Food Allergies at Flower & Garden Festival

[MermaidJuli]

Hi all! My groups of friends and I love going to any and all things involving food, so we are thrilled about once again attending the upcoming Flower & Garden Festival.

This year, we have one person coming with us who has an allergy to cilantro and will break out in hives if she eats it. It's one of those herbs that often gets sprinkled on top of things to add a little greenery (without actually being mentioned in food descriptions), so we always try to ask chefs or servers to check ingredients before we order something.

Now, we have eaten at WDW restaurants before and I know restaurant staff in the park are so wonderful about dealing with food allergies. However, this is the first time I've had someone with me at one of the festivals who has special needs.

I know food at the booths is usually prepared beforehand, so we won't be asking for any specially-made food or any alterations, we just need to make sure that as we all buy and share items we don't give her anything that would make her sick.

Does anyone know any helpful information about this? I imagine the cast members in the temporary booths don't know as much about the food as someone working in a restaurant with a permanent menu. Will they have binders with ingredients for the food booths? Or if I contact Disney Dining will anyone I chat with have that kind of information to provide over the phone? They released the menus so very late this year that I worry about how much info will be available and when I will be able to find it.

Thank you for any help!

 

[wdwmagic]

Hi all! My groups of friends and I love going to any and all things involving food, so we are thrilled about once again attending the upcoming Flower & Garden Festival.

This year, we have one person coming with us who has an allergy to cilantro and will break out in hives if she eats it. It's one of those herbs that often gets sprinkled on top of things to add a little greenery (without actually being mentioned in food descriptions), so we always try to ask chefs or servers to check ingredients before we order something.

Now, we have eaten at WDW restaurants before and I know restaurant staff in the park are so wonderful about dealing with food allergies. However, this is the first time I've had someone with me at one of the festivals who has special needs.

I know food at the booths is usually prepared beforehand, so we won't be asking for any specially-made food or any alterations, we just need to make sure that as we all buy and share items we don't give her anything that would make her sick.

Does anyone know any helpful information about this? I imagine the cast members in the temporary booths don't know as much about the food as someone working in a restaurant with a permanent menu. Will they have binders with ingredients for the food booths? Or if I contact Disney Dining will anyone I chat with have that kind of information to provide over the phone? They released the menus so very late this year that I worry about how much info will be available and when I will be able to find it.

Thank you for any help!

Each kiosk has an actual chef in there making the food, so they are going to know exactly what is in each dish. Much of it is actually scratch made now in the kiosks. I don't think you will have any problems with your questions. Have a great time!

 

[MermaidJuli]

Each kiosk has an actual chef in there making the food, so they are going to know exactly what is in each dish. Much of it is actually scratch made now in the kiosks. I don't think you will have any problems with your questions. Have a great time!

Wonderful! Thank you so much!

 

[CaptainShortty]

Disney actually takes the same care in developing the menu sheets and binders for the items at the outdoor kitchens as they do the items in the actual restaurants. When you approach your first kiosk just ask to speak to one of the festival food & beverage managers or festival chefs and they will be able to tell you which items are good to go and which ones contain cilantro.

Depending on the item and its preparation they may be able to make alternations so that it is safe to eat however that piece is a little more difficult than if they were in a restaurant because a lot of not prepared inside the actual kitchen.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me. I work very closely with the F&G food and beverage team in my role so I should be able to help! =)

 

[MermaidJuli]

Disney actually takes the same care in developing the menu sheets and binders for the items at the outdoor kitchens as they do the items in the actual restaurants. When you approach your first kiosk just ask to speak to one of the festival food & beverage managers or festival chefs and they will be able to tell you which items are good to go and which ones contain cilantro.

Depending on the item and its preparation they may be able to make alternations so that it is safe to eat however that piece is a little more difficult than if they were in a restaurant because a lot of not prepared inside the actual kitchen.

If you have any other questions feel free to PM me. I work very closely with the F&G food and beverage team in my role so I should be able to help! =)

Thank you so much, CaptainShortty. I really appreciate the help!