My First Restaurant Experience
Eating out at restaurants has always been a scary idea for me because of my multiple food allergies. In fact, I ate at a restaurant for the first time recently. Yes, I know it might sound silly, since I am 16 years old. I have never trusted anyone else besides my mom, myself, and occasionally my grandma with cooking my food. I have always gone to restaurants; however, I would bring my food and sometimes the restaurant would heat it up in the microwave in the back, if they had one. Other times, I just ate it at room temperature. I realize now that I didn’t always have to be this way, and that with the right people and the right precautions, I could have meals cooked for me by other people, also.
The thing that inspired this change in attitude about eating out at restaurants was the 2009 FAAN Teen Summit*. After attending this conference, I realized that there are other teens with similar food allergies that regularly order food from restaurants. The most important part about every eating experience with food allergies is being prepared. Before we left to go to the restaurant, I made sure that I had two unexpired epinephrine auto-injectors and an antihistamine in my medicine bag. Also before we went to the restaurant, my mom and I called the place and asked if they would be able to cook me a meal because of my food allergies. They said that it would be no problem. Also, they told us a specific time to come, so that it wouldn’t be so busy, that way the chef could devote more time to caring for my food to prevent cross-contact. The chef, Bobby, cooked me pasta, steamed broccoli, and a delicious chicken cutlet, using breadcrumbs that my mom and I made and brought from home. When we got to the restaurant, we explained my food allergies to the waiter, who had already been notified that I was coming. Then, the waiter brought out the chef. We talked to him once more and explained the severity of my food allergies. He came up with the idea of cooking my chicken cutlet in a pan on the stove, instead of on the grill, which was also used for cooking fish. After everything was explained and I felt safe, my meal was brought out with my family’s meals. I should mention that I didn’t initially just devour the plate of food. There were several minutes during those first few bites where I kept waiting for something bad to happen. With my parents’ help and the assurance of the waiter, I calmed down and enjoyed the entire plate of food. Absolutely nothing was left on the plate by the end of dinner. Although this was an amazing experience, and I will definitely come back to this restaurant, I understand that this was a special circumstance, and that not every restaurant can accommodate my allergies.
*Editor’s Note: Keep checking this website for information on registration for the 2010 Teen Summit. Contact Geoff White, youth programs manager, for more information.
