[MR] Public service announcement - Event Reservations

[Olwen the Odd]

>Gentle friends,
>
>If I may take a moment of your time, I would like to bring up something 
>that is (currently) near & dear to my heart, the art of reserving for 
>events.

<<giant snip>>

>Yours in service,
>
>Keilyn
>Coronation Reservationist

Great announcement Keilyn!!  It's true that many do not attend to these 
matters in a timely manner.
I would like to add an addendum to your Public Service Announcement, with 
your leave, of course.
That of responding to the head cook if you have any food issues, PRIOR to 
the event.  This is also not a hard task, yet over and over there is the 
"exception" (that is usually three or four or more) that end up at the 
kitchen door asking things like "does anything contain _______, I'm 
allergic", or "I'm on so-and-so diet, is there anything I can actually 
eat?", or "gee, I wonder if a vegetarian can actually get enough to eat at 
this feast?".
I have food allergies.  If I don't check in first with the cooks then I take 
what comes.  Fortunately for me, my issues are with corn (which shouldn't be 
in the meal anyway), and milk which I can tolerate in small quantities.
Each of us who regularly cook in our own Baronies end up knowing who's 
allergic to what and who is vegan or has religious restrictions and make 
allowance.  But if you are attending a feast outside of your regular 
"cooks", chances are the issues you have will not automatically be taken 
into consideration, especially if they are off the beaten path of possible 
consideration, like wheat, or onions, or garlic, or parsley, or even chicken 
or beef. (who knew someone could be allergic to beef??)
PLEASE!!!  If you have food issues the cooks would LOVE to make 
accommodation for you to give you the most enjoyable of times without making 
you sick or leaving you go home hungry or complaining.

Peace-
Olwen the Odd (and apparently over-thinking tonight!)