Week In Orlando- Tradeshow-

[jasonD2]

Hi folks!

I will be in Orlando 6 days this week for a tradeshow and every night will be dinner with colleagues. Whats the best way to handle this? I wont be in a position to select all the restaurants, but maybe 1 or 2...i know there's a Maggiano's which should be ok but not sure what else. Again im trying to be discreet about my situation

Also im not just avoiding gluten now...i have been dealing with some parasites/food intolerances and indigestion and only feel good when i cook for myself..im really trying to baby myself until I cam strong enough to bring more foods back into my diet..so bottom line its really just not safe for me to eat out at all right now...period!

Would it be really bizarre if i joined everyone for dinner and just didnt eat? or just say im gonna skip on dinner and go back to my room to work? Im just extremely uncomfortable eating in restaurants

thanks

[sandsurfgirl]

Jason, I am so amazed at the fact that you are dealing with so much health wise and you keep up with work and travel and all of that. I think you are a strong person and many would have crumbled by now.

You had success at that one dinner and if you had gone to the other one you probably would have been okay. I think you should just take it one dinner at a time. Find out ahead of time as much as possible where they are eating. Call the restaurant and see if they can accomodate you.

Use the word Allergy. I swear it lights a fire under their behinds when they hear that word. When I worked in restaurants as a waitress that word meant something to me (this was years ago when I had no idea what celiac was.) Intolerance and all that doesn't register with them and intolerance sounds far less serious.

If you don't find out until the afternoon where you are eating, then just call when you can. They can and will make every effort to accomodate most likely. Ask to speak to the manager right away too. Don't bother with the hostess who answers the phone. When I call I say "I have some food allergies and I need to speak to a manager to find out what I can eat safely at your restaurant."

Plan to have food at your hotel so that if the restaurant sounds sketchy you can eat before hand and then just order something simple like a salad with olive oil and vinegar.

Don't be apologetic or embarrassed if somebody asks you about what you are eating. Be confident and simply say "I found out recently I have a lot of food allergies and I have to be careful of what I eat." Then change the subject unless they press you. If they press you, then they are truly interested and you can tell them about celiac.

You have to go to these dinners, at least as many as you can. Networking is huge, especially at a trade show. I hope you are able to get some rest ahead of time because I know those shows are so exhausting. I do them for my business once in awhile and they wipe me out.

If you have internet access, post the restaurants on here when you can and maybe we can help you do some research or others will know about them. And if you panic, post here too so we can help you out.

You will be FINE!!! Just take it one step at a time.

[sandsurfgirl]

And ummmm, you know you shouldn't mention parasites right?

[jasonD2]

Thank you my friend!

Yes, no mention of parasites- LOL.. if i tell them celiac, parasites, IBS and food allergies they will think i'm a f'n nut job

[mushroom]

A quick google brought up this info in Orlando:

Open Original Shared Link

Garden Cafe should offer Gluten Free. The new Whole Foods in Dr. Phillips has a MASSIVE hot bar and prepared food stations are that you can get food and enjoy in the "cafe seating" portion, which is a large dining room where carts are not allowed. (according to their signage.)

Infusiontea room might also have a few offerings. Taste is a small plate tapas place that has plenty of choices.

Season's 52 has a great Veggie Plate (huge portion, 6 (fresh) veggie sides along with grilled tofu) Just tell them you're gluten free and they can sub some of the items you cannot eat for some of the other fresh vegetable sides. The usually offer the pearl pasta or other starch on the plate, but that entree is already primarily Gluten free. Great wine, salads, fish, seafood, chicken and beef as well.

Garden Cafe Vegetarian Restaurant

www.gardencafevege.com

810 W Colonial Dr

Orlando, FL 32804

(407) 999-9799

Open Original Shared Link

Whole Foods Market

8003 Turkey Lake Road, Phillips Crossing

Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 355-7100

InfusionTea

Open Original Shared Link

1600 Edgewater Dr,

Orlando, Florida (32804)

407-999-5255

Taste Restaurant

Open Original Shared Link

717 W. Smith Street

Orlando, FL 82804 (College Park

)(407) 835-0646

Seasons 52

At the Plaza Venezia

7700 Sand Lake Road

Orlando, FL 32819

Phone: (407) 354-5212

Seasons 52

By the Altamonte Mall

463 East Altamonte Drive

Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

Phone: (407) 767-1252

Open Original Shared Link

I am sure if you google some more you will come up with lots of other information so you are prepared ahead of time by knowing which places are good for you.

[sandsurfgirl]

  On 2/27/2010 at 6:41 PM, jasonD2 said:

Thank you my friend!

Yes, no mention of parasites- LOL.. if i tell them celiac, parasites, IBS and food allergies they will think i'm a f'n nut job

Pretty much. You guys on here are the only men in my life that I would ever in my life discuss GI issues and gross stuff with.

[sandsurfgirl]

So will you have any free time to do anything fun while you are there or will they fill up all your time with boring trade show stuff? If you do have free time I hope you can get out and enjoy yourself. I think you could do with some fun and laughs.

[jasonD2]

I was under the impression the Whole Foods hot bar is not safe? That use to be my salvation but I gave it up and now cook my own food in my hotel. You guys eat at the WF hot bar? seriously?

[CeliacMom2008]

IF you have time for any fun or get to splurge on any restaurants, Disney is absolutely amazing for anyone with any type of food issues. We've had so many chefs make comments like to our son like, "The only thing you can't have is gluten. Well that's easy enough." When my son was first diagnosed and I was having trouble figuring things out we had a trip to Disney scheduled. At the end of the trip I just wanted to leave my son there because his stomach had been 100% the entire time we were there! So even if you're skeptical about other places, I think you'd be really safe there. The chefs are very well versed in food issues. They come out to your table, personally talk with you, personally make your meal at their private work station, and in most cases deliver your food to you.

Now as for the rest, if you feel you can safely feed yourself on the trip and the dinners will offer networking opportunities, I wouldn't be afraid to just say right out, "I have Celiac and am working on getting the strict diet under control. I'll just be joining you for drinks and a salad (or if you don't feel comfortable with even the salad - drinks and coversation)." I really think you'd be fine with that. It seems today soooo many people know someone who has Celiac, who was just diagnosed with Celiac, etc. that it will probably just spark some polite interest. Just remember to skim over the symptoms of Celiac. No one wants to hear about your bowel issues over a business dinner!

You'll do great, Jason!

[sandsurfgirl]

  On 2/28/2010 at 2:01 AM, jasonD2 said:

I was under the impression the Whole Foods hot bar is not safe? That use to be my salvation but I gave it up and now cook my own food in my hotel. You guys eat at the WF hot bar? seriously?

I did once and it was fine but I was scared every time I took a bite. The girl there told me that they can't guarantee gluten free, blah blah blah and I do think CC is a possible issue.

So you didn't answer the question about whether you will have time for fun. Don't avoid it Jason! You are going to have some fun if it kills you! We will make sure of it. You've been suffering too long. wait I like this smiley better

[kareng]

  On 2/28/2010 at 3:10 AM, sandsurfgirl said:

So you didn't answer the question about whether you will have time for fun. Don't avoid it Jason! You are going to have some fun if it kills you! We will make sure of it. You've been suffering too long. wait I like this smiley better

Hey hon! Take the wee beasties out for a wild amusement park ride. Seriously, people have been very nice to me so far when I tell them about celiac disease. They feel bad when they start thinking about how hard it is & I only have the one food issue (Knock on wood). I'm going on a ski trip soon & am just packing stuff for the lunches. Got a doctors note that says I should bring my food. Good luck!

[vintagegyrl]

We just went to Chilis yesterday and they have a new allergy menu they can print out for you in the restaurant. U just have to tell them what allergy: gluten and they will get it for you. Just read the fine print. Nothing is guaranteed but the food listed is gluten free. Just be sure to order it as listed in the fine print. (salad w/o tostilla chips, etc)