Allergy Companions are committed to building a community of venues and restaurants that all believe in the same principle – anyone dining out with allergies, intolerances or coeliac disease, should be able to enjoy eating a meal out safely and without judgment.
By signing the below Charter, you, as the food venue owner, certify that you believe in and follow the principles outlined by Allergy Companions.
This charter is not a guarantee that any meal will be 100% free from allergens. This charter is a commitment to welcoming and embracing people’s dietary requirements and restrictions to the best of your ability.
Please note: once a venue has signed up as a Full Member, they will be required to specify on the website, AllergyCompanions.com, if their kitchen is totally “free from” any allergens and which allergens they can cater for (“allergen free options and ability to adapt a dish to suit dietary requirements”). This information may change from time to time and the venue is responsible for ensuring this is correct at all times.
Booking process
- Any allergies and intolerances highlighted by the customer at the time of booking (whether by phone or online) are logged on the system or clearly highlighted in the booking system.
- Any questions raised by the customer with regards to allergies are professionally dealt with either by the person taking the booking or by the manager of the venue.
Menu
- The menu either clearly highlights all allergens in each dish, or the restaurant manager is able to explain what each dish contains and how some dishes can be adapted to suit specific allergy needs.
- Although the menu might mention “we cannot guarantee all our dishes will be 100% allergen free” (or similar). We will not use “disclaimers” to suggest the customer is “eating at their own risk”
Chef and kitchen staff
- All staff working in the kitchen are to be made aware of any allergy requirements for a specific table, as soon as the diner/s arrive.
- The senior chef (or deputy on the day) is accountable for ensuring that the food prepared for the person dining with allergies has been prepared carefully and by following food safety procedures to avoid cross-contamination’
- The senior chef or restaurant deputy is happy to speak to the person dining at the venue, should they have any particular concerns that they want to clarify directly with the kitchen
- The chefs, kitchen staff and front of house should all receive food allergen training and regular refresher training to ensure they are able to provide allergen free requests safely.
- The restaurant should have clear food allergen management procedures in place which have been communicated to all team members.
Manager of the venue
- As the Manager of the venue, you will ensure that any table where allergies have been flagged, will be served by you, an “allergy champion” or a designated senior member of staff. All staff must follow the food allergen procedures when preparing and serving meals for a customer with food allergies.
- You will ensure good communication methods are followed between yourself, Front of house staff and chefs/kitchen staff. All allergen free requests must be written down and the Chefs must be alerted. The Food Allergen Management procedures must be followed to ensure the meal is prepared safely and is served immediately to the correct customer.
- Allergy Companions expect you to treat all customers with respect and understanding. When a customer seeks reassurance and asks questions about the menu, ingredients, and allergens, we expect you to answer honestly and accurately. Your patience and support for all customers with specific dietary requests is very important.
- You commit to offering the most enjoyable experience to all customers with food allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease. You will ensure that they are treated with respect.
General Allergy Companions principles
- As the owner of the venue, you commit to always taking food allergies seriously, meaning that anyone eating at your venue should feel safe and well-looked after;
- As the manager of the venue, you commit to ensuring that all staff (full-time and part-time) working in your premises have attended and passed, as a minimum, the Food Standards Agency “food allergy and intolerance online training” in the last 12 months (or Industry standard equivalent).
- Whilst Allergy Companions understand your restaurant may not be “allergen free”, the way your food is prepared follows strict food allergen management procedures at all times.
- You are an Allergy Companions advocate and are proud to be part of this community!
