Chew On This! Menu Planning in the 21st Century:
Understanding Food Allergies and Common Dietary Restrictions
If there's one-thing we can count on when selecting food and beverage menus, it's that tastes and trends of our attendees are continually evolving. From locally sourced to food-allergy friendly, healthier vegetarian fare to food trucks and street food, gone are the days of planning a banquet menu that you only have to ask "Chicken, fish or beef?" Gluten-free, allergy-friendly, macrobiotic and sustainable are all on the plate. But, how do you meet the needs of all your guests while not breaking the bank? In this session, you'll learn:
* What are the different dietary needs
* Why we need to legally be concerned about meeting the needs
* How to meet these needs while managing costs
* What to serve to satisfy cravings while secretly energizing and nourishing attendees
Our Speaker
 Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC, founder and chief connecting officer of Thrive! Meetings & Events is a event planner and consultant who is one of just 275 people in the world to hold a designation as a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), among several other industry certifications. She is also one of the 12 million people in the United States suffering from food allergies. Here is her story:
“Around age 30, I began experiencing lethargy, severe mood swings, depression, and sinus and breathing problems—symptoms that impacted my quality of life. After four years of visiting doctors who could find nothing wrong with me, I finally found an ENT who located the source of my illness: a food allergy to yeast.
I went on a yeast-free diet (yeast, sugar, vinegar, dairy, white flour, peanuts, mushrooms), lost 25 pounds and felt better than I had in years. But I soon found that managing my diet was nearly impossible when traveling for the events I planned. A typical day at a meeting or event usually included three extravagant meals, but most of the time, I couldn’t eat anything that was being served. I didn’t realize right away that I could make off-the-menu requests, but when I did, I realized that sometimes, I got meals that were far superior—in health and flavor—to what everyone else was getting; other times, I got a plate of hard-boiled eggs and bland chicken.
I began to see that very few know how to address the needs of people with dietary restrictions, whether it is a personal choice, a medical condition or a food allergy. That’s why, in January 2009, after reading an article in Natural Health, I decided to do something about it—not only for myself, but for the many people with food allergies and other dietary concerns who attend meetings and events every year. I entered the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) to learn more about my allergy and how to eat—and feel—better with food.
What I came away with was:
- the knowledge that I am not alone in my needs
- a passion to “make the world healthier one event at a time”
- the desire to educate the hospitality industry on how to care for guests with dietary needs
Soon afterward, I decided to combine this knowledge and training with my 20 years of event planning experience, and, in 2010, I founded Thrive! Meetings & Events. I am thrilled to not only produce events that reflect my passion for food and personal commitment to the environment; I feel inspired to work within the hospitality industry to change the health of our nation, one event at a time.”
 
Step out of the ordinary and into sophistication at Suite, a premium lounge that stimulates the senses. Suite serves an extensive list of unique cocktails, spirits and select wines, crafted for a mature palate. Strict attention to detail is evident throughout, with exceptional service and hospitality provided at all times. Rich surroundings and stunning décor create an ambience fitting for a casual evening after work or night out on the town, while world-class entertainment provides late-night inspiration for guests.
Suite boasts four unique VIP areas, for those seeking a taste of our sophisticated nightlife, while enjoying a more intimate setting and personal attention for their group. These VIP areas are ideal for any type of meeting or gathering – professional or social – you are hosting. All VIP Suites also feature customizable options, including a full menu of our chef-driven small plates and bottle service. |
