This Is Why I Always Talk About Using A Chef Card with Food Allergies

I talk about using a chef card with food allergies ALL. THE. TIME.  I know.

However, there is a reason. It is literally THE best tool I have ever decided to use consistently when explaining my food allergies. Dining out can feel exhausting when you have to disclose your dietary requirements on repeat. By using a chef card, although verbal communication is still important, it relieves some of that tiresome explanation while also feeling better understood in the process.

For years I wasn’t consistent about using a chef card in the U.S. Whenever I traveled out of the US however, I never considered dining without a chef card. I didn’t know why I wasn’t doing the same at home. I always appreciated how much easier it made the entire process. Having multiple food allergies, it can be difficult to truly know if the manager and server have every single allergen written down and ready to explain to the chef. Once I started using the chef card in the US consistently to dine out however, it made the entire process much easier and more enjoyable because I wasn’t worrying if they had everything written down.

Now I use the chef card whenever I dine out. I keep it in the insulated bag with my epinephrine auto-injectors, since I know I never leave those behind.

Help! I need a Chef Card. Well, guess what? I have a Chef Card Mini-course with my template, videos of me dining out using my chef card and much more. Check it out here: Chef Card Mini-Course

 

2 Comments

  1. Miss Allergic Reactor

    Hi Tricia,
    Thanks so much! There are a few different companies that will translate for you. One company mails the cards and the other sends a download to print yourself. I typically make my own and use friends who speak the language. Any of those options work. It’s just important to have a proper translation. I also like to have pictures of the foods crossed out on mine. Hope that’s helpful!

  2. Hi
    Do you have any suggestions of where to order a chef card in Greek? We are traveling to Athens and Crete this summer and want to be able to communicate my sons allergies
    Thanks and I love your posts and site

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