Cross Contamination..

Hello there readers,
I know it's been a while. My apologies. 

I'm not on my beloved island right now, I'm visiting family across the pond. I'm always in awe of the variety of Gluten Free products available here. So far I've had some good and bad food experiences while eating out.
Please please, please.. if you ever cook for someone who suffers with Celiac Disease, take the time to wash all utensils and pots that will be used,  and clean the area where you'll be preparing the food. Cross contamination, even a little something that doesn't seem like anything to you, can cause a serious reaction.

Whenever I eat out, I tell the wait staff that I have an allergy, I'm not on a diet. Sad that I have to say it, but I think that people get annoyed by the multitude of "fad diets" and just aren't as careful, so I say it. I remember I went to a noodle place in Miami, and I was freaked out when I saw (you could see them cooking) a cook making what I thought was my meal, it turned out not to be mine, but the server who took my order saw my distress, and he went behind the counter, washed everything and made my meal himself. That is service. But I'm not here to talk about  Miami (unfortunately). 

So, we went to a well known pasta chain here, I told the waitress I have an allergy, I ordered the only gluten free item on the menu....she didn't mention the fact that it was all cooked the same place. Well I'm assuming here. I was fine while eating it, fast forward a few hours later and my face was a red, dry blotchy mess....all reactions suck.. and there are many. It's been a  week, my face is still blotchy and dry, but on the mend.

Butttt listen, if you ever ever ever happen upon a "Mellow Mushroom" pizza place (I can't speak for service at all locations, I've only been to the one) the pizza is awesome. The staff wore gloves when handling my food, they were so mindful and accommodating, Nikki was a wonderful server, and the pizza was ah-may-ZING. I haven't had pizza in over a year, the craving was real. The non gluten free varieties seemed to go down well too. 

Restaurants, you would do well to educate your staff on how to deal with people who have food drama, there are a lot of us, and we all like to eat, and also we have mulah. cash money, paper (carry on with whatever slang you wish). 

I'm not sure when next I'll be back with a food type post, but I'm still here, don't give up on me.