# Convention menu dilemma **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [February 26, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384 "2023-02-26T02:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/21 "2023-02-26T03:11:35Z")
Well, those are the rules. I wish you good luck. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/22 "2023-02-26T03:18:50Z")
WTF happened to us? Humans used to be able to eat anything they could catch. Now they can’t eat almost anything that can’t even run away. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/23 "2023-02-26T03:20:15Z")
Don’t want to get into that here-perhaps a new thread? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/24 "2023-02-26T03:31:56Z")
Chicken appears to work as the main ingredient in one dish (excluding passive-aggressive pancreas guy). Roasted vegetables? Sweet potato, eggplant, broccoli, red onion and olive oil and salt and black pepper all look okay - vegan, easy to make, visually attractive. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/25 "2023-02-26T03:34:26Z")
**@Czarcasm** Is there a Whole Foods nearby? Or a natural foods coop? They might be able to give you some good ideas, plus supply reliably sourced foods. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/26 "2023-02-26T03:54:40Z")
Provide a variety of food. Put a label next to each listing what they’re made of or potential allergens. People can see what they’re getting and choose appropriately. Poeple don’t expect to be able to eat every dish, but in my experience at green rooms/con suite, people appreciate that you have something that fits their needs. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/27 "2023-02-26T03:56:07Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Chicken appears to work as the main ingredient in one dish (excluding passive-aggressive pancreas guy). Pancreas guy stated that poultry is OK. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/28 "2023-02-26T04:30:44Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Pancreas guy stated that poultry is OK. Ah, great. Given the heavy restrictions on spices, how about chicken breasts simply roasted with oranges? I think garlic, basil, onion, sugar, soy sauce, olive oil are all okay. Again, easy to make and the the oranges make it visually attractive. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/29 "2023-02-26T05:08:51Z")
Pancreas guy ruled out alliums (such as garlic). He’s going to be the really challenging one, isn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/30 "2023-02-26T05:09:19Z")
Might be beyond my capabilities. Remember-I’m working with a suite and a spare room-no kitchen facilities. Most foods will probably have to be pre-packaged, microwave heated at best. Cans and bottles of sodas and waters, snack\s that won’t kill or injure the guests, veggie trays with no peppers etc. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/31 "2023-02-26T05:27:44Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > no kitchen facilities Ah. It might have been helpful if you had explained that. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/32 "2023-02-26T05:32:22Z")
I thought I had in the OP- > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Understand that I will be operating out of a large suite and an adjoining room Also, the hotel frowns heavily on us cooking food when they have restaurants on the premises. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/33 "2023-02-26T05:41:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I thought I had in the OP- Well, when you’re talking preparing food, I think you could have been a lot more explicit that you meant you won’t have access to a kitchen. But maybe that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/34 "2023-02-26T05:48:19Z")
Huh. I once assisted with a combination green room/staff lounge and the suite had a tiny kitchenette in it. With that plus an array of crockpots we put out three meals a day for four days. The hotel had no problem with that _but_ absolutely no food or drink could leave the suite. Except for offering the standard vegan alternative with each meal, the biggest PITA was ensuring we had an ample supply of almond milk on hand. That was all one guest would drink, and I mean _all_ – most unusual for a writer. I feel for you. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/35 "2023-02-26T06:01:28Z")
Not serving on-site cooked food seems to make it easier to me. Veggie trays, hummus, cold cut trays with cheeses and breads to make sandwiches. Keep it all separated enough and and let the people pick out of it what they can eat. Basically just provide the ingredients for people to feed themselves according to their own needs. If there’s an expectation for hot food, maybe several different soups including a vegetarian option including a chicken & veg soup for Pancreas Person. Otherwise they can eat chicken/turkey slices and whatever veggies off the tray they can handle. Don’t cook any soups with alliums or capsicums. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/36 "2023-02-26T06:06:42Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Not serving on-site cooked food seems to make it easier to me. Me too, and I’ve done everything from three full meals and a midnight hot snack, to bags of chips and cans of soda. It all depends on two things: 1. What the hotel contract will allow, and 2. What the budget will allow. And it is NEVER the same way two years in a row. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/37 "2023-02-26T06:08:32Z")
This is the sort of thing I find ChatGTP pretty good at digesting and spitting out some ideas to chew through. I think all these are pretty decent in terms of generating ideas. > [@](#): > > - Vegan lentil soup with rice (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Nut-free) > - Grilled vegetable skewers with lemon and herb marinade (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan) > - Grilled chicken breast with rosemary and garlic (Gluten-free, Dairy-free) > - Rice noodles with stir-fried vegetables and tofu (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan) > - Mixed greens salad with grilled chicken or tofu, avocado, and a citrus vinaigrette (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free) > - Grilled salmon with lemon and herbs (Gluten-free, Dairy-free) > - Gluten-free pasta with tomato sauce (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan) > - Grilled portobello mushroom burgers (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan) > - Baked sweet potato fries (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Nut-free) > - Roasted root vegetables (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Nut-free) > - Vegan chili with brown rice (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Nut-free) > - Vegan shepherd’s pie with mashed cauliflower (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Nut-free) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/38 "2023-02-26T06:18:44Z")
Uhhh, no, for reasons already stated. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/39 "2023-02-26T07:02:32Z")
Are there takeout places near you? I mean decent ones, not burger places. If you check out their menus you might get a decent selection. Oddly, we found last October that the Disney hotels in Anaheim were no longer doing room service or catering to rooms, and encouraged you to either order from the Downtown Disney restaurants or take stuff in from Costco. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384/40 "2023-02-26T07:13:18Z")
I read the OP and thought the list was generated from one guest. My favorite was the solid olive allergy. Maybe the pimento counteracts whatever allergic reaction a solid olive would cause? Good luck, @Czarcasm. I truly wonder how many of your guest are making your life more difficult by placing their food aversions on a list of allergies, but there’s not a whole lot you can do other than take their statements at face value. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convention-menu-dilemma/980384.md?page=3)