As Food Allergy Week unfolds, it underscores the crucial need to understand, manage, and accommodate food allergies and intolerances. At 30 Euston Square, allergen awareness isn’t just a checkbox—it’s woven into the fabric of our business values. We stand committed to minimising allergen exposure and proactively managing associated risks.

Allergens present a significant health concern for millions of individuals globally. Understanding the causes, effects, and management strategies associated with allergens empowers individuals to proactively mitigate risk, alleviate symptoms, and enhance their quality of life. For chefs, crafting a menu tailored to accommodate allergens demands careful consideration of common triggers and innovative ingredient substitutions.

Catering to Diverse Dietary Needs

Offering a diverse array of allergen-friendly dishes allows chefs to accommodate guests with various dietary restrictions while delivering delicious and satisfying meals. Clear communication with diners regarding ingredient substitutions and potential cross-contamination risks is essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all.

Some of 30 Euston Square’s best practices include:

• Compliance and Regulations: Adherence to national regulations regarding allergen labelling and management is paramount, ensuring full compliance with all standards.
• Team Training: Our staff undergo comprehensive training on common allergens, cross-contamination risks, and proper handling procedures. Our event planners offer expert guidance, while our kitchen brigade follows strict protocols to prevent accidental exposure or cross-contamination.
• Educating Our Guests: We assist event planners in better understanding allergens and recognising symptoms, empowering them to make informed choices when planning delegate dining experiences
• Allergy Inquiries: Prior to events, we thoroughly inquire about allergies or intolerances, reaffirming these inquiries when taking orders on the day to ensure all dietary needs are met.
• Clear Allergen Declaration: All menus feature clear allergen labelling with easy-to-understand text, indicating the presence of allergens in each dish. We provide directional advice, omitting ambiguous terms like ‘may contain’ or ‘might have.’
• Regular Menu Updates: As menus change with the seasons and available ingredients, we consistently update them to reflect any changes in allergen content, ensuring transparency and safety for our guests.

Navigating Common Allergens

Gluten and dairy allergies top the list of common allergen requests, followed by nuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish. While lupin allergy is relatively rare, effective communication of allergen requirements is crucial when dining out to mitigate the risk of severe reactions. By providing advance notice of allergen requirements, we can tailor dishes to meet guests’ needs while ensuring a delightful dining experience

It’s important to note that common condiments like Horseradish sauce may contain unexpected allergens such as eggs, sulphites, and mustard. Similarly, some soy sauces contain gluten, and ketchup may contain celery. Hidden allergens or unexpected ingredients may be present in certain dishes, underscoring the importance of transparent communication between guests and our culinary team.

Chef’s Expertise and Ingredient Awareness

Our chefs are trained to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences, with a keen awareness of ingredient nuances. By informing the chef of allergen requirements in advance, we can tailor dishes or make necessary modifications to meet guests’ needs without compromising flavour or quality. Moreover, our chefs possess a keen awareness of ingredients, enabling them to make informed choices—for instance, using gluten-free Dijon mustard instead of its gluten-containing counterpart.

Food Allergy Week serves as a vital opportunity to raise awareness about understanding, managing, and accommodating food allergies and intolerances. Improving allergen labelling on menus and food packaging and implementing chef training programs focused on allergen awareness and safe food handling practices are key initiatives to enhance guest safety and satisfaction.

Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Dining Environment

Collaborating with healthcare professionals, allergy advocacy organisations, and food manufacturers fosters inclusivity while providing valuable resources and support for individuals managing food allergies and intolerances. By dedicating time to allergen awareness, we can collectively create a safer environment for all individuals, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and well-being.

Food allergies can impact everyone. Through effective allergen management not only do we ensure compliance but we’re also creating a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all guests who join us at 30 Euston Square.

Get In Touch

Interested in learning more about how we manage allergens and ensure a safe dining experience for all our guests? Contact us today to find out more about our practices and how we can accommodate your dietary needs.