Please note: I never take it personally if a caterer can’t meet these requirements. Just let me know, and I’ll self cater to avoid hassles.
Allergies: Trace Level Problems
If the product says “May contain traces” I have to assume it contains traces. Shared equipment in a commercial catering kitchen is an acceptable risk (if you have dedicated equipment, it’s appreciated)
- Wheat (including trace levels and derivatives). This is a specific allergy to wheat, not gluten. Gluten free wheat is still an allergen
- Dairy products (including trace levels): This is a milk allergy, so lactose free milk is still an allergen
- Alcohol inclusive of food that has been cooked, marinated or otherwise uses wine even if the alcohol is cooked off
- White wine is a specific allergen as it uses dairy products in the production process
- Processed meats which use wheat/diary based additives or traces
- Fluoride:
- This means that any food cooked by boiling or absorption (eg rice) method or similar techniques that use fluoridated water is out.
- Yes, this takes soups out if you’ve made it with tap water.
- This eliminates tap water as a drink, and ice cubes in any other drink.
- Note: produce washed in the water is fine
- Steamed food is fine as well.
- This means that any food cooked by boiling or absorption (eg rice) method or similar techniques that use fluoridated water is out.
Allergies: Non Trace Level Problems
I can work around these being present (eg on the same plate, dish) but not if they’re mixed in together (eg salad, soup or other compound)
- Coconut and derivatives (eg coconut milk),
- Pumpkin,
- Sweet potato,
- Curry powders and curries
- Mango,
- Banana,
- Strawberry,
- Kiwi fruit
- Pineapple
The Options List
Food: I am not vegetarian. All forms of plain meat, inclusive of fish, seafood, chicken, pork, and steak are acceptable.
- Basic meal alternatives include plain grilled vegetables with a plain grilled meat (eg chicken, steak, seafood).
- Salads without dressing are fine.
- Grilled vegetables and grilled meat using olive oil is fine.
- Eggs are also fine.
- All seafood (not crumbed and batter) is fine.
- Chili, salt, pepper, and herbs are fine.
- If in doubt, the back-stage can check with me for confirmation of requirements.
Drinks: Acceptable and safe options include Pepsi Max and Diet Red Bull, or bottled still water (Mt Franklin or similar), or cheerfully looking the other way if I need to supply my own provisions.
If alternative food cannot be provided by a caterer, let me know and I will self cater.
Also, if you’re not providing non-alcoholic options at your event, please consider non-drinkers and expand the library of options.
Commercial Food options (Australian)
- Nando’s (Most states)
- Chicken tenderloin meal (extra hot, chips);
- Grill’d Burgers (Several states):
- Almighty (mods: Gluten free bun, no cheese); Simon Says Burger (Gluten free bun)
- HFC bites (plain, any size), chips, large. Pepsi Max.
- Generic Options
- Pad Thai (chicken or seafood, rice noodles)
- Plain grilled fish and chips (no batter)