Sir, – Many thanks to Rose Mary Roche for an excellent article on coeliac dining. (Health+Family, August 7th). I dine out frequently with my wife, who is a coeliac, and would make a number of points.
First, on one occasion when eating out, the server asked my wife “Are you gluten-free or a coeliac?” This is an important distinction, and one which that particular server realised. Therefore, there is an obligation on eating establishments to ensure that their staff are trained in serving gluten-free food.
Second, when, without being prompted by us, a food counter server changes their gloves to serve gluten-free food, we know that the server has been suitably trained.
Third, our local restaurant, here in Rathfarnham, following our guidance, now marks a number of menu choices as “CO”, meaning that they are happy to specifically make a dish coeliac-option on request. We have since seen that designation used in other restaurants as well.
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Finally, with 50,000 coeliacs in Ireland, as mentioned in the article, it would be helpful if restaurant reviewers in our newspapers would occasionally write a review focused on the challenges faced by coeliacs who are simply seeking a nice gluten-free meal out. – Yours, etc,
TONY CORCORAN,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.