however we wanted to handle the situation was fine, and if I wanted to go in beforehand with my step daughter and speak to the chef before our reservation that could be arranged no problem. I think that is what we will do. She'll be able to do the talking and ask the questions without feeling out of control of the situation. It's not at all about shame. It's that my step daughter is very much like her dad. She prefers to handle private things in a private manner and a having a chef come out to the table in a room full of people would make her feel that the spotlight is on her. I am very appreciative of how thorough Disney is about allergies and safeguarding guests. She sent me a list of places where "safe" snacks were sold in the parks as well a list of unsafe foods.

Thanks again everyone for the thoughts and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

 

[disfan07]

I appreciate all the responses. Although i will say that I would never put my step daughter in danger for any reason in any way. I am well aware of what would need to be done to safeguard her in these situations. I'm not condoning her avoidance issues either. It is the manner in which Disney handles allergies that would make her feel out of control of the situation. She absolutely advocates for herself when we dine out, which we do frequently. She would be safe guarded at every level. Not having the chef come out would not mean that I haven't already done everything necessary from start to finish. I will know how the food is prepared before we ever step foot in the restaurant.

I called Disney this morning and spoke to someone in their special diets department. She assured me that however we wanted to handle the situation was fine, and if I wanted to go in beforehand with my step daughter and speak to the chef before our reservation that could be arranged no problem. I think that is what we will do. She'll be able to do the talking and ask the questions without feeling out of control of the situation. It's not at all about shame. It's that my step daughter is very much like her dad. She prefers to handle private things in a private manner and a having a chef come out to the table in a room full of people would make her feel that the spotlight is on her. I am very appreciative of how thorough Disney is about allergies and safeguarding guests. She sent me a list of places where "safe" snacks were sold in the parks as well a list of unsafe foods.

Thanks again everyone for the thoughts and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

Be careful though. Those lists are not always completely accurate and they are not complete lists (meaning that there is a LOT that is not on the list but IS safe)

Obviously, you can handle this whatever way you choose, but personally, I would not want to rely on information that I am told ahead of time. I would only trust information told to me by the chef, the day that I am eating there.

I find that one of the best things about Disney is that the chefs who come to speak with you are so wonderful. And they have always been so willing to accomodate my allergies. The best one ever was at the Plaza restaurant. I am allergic to peanuts (anaphylaxis)and eggs. We were on the dining plan so we got dessert with every meal. When the chef came out to talk to me, since none of the desserts there are safe, I could have gotten fruit as dessert but I politely declined because I had been eating so much fruit that week. Suddenly, he came back when everyone else got there dessert and handed me a...MICKEY BAR!!! So awesome. We were not charged for that because they considered it to be my dessert on the plan.

I really think they are required to send the chef out. I think if its listed as an allergy on the reservation, they legally have to because if they dont, that opens them up to possible lawsuits if something happens. Now, I don't know what happens if you say that you dont want the chef. We HAVE to talk to the chef because of my egg allergy (its hidden in so much)I mean, I guess you can say that you don't want to but I don't think that is the best way to go. You can get so much more information while you are there than before you are there. And someone, correct me if i'm wrong, but don't they tale special precautions in the kitchen for allergies??? (Not 100% sure about that)

Dining in Disney with allergies is SOOOOO much different than in the "real" world. I hate mentioing my allergies when eating out in the "real" world. I mean obviously I do it because I have no choice but it is uncomfortable sometimes. At Disney, its not even a bllip on my radar as being uncomfortable. Even when asking for the ingredients at a QS restaurant. They are so wonderful about it and there are so many othe rpeopple in the same situation. I mean, at Flame Tree BBQ teh last time we were there, there were 5 of us waiting for allergy meals at the same time.

I mean, obviously, you will do what you think is best for your step daughter, but personally, after having dealt with eating out with food allergies for the past 4 years, I don't think its a good idea to NOT talk to the chef when you are there. I think its a risky situation.

 

[CampbellScot]

Be careful though. Those lists are not always completely accurate and they are not complete lists (meaning that there is a LOT that is not on the list but IS safe)

Obviously, you can handle this whatever way you choose, but personally, I would not want to rely on information that I am told ahead of time. I would only trust information told to me by the chef, the day that I am eating there.

I find that one of the best things about Disney is that the chefs who come to speak with you are so wonderful. And they have always been so willing to accomodate my allergies. The best one ever was at the Plaza restaurant. I am allergic to peanuts (anaphylaxis)and eggs. We were on the dining plan so we got dessert with every meal. When the chef came out to talk to me, since none of the desserts there are safe, I could have gotten fruit as dessert but I politely declined because I had been eating so much fruit that week. Suddenly, he came back when everyone else got there dessert and handed me a...MICKEY BAR!!! So awesome. We were not charged for that because they considered it to be my dessert on the plan.

I really think they are required to send the chef out. I think if its listed as an allergy on the reservation, they legally have to because if they dont, that opens them up to possible lawsuits if something happens. Now, I don't know what happens if you say that you dont want the chef. We HAVE to talk to the chef because of my egg allergy (its hidden in so much)I mean, I guess you can say that you don't want to but I don't think that is the best way to go. You can get so much more information while you are there than before you are there. And someone, correct me if i'm wrong, but don't they tale special precautions in the kitchen for allergies??? (Not 100% sure about that)

Dining in Disney with allergies is SOOOOO much different than in the "real" world. I hate mentioing my allergies when eating out in the "real" world. I mean obviously I do it because I have no choice but it is uncomfortable sometimes. At Disney, its not even a bllip on my radar as being uncomfortable. Even when asking for the ingredients at a QS restaurant. They are so wonderful about it and there are so many othe rpeopple in the same situation. I mean, at Flame Tree BBQ teh last time we were there, there were 5 of us waiting for allergy meals at the same time.

I mean, obviously, you will do what you think is best for your step daughter, but personally, after having dealt with eating out with food allergies for the past 4 years, I don't think its a good idea to NOT talk to the chef when you are there. I think its a risky situation.

Yes legally they are required to send the chef out. Which I totally understand. We weren't thinking we wouldn't talk to the chef at all. It was more going about speaking with him in a way that didn't make my step daughter feel singled out. Thankfully we are able to make the choice to go in a little before our reservation and speak with the chef. We are only doing two table service places while we are at Disney.They are both character dining buffet situations, so the chef will go over what is out for the evening and what is safe etc. The rest of the time we'll be making use of the kitchen at Beach Club villas.

I'm already going through the list of snacks we were sent and looking everything up. I actually have a nut allergy myself and so I'm used to dealing with this sort of thing, but my goodness how different it is when it's your child. SO out of the blue too. She is actually adjusting very well. My over checking habits are in overdrive now and I'm triple and quadruple checking.

On a related note...single serve doses of Benadryl are virtually IMPOSSIBLE to get. Sold out the world over. Our local pharmacy said they quit asking for it b/c it is constantly on back order. Somebody must be buying it before its even getting to the shelves!

 

[BusyMom2Three]

I'm already going through the list of snacks we were sent and looking everything up.QUOTE]
As a PP said, be careful with that list. A lot of us are frustrated w/ it right now because if I remember correctly, it was last updated Jan 2011 (over a year ago). Right now, Disney is in the midst of changing a lot of suppliers, so a lot of the snacks on the list aren't even available anymore or have been changed to diff brands w/ diff ingredients. There is a thread near the top of this board about some of the changes. You can ask the manager at quick service locations for their book of ingredients.

 

[mickeylr]

to be quite honest.... I know and believe that Disney is absolutely wonderful about allergies in restaurants, but I have read enough stories on here where mistakes were made with food that I am not sure that I would trust that a conversation with the Chef even an hour ahead resulted in a safe plate of food being put in front of me or my daughter. It just opens up a window of opportunity for a mistake to be made that doesn't have to be there..... jmho.

I personally would feel much safer having the chef speak to me, go to the kitchen, prepare the food and then bring it to my table.... not someone else's table. Even if you had the conversation earlier, I would still want to see the chef and have them say that they know that they are preparing the food for your table.

I know that isn't the answer you really want to hear but given that this is a health issue... plus this is a wonderful environment for her to see how to do this safely so that she can possibly eat at other restaurants too.

JMHO. Mary

 

[disfan07]

Yes legally they are required to send the chef out. Which I totally understand. We weren't thinking we wouldn't talk to the chef at all. It was more going about speaking with him in a way that didn't make my step daughter feel singled out. Thankfully we are able to make the choice to go in a little before our reservation and speak with the chef. We are only doing two table service places while we are at Disney.They are both character dining buffet situations, so the chef will go over what is out for the evening and what is safe etc. The rest of the time we'll be making use of the kitchen at Beach Club villas.

I'm already going through the list of snacks we were sent and looking everything up. I actually have a nut allergy myself and so I'm used to dealing with this sort of thing, but my goodness how different it is when it's your child. SO out of the blue too. She is actually adjusting very well. My over checking habits are in overdrive now and I'm triple and quadruple checking.

On a related note...single serve doses of Benadryl are virtually IMPOSSIBLE to get. Sold out the world over. Our local pharmacy said they quit asking for it b/c it is constantly on back order. Somebody must be buying it before its even getting to the shelves!

You mean the liquid benedryl? Why not just buy the pills? Dye free capsules and regular benedryl pills ar ereadily available everywhere around here.

 

[livndisney]

I appreciate all the responses. Although i will say that I would never put my step daughter in danger for any reason in any way. I am well aware of what would need to be done to safeguard her in these situations. I'm not condoning her avoidance issues either. It is the manner in which Disney handles allergies that would make her feel out of control of the situation. She absolutely advocates for herself when we dine out, which we do frequently. She would be safe guarded at every level. Not having the chef come out would not mean that I haven't already done everything necessary from start to finish. I will know how the food is prepared before we ever step foot in the restaurant.

I called Disney this morning and spoke to someone in their special diets department. She assured me that however we wanted to handle the situation was fine, and if I wanted to go in beforehand with my step daughter and speak to the chef before our reservation that could be arranged no problem. I think that is what we will do. She'll be able to do the talking and ask the questions without feeling out of control of the situation. It's not at all about shame. It's that my step daughter is very much like her dad. She prefers to handle private things in a private manner and a having a chef come out to the table in a room full of people would make her feel that the spotlight is on her. I am very appreciative of how thorough Disney is about allergies and safeguarding guests. She sent me a list of places where "safe" snacks were sold in the parks as well a list of unsafe foods.

Thanks again everyone for the thoughts and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

Couple of things......

What WDW tells you on the phone is RARELY true. For example the "list" of safe snacks is currently being revised. So the list is not currently correct. Items they USED to serve are no longer available.

As far as you going in ahead of time, yeah ummmm good luck with that. I have done it a couple times-with no success. The chef you speak to when you go/call is rarely the same Chef on duty when you arrive. One of DD worse reactions was when I made arrangement ahead of time.

The best advice is to play the game. WDW has it set up to speak to a chef/manager when you arrive. I cannot tell you the number of times Special Diets has "said" something and it did not come true. They are a faceless office with business hours-they are not going to be able to help you when you arrive at your dinner to find the chef on duty has no idea about any arrangements" you made prior.

No matter what SD says, in my experience-not speaking to a chef/manager is not an option. I have had servers refuse to serve me until I speak with someone.

 

[Music City Mama]

The majority of the food items do not contain nuts (although desserts and pastries, even if they don't contain nuts can be tricky because of cross-contamination), so the chef will probably tell you about a handful of items she can't have -- and will be at your table for less than a minute. Most people wouldn't have any idea what the chef is talking to you about (i.e, if it's about your step DD or someone else at the table), and/or if they did know, I really don't think they'd care.

 

[dclfun]

First of all, I think it's terrible that your school segregated kids with allergies and am so glad that your dd had a hand in reversing that policy. She should be proud of herself!

Second, my son does not have allergies but is on a renal diet due to kidney failure. He cannot have sodium and can have only limited phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. The servers would not bring our table any food until the chef had come out to speak with us about his diet. It was handled discretely though and I doubt anyone around us was even able to hear the conversation even though he was a little embarrassed by the attention. It was all worth it when he was brought a delicious meal that he could enjoy- something that is very hard to accomplish on a daily basis. We were dining at O'hanas and the meats there are pre-seasoned. David got huge fresh shrimp, dinner rolls he could eat with unsalted butter, a salad with an appropriate dressing on the side, and a steak brought down from Kona Cafe. Meanwhile we have dined next to families who are speaking with the chef and can confirm that we had no idea WHO the person was at the table with the allergy nor could we hear their discussion. They don't hover for a long time- they jot down your responses and then prepare something appropriate. HTH!

 

[CampbellScot]

I'm already going through the list of snacks we were sent and looking everything up.QUOTE]
As a PP said, be careful with that list. A lot of us are frustrated w/ it right now because if I remember correctly, it was last updated Jan 2011 (over a year ago). Right now, Disney is in the midst of changing a lot of suppliers, so a lot of the snacks on the list aren't even available anymore or have been changed to diff brands w/ diff ingredients. There is a thread near the top of this board about some of the changes. You can ask the manager at quick service locations for their book of ingredients.

We aren't going to go until August and we will probably be sticking to brands of prepackaged stuff that I already know, like Divvies. I will check out the thread you suggested though! Thanks!

to be quite honest.... I know and believe that Disney is absolutely wonderful about allergies in restaurants, but I have read enough stories on here where mistakes were made with food that I am not sure that I would trust that a conversation with the Chef even an hour ahead resulted in a safe plate of food being put in front of me or my daughter. It just opens up a window of opportunity for a mistake to be made that doesn't have to be there..... jmho.

I personally would feel much safer having the chef speak to me, go to the kitchen, prepare the food and then bring it to my table.... not someone else's table. Even if you had the conversation earlier, I would still want to see the chef and have them say that they know that they are preparing the food for your table.

I know that isn't the answer you really want to hear but given that this is a health issue... plus this is a wonderful environment for her to see how to do this safely so that she can possibly eat at other restaurants too.

JMHO. Mary

Honestly, it's not about anyone telling me what I want to hear. It's about knowing what I need to do. I would never take anybody's word and not check and recheck. That's just how I do everything. We won't be going in an hour before. We will be going in around the time of our reservation. We are doing two character buffets so no one will be preparing her food and bringing it to her. It will already be out so we just need to know what is what. That is part of the reason I was told it wouldn't be a problem. It's not like we are going to a signature place and having her food drastically altered. I just need to know if the cheese ravioli is walnut free. (Found out today that she is NOT allergic to peanuts!!!)

You mean the liquid benedryl? Why not just buy the pills? Dye free capsules and regular benedryl pills ar ereadily available everywhere around here.

Our allergist and the ER doc told us that she needed to have liquid benadryl b/c it absorbs into the body much faster. Liquid benadryl or triaminic dissolve strips.

I found some of the triaminic strips in the grocery store this evening!!!

 

[livndisney]

We aren't going to go until August and we will probably be sticking to brands of prepackaged stuff that I already know, like Divvies. I will check out the thread you suggested though! Thanks!

This right here is clue number one that you have an old list. Most Divies products have been replaced with OMG brand packaged snacks.

 

[MariDisney]

OP, I hope you and your DD have a great experience getting her what she needs while in WDW. I was just wondering how going in and looking at the buffet with the chef at say 5:00 would make her feel less conspicuous than going with the chef and looking at 5:30 if that were your ADR time. I'm obviously missing something here. I have a 12 year old DD myself and they are funny creatures!

 

[CampbellScot]

OP, I hope you and your DD have a great experience getting her what she needs while in WDW. I was just wondering how going in and looking at the buffet with the chef at say 5:00 would make her feel less conspicuous than going with the chef and looking at 5:30 if that were your ADR time. I'm obviously missing something here. I have a 12 year old DD myself and they are funny creatures!

They are funny creatures indeed. They feel that they are always the center of attention any time anything is pointed out that makes them feel different. If she has the option of having what she feels is a private conversation with the chef and that makes her feel in control of her allergy and what she is eating, that is fine with me and her dad. It's all in the delivery with her. I told her I wasn't sure she would have that option. From the information we gathered today, she does.

I appreciate everyone's answers and comments. Allergies are scary and I'm sure everyone has had at least one scary moment they weren't expecting b/c of their child's allergy. Having been to Disney many times, my husband and I have learned that we can't take Disney's word over the phone as hard and fast truth. As we aren't going on this vacation until August, I have months to get everything in place that needs to be in place. To be honest, by the time August rolls around, she might not care at all if the chef comes out and speaks with her. Right now, as of today, she feels better and more in control of something that scared her and made her feel out of control not too long ago. This little bit of control will allow her to anticipate Disney the way she always has instead of worrying about something that is worrying her right now. More than anything i am gathering information and doing my research. I have six months to go. Today she felt better knowing that she had a choice in how she dealt with her allergy. It might seem like a silly thing, but to her it was not and she felt good. We'll deal with it when we get there and she will be safe no matter what. Thanks for all your thoughts and advice.