People Of Food Intolerance And Allergies Got Clever

[newbie99]

I like to share a very concerning story... I am so angry that the customer could have put me behind bar.

I was working in a food eatery over the weekend and experienced a customer that is willing to risk her life by not disclosing her food allergy condition.

I received an order from the waiter and told me the food must not have gravey.
I said that's fine it's the customer preference.....
But then I was thinking in my mind that the customer may be allergic to some ingredients.
I then decided to call the waiter
to ask the customer too clarify is the customer is allergic to certain ingredients or preference not to have gravey.

The waiter returned and told me that the customer was not happy when asked about whether she is allergic to certain ingredients. The waiter asked me if I could talk to the customer...
By this time I had so many orders piling in to be cooked. We have spent over 5 minutes over this gravey question.

Anyway, I am trying to do the right thing here so I went and talked to the customer trying to establish the real reason for not having gravey as gravey contains so much ingredients.

When I was at the table explaining that our braise steak already have some gravey when we slow cooked it. I then asked if she was allergic to a particular ingredients in the gravey.
She was fuming at this stage and raised her voice where every customer could hear her yelling at me.." If I told you that if I am allergic to food you will not sell it to me!!."

I kept calm and asked her exactly what she can't eat and we have alternative that may suit her.
She the went on and said she was allergic to yeast.
I said yeast is contained in the OXO ingredients we used.

The waiter approaches the table with the plate of food. I told the waiter that we can't sell this braise steak to the customer as it is not suitable for the customer.

The customer then went on and created a very nasty scene.
I just told the waiter to take the food back in the kitchen and I continued to educate this particular customer by saying please don't say that you don't want to have gravey, please tell the food provider that you are allergic to yeast.

I think this particular customer will one day put a food owner behind bar. I am glad that I didn't let this one goes and insisted to get to the bottom of it. She is totally irresponsible by not telling the condition she is in.

[Old_Geezer]

Strange situation. But IMO if they ask for no gravy they're entitled to take their own risks regarding other things they've not told folk of. Maybe you were trying to be too helpful.

[Maydup]

Oh Wow, you cant win Newbie. I think you did the right thing just to check with the customer, there was no need for that rudeness. Some people have true allergies and will take them seriously, others like this one I suspect, was just one of life's awkward customers. But where does it leave you once they have discosed a whete allergy. You have to beleive it and refuse to servie anything with wheat in. All she had to do was to sat thanks for asking, but I just prefer meal with no gravy!

[Maydup]

^^^^ so many typos! Sorry, rushing with fat fingers on a phone.

[ummmm]

I'm allergic to bees.

My son is allergic to something but we haven't figured out what it is yet.

[Tuvok]

When I was young it was tortoise - don't know if I still am!

[kvalidir]

Tortoise to eat or Tortoises generally running around? Well maybe not running...

[Tuvok]

That was the problem - I was little and thought that it should stay in its bed - so I kept puting it back!

[Cloverjo]

Hmmm, difficult customer.
I was in a restaurant and told the server/chef that I didn't want bread. He asked me if I was allergic to any of the ingredients, in case he had to modify any dishes for me. I said No, I just don't eat bread before a meal, and that was it. No need for anger from anyone.
I think you tried too hard, but with recent stories in the news about allergies and food labelling you don't want to take a risk with a customer.