How to Host a Person With a Food Allergy

Hosting a dinner party is a complicated endeavor. Hosting a dinner party where one or more of the guests has a food allergy makes preparation and planning even more essential to the gathering's success. These steps will help you keep everyone safe, while keeping you and your guests at ease.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Planning the Meal

1. Ask your guest(s) about their food allergies. Be specific, because some people are hesitant to offer information to their hosts about their allergies. They might be embarrassed, or they don't want to be a bother. However, it is important to know what foods your guests are allergic to, how severe the allergy is and what the appropriate treatment is.
2. Research allergen-free recipes, or ask your guest(s) for suggestions. Chances are also good that they have a few favorite and safe recipes of their own.
3. Review the menu for the meal you are hosting with your guest(s) who have food allergies. They will be able to quickly identify any dangerous items you may have missed.
4. Prepare a separate dish for your guest(s) with allergies, if it is impossible or impractical to serve everyone the same meal.

Hosting the Meal

5. Make your guest with food allergies comfortable. As the host of the event, do not bring the subject of their special needs up in front of other guests unless it is absolutely necessary.
6. Provide separate serving dishes and utensils if your guest with food allergies is eating a different dish.
7. Be understanding. Do not be offended if your guest with food allergies declines something on the menu. It is much better to be safe than sorry.
8. Be prepared. If a guest does have an allergic reaction while at your home, have the appropriate treatment readily available. Make sure there is a car ready if a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• You can let your guest bring their own food if they prefer.
• Keep "safe" food safe from kitchen to mouth. Be conscious of cross contamination while preparing and serving food. Even a small amount of allergen can cause an adverse reaction.

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