Guest guest Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Just ask any waitstaff which items are vegetarian. Beth Creative Memories - for all your memory preservations needs! “The right adult at the right time can make an enormous difference. Many kids have a history of difficult, disappointing relationships and one good relationship--one person who is there for them--can make a huge difference.” --- On Fri, 12/5/08, Audrey Snyder <AudeeBird wrote: Audrey Snyder <AudeeBird party etiquette question Friday, December 5, 2008, 9:25 AM I'm going to a firm party this Sat night, cocktails and hors'doeuvres at a fancy hotel downtown. I don't go to many events like this! When a waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell you about what it is, and how can you politely figure out if it's something that is acceptable to you as a vegetarian? I want to make a good impression, don't want to draw attention to myself and refuse all food (but I will eat before I come), and I definitely don't want a mouthful of chicken! Thanks! Audrey S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 The waiter will understand, you have every right to question the ingredients. Many mac salads ending up having tuna or chicken in them and you can't see it. Same with spinach dips it might have crab or some other seafood in it. Could also happen with many spreads, you might think it's a pimento spread and yet it has salmon. Donna Rainy day mushroom pillow, colors green, brown and yellow. Wonder if they'll turn back ever, contemplating what together, poison dreams, assorted dreams, mushroom dreams. Source: Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow - Strawberry Alarm Clock --- On Fri, 12/5/08, Audrey Snyder <AudeeBird wrote: Audrey Snyder <AudeeBird party etiquette question Friday, December 5, 2008, 6:25 AM I'm going to a firm party this Sat night, cocktails and hors'doeuvres at a fancy hotel downtown. I don't go to many events like this! When a waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell you about what it is, and how can you politely figure out if it's something that is acceptable to you as a vegetarian? I want to make a good impression, don't want to draw attention to myself and refuse all food (but I will eat before I come), and I definitely don't want a mouthful of chicken! Thanks! Audrey S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 I try to connect with the organizer ahead of the party to let them know of my needs. Most times I have received courteous, helpful service. For the few times when questions arise, I've found it easy to just say " Doctor's Orders " (they don't need to know it was Dr. Fuhrmann or some other favorite doctor of yours). That helps smooth the way. At the party, depending on who/how it is organized, early on seek out the coordinator or host and ask how to find what is suitable for your dietary needs. They usually are very tuned into various needs and willing to help. They, too, would rather have a happy party guest than one having a tough time gagging on something they found they shouldn't be eating. Also, don't worry about drawing attention to yourself. Go proudly in life. It is your life, your body, your health. We don't have to parade it or harass others, but not at all be ashamed of wanting to live healthily. People of power will respect your confidence in your choices, even if not exactly what they have currently chosen. (They put their pants on one leg at a time, just like us. Well, except maybe generals or others who have orderlies help dress them. They might get to do both legs at once... ;-) + John - Audrey Snyder I'm going to a firm party this Sat night, cocktails and hors'doeuvres at a fancy hotel downtown. I don't go to many events like this! When a waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell you about what it is, and how can you politely figure out if it's something that is acceptable to you as a vegetarian? I want to make a good impression, don't want to draw attention to myself and refuse all food (but I will eat before I come), and I definitely don't want a mouthful of chicken! . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 Good advice for any occasion John. Tameson in NH - " John Daleske " <john Go proudly in life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 I have only been to weddings where the hors d'ourves were served by the wait staff and they seemed pretty knowlegable. I think eating before hand is a very good idea. If there is any question, skip it, I guess. If you make friends with one of the servers, they may be able to make sure you get what you want. I hope you enjoy yourself. Cassie --- On Fri, 12/5/08, Audrey Snyder <AudeeBird wrote: Audrey Snyder <AudeeBird party etiquette question Friday, December 5, 2008, 9:25 AM I'm going to a firm party this Sat night, cocktails and hors'doeuvres at a fancy hotel downtown. I don't go to many events like this! When a waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell you about what it is, and how can you politely figure out if it's something that is acceptable to you as a vegetarian? I want to make a good impression, don't want to draw attention to myself and refuse all food (but I will eat before I come), and I definitely don't want a mouthful of chicken! Thanks! Audrey S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2008 Report Share Posted December 6, 2008 It is best to ask the server what is in the hors d'ourves however you also need to be vigilant as they can get their information wrong. I work in a tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts school (we train chefs and servers etc). I attended an event put on by our students. They remembered to record if people were vegetarian and had special dishes for them (served buffet) which in fact is a given even in a me*t dominated industry. In fact, they caught me as I was about to take something that had me*t in it (but didn't look like it did). Nonetheless one of my students served me an spring roll that was filled with shrimp. When I asked if it was vegetable she emphatically said yes. The lighting was dark and I ended up eating and swallowing a bite that didn't seem quite right. She later found me and profusely apologised that she had served shrimp. The issue is that some were vegetarian and others were not. Of course it was her job to know. A potential fatal error for some people! And a sickening error for others. Even before becoming vegetarian I didn't touch shrimp for religious reasons so it was somewhat devestating for me. Anyway, the moral is to ask but also be vigilant. If it doesn't seem right don't eat it. As another aside some of the chefs and professional servers told me that some people will hide meat in dishes and not tell the customers so please be extra careful when you go to a restaurant. This also goes for menus or names of dishes written in another language (e.g., French). If in doubt...ask! The examples were from up-scale establishments. Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I usually just ask what the horsd'oeurves are, I don't make a big deal if it is something I eat I take one otherwise I say no thank you. No one should be offended not everybody eats everything whether you are vegetarian or not. In a message dated 12/5/2008 9:40:10 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, AudeeBird writes: I'm going to a firm party this Sat night, cocktails and hors'doeuvres at a fancy hotel downtown. I don't go to many events like this! When a waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell you about what it is, and how can you politely figure out if it's something that is acceptable to you as a vegetarian? I want to make a good impression, don't want to draw attention to myself and refuse all food (but I will eat before I come), and I definitely don't want a mouthful of chicken! Thanks! Audrey S. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] **************Stay in touch with ALL of your friends: update your AIM, Bebo, Facebook, and MySpace pages with just one click. The NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000012) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 This year my company holiday party is being combined with another division who did the planning. So when I sent back my RSVP I asked if there was something vegetarian on the menu the person planning the party said she would make sure there was a vegetarian entre for me. In a message dated 12/7/2008 2:45:38 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, joestud469 writes: Best thing I can recommend is just say you have certain food allergies. With me being vegan I have to tell them I have dairy and egg allergies. Also you have to be specific on certain things. Just remember most parties will have a veggie plate and you know what that is just by looking at it. Usually if I am unsure about the menu I will just eat before going. _@vegetarian_gveg_ ( ) , " John Daleske " <john wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > Audrey Snyder > waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell **************Stay in touch with ALL of your friends: update your AIM, Bebo, Facebook, and MySpace pages with just one click. The NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp & icid=aolcom40vanity & ncid=emlcntaolcom00000012) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I found that I even need to ask the waiters in restaurants if the food is really vegetarian. Even something as simple as rice in a Mexican restaurant is often cooked with chicken stock. Sometimes the waiters won't even know so I'm really wary about what I order out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Good tips, Paula -- always ask! I did have a great time -- I did eat before I went, but there was a ton of food there. They had salad and fruit as well as lots of meat appetizers. I didn't find the salad and fruit until later, but ate several mushroom wontons, which were great. I didn't care about the food so much, though -- I got there and found there was a chocolate fountain!!! Between that and the bar, I was set! The chocolate addiction is the reason I don't weight 10 pounds less than I do, but what the heck, it's Christmas! Thanks to everybody for the advice! Audrey S. On Sat, Dec 6, 2008 at 10:25 PM, peej2e2 <johnsontew wrote: > It is best to ask the server what is in the hors d'ourves however > you also need to be vigilant as they can get their information wrong. > > I work in a tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts school (we train > chefs and servers etc). I attended an event put on by our students. > They remembered to record if people were vegetarian and had special > dishes for them (served buffet) which in fact is a given even in a > me*t dominated industry. In fact, they caught me as I was about to > take something that had me*t in it (but didn't look like it did). > Nonetheless one of my students served me an spring roll that was > filled with shrimp. When I asked if it was vegetable she > emphatically said yes. The lighting was dark and I ended up eating > and swallowing a bite that didn't seem quite right. She later found > me and profusely apologised that she had served shrimp. The issue is > that some were vegetarian and others were not. Of course it was her > job to know. > > A potential fatal error for some people! And a sickening error for > others. > > Even before becoming vegetarian I didn't touch shrimp for religious > reasons so it was somewhat devestating for me. > > Anyway, the moral is to ask but also be vigilant. If it doesn't seem > right don't eat it. > > As another aside some of the chefs and professional servers told me > that some people will hide meat in dishes and not tell the customers > so please be extra careful when you go to a restaurant. This also > goes for menus or names of dishes written in another language (e.g., > French). If in doubt...ask! The examples were from up-scale > establishments. > > Paula > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Best thing I can recommend is just say you have certain food allergies. With me being vegan I have to tell them I have dairy and egg allergies. Also you have to be specific on certain things. Just remember most parties will have a veggie plate and you know what that is just by looking at it. Usually if I am unsure about the menu I will just eat before going. , " John Daleske " <john wrote: > > - > Audrey Snyder > waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Well, The hor's doevres usually include salmon cakes, cheese balls (which are mainly potato filled with cheese, crab cakes, and other finger foods. Then there are the obviously vegetarian ones: vegetables with a dipping sauce. The dipping sauce is normally made of sesame oil or the like, or some type of cream/cheese. The name of the hord' doevres tends to give you a good idea of what it's made of. Then there are the mini sandwiches, which I'd really ask about. Simply ask what they have and they'll out and tell you " chicken sandwiches with cheese " , spinach and goat cheese " , etc. They never tell you what the sauce is made of- We once had a big 70 year party at my house and there was this " veggie stir-fry " sandwich.. but the sauce was made with chicken broth. Don't be afraid to ask what exactly is in the sandwich, simply say you're on a no-meat diet. , " Audrey Snyder " <AudeeBird wrote: > > I'm going to a firm party this Sat night, cocktails and hors'doeuvres at > a fancy hotel downtown. I don't go to many events like this! When a > waiter approaches you with a tray of hors'doeuvres, how much do they tell > you about what it is, and how can you politely figure out if it's something > that is acceptable to you as a vegetarian? I want to make a good > impression, don't want to draw attention to myself and refuse all food (but > I will eat before I come), and I definitely don't want a mouthful of > chicken! > > Thanks! > Audrey S. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 I agree--many wait staff tend to be pretty clueless as to what is in food. I have a gluten allergy as well as being a veggie for over 30 years and I just routinely eat before I go. Then, I snack on veggies and fruit. Kathleen I found that I even need to ask the waiters in restaurants if the food is really vegetarian. Even something as simple as rice in a Mexican restaurant is often cooked with chicken stock. Sometimes the waiters won't even know so I'm really wary about what I order out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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