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		<title>What are the 'Top Chefs' so afraid of?</title>
		<description>Discuss What are the 'Top Chefs' so afraid of?</description>
		<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html</link>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-424</link>
			<description><![CDATA[[&#8230;] or packaged, to provide details of any of the top 14 allergens used. It is still early days, and there has been some resistance, but there are signs that eating out with allergies is [&#8230;]]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:46:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-424</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-423</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I totally agree Caroline! And lets be honest, more profit in the till has got to be a big plus! :)]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2015 16:37:59 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-423</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-422</link>
			<description><![CDATA[That's very scary RM, thank goodness you heard and were able to intervene!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2015 16:36:53 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-422</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-421</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Oh dear, someone who didn’t really read my post….. I am not ‘yet another person with an allergy’, my son is the one who suffers, with multiple severe allergies (anaphylaxis inducing).
I wrote the words ‘top chefs’ to highlight the fact that, absolutely, no Michelin starred chefs are present. And I do totally agree with you, these Michelin starred chefs do indeed deserve the accolade of ‘top’ chef over anyone else. I am in awe of their creations, and will continue to be for the foreseeable!
I agree that the ingredients need to be provided verbally as a minimum, but I’m sure you will concur, that for continuity and accuracy purposes, it reduces the significant chances of ‘risk’ to provide them in some form of written format – usually a spreadsheet will more than suffice!
As to your comment about patrons claiming to have an allergy, and then proceeding to order a dish with the very ingredient they claim to be allergic to provides quite a dilemma. I can fully appreciate your frustration, and will even join you in exclaiming my extreme frustration as well. It is because of this, that the very people who have severe and serious allergies (my son included) find it so very difficult to eat out safely. As a chef witnessing first-hand the ‘fashionable’ dalliances into being dairy/wheat/gluten free etc, I am sure you have come across many who are in fact oblivious/ not bothered/worried about eating the very ingredient they claim to be ‘allergic’ to. Unfortunately, if my son were to do this, he would most likely stop breathing and require significant medical attention!
This aside, I have to say, I have read your blog post, and it is extremely well written! :)]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2015 16:33:49 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-421</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-420</link>
			<description><![CDATA[If these restauranteurs used their heads a little, they might figure out that informing customers about allergens in their food could have a big positive effect for them. As you state, it's a real challenge eating out when you have a food allergy. A lot of people with food allergies will simply avoid dining out because it's so fraught   stressful. If the allergens are clea
rly stated on the menu, it'd make it so much was easier for the allergy inflicted customer. This would surely mean more food allergy customers eating out, so more profits in the till!!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2015 03:38:01 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-420</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-419</link>
			<description><![CDATA[As a person who worked in restaurants in the U.S. for a number of years I will never forget hearing a waitress ask the proprietor is the fruit we served on the buffet was in natural syrup or heavy (sweetened) syrups. She explained that her guest had severe diabetes and had to watch her sugar intake. And the owner blithely said "Oh tell her it's sugar free---she's not going to die for heaven's sake!" I intercepted the waitress and told her to tell the lady it was packed in heavy syrup. I had seen a guest eat chocolate pie once with peanut butter mixed into it and she had been told "oh no there are no nuts in the pie". After we watched her turn blue and called the ambulance where she was rushed to the hospital and had to stay for several days, I literally threatened that waitresses life! All it take is one time. Surely those talented chefs can still make their masterpieces while warning guests as to what is in it that might cause a reaction!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2015 01:47:08 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-419</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-418</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Oh dear.
Yet another person with an allergy who didn't really read the article,   did even less research on the matter.
100 top chefs?!? Really? Did you actually bother to read who signed the letter? No, clearly not. It is predominantly business owners   orchestrated by an anti EU lobby group. Not 1Michelin starred chef is on that letter, which is a better barometer of what a 'Top chef' is than anything else out there, including the thoughts of the Daily Telegraph.
So really all you are doing is playing into their hands. These FIC regs are law   they are enforced by Trading Standards, with support from EHOs.
Your post is incorrect in so many ways. Caterers DON'T need to present allergen information on menus, nor do they have to do an indepth audit either. They have to demonstrate that if any of the 14 allergens are present in dishes (suppliers also have to supply the same info to restaurants). They ONLY have to give the information VERBALLY to the customer in the UK, whilst on Mainland Europe, it must be in a written form.
Whilst having a food allergy is a serious matter, this legislation is relieving the customer of responsibility. How many times as a chef I would find out when a customer was sat at the table that they had dietary requirements, rather than informing us at the time of booking. Or the habitual classic " I have a lactose intolerance/allergy"   then the person orders cheese or panna cotta.
For a more informed view, I've written this: http://chefhermes.com/the-reply-100-top-chefs-write-to-the-daily-telegraph-about-allergens/]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:10:56 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-418</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-417</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Love this, great idea!!]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:21:52 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-417</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-416</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Exactly right, it's not as hard as they're making out, nowhere near! Thank you for your comment, much appreciated! x]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:21:32 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-416</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-415</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Absolutely right, first and foremost should be the safety of their consumers! Thank you for your comment, much appreciated! x]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:20:35 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-415</guid>
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			<title>The Intolerant Gourmand says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-414</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I'd love that Ruth, and thank you for your feedback! Great blog post from you too! x]]></description>
			<dc:creator>The Intolerant Gourmand</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:19:17 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-414</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-413</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Fantastic blog, as always. Some really good arguments here and I think all of us on here agree, their arguments seem more like discrimination than anything else. I've blogged about this here. Do you mind if I add a link to your blog too? whatallergy.com/2015-03/top-chefs-attack-new-eu-re gulations-on-allergens-in-food]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:13:01 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-413</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-412</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I absolutely agree with this article. The 'Top Chefs'( ha! Master chef winner - tits and teeth as they say) who have signed the open letter in todays telegraph need to take their blinkers off, stop being so churlish and realise the only thing stifling their creativity is their own limits as producing certain dishes without certain ingredients is far more challenging - trust me I know. Anyway the allergen ruling doesn't stop you from putting ingredients in a dish. It is asking for information to be readily available should a customer ask. Now how hards that? The many chefs I know, fully understand the ingredients they use, are proud of the ingredients they use and are confident in the ingredients they use, so are only too happy to relay the information to customers. They are the real 'top chefs' not the prima donna variety, of celebrity status, jumping on an anti allergy bandwagon because their ill informed PA's said they should. Allergies or not I want to know what I'm eating.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 14:46:38 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-412</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-411</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Great post - I found myself nodding my head in agreement as I read your words. There's nothing better than experimenting and inventing new recipes that are allergy-friendly and I often find myself having to be spontaneous when a crucial ingredient is missing. We love to eat out and have found some of the chains to be excellent in providing the information we need to make sure both children are safe when they eat. Such a shame that the "big guns" want to throw a negative spanner in the works in a world that is already challenging enough for those with food allergies xx]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:32:15 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-411</guid>
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			<title>Guest says:</title>
			<link>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-410</link>
			<description><![CDATA[As a peanut allergy sufferer myself, I love the new EU legislation. I also appreciate the impact on restaurants and eateries, which is why my company have created a website, FreeMyMenu.com, to make allergen-friendly menu creation easy.
Menus are entered into the system, and full allergen information is specified for each dish. This allergen information is then reproduced on all menus, whether you print them yourself or put them in your website. If a dish’s allergen information changes, it takes 30 seconds to update it and your online menus are automatically updated.
What’s more, FreeMyMenu.com allows restaurants to filter menus to exclude allergens before printing. Imagine going to a restaurant and being handed a menu containing only dishes you can eat, instead of having to look through all the ones you can’t. That’s what restaurants using Free My Menu can do.]]></description>
			<dc:creator>Guest</dc:creator>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:01:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.intolerantgourmand.com/bg/allergies/132-what-are-the-top-chefs-so-afraid-of.html#comment-410</guid>
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