Catering at shows

As a Coeliac (gluten intolerence) I have found catering at shows particularly disappointing, as a result I bring my own sandwiches.

It would be nice to sit down to a hot meal of some sort.

Coeliac disease affects at least 1% of the population, probably greater at the typical age range of our hobby so I guess there are many model engineers out there who have the same problem.

Would be interested to hear from any fellow sufferers and their experience of exhibitions, especially the forthcoming Midlands one.

Bill D

As a non sufferer I had good hot food at the last Midlands Show, a cottage pie and a coffee from memory.

I do however sympathise with you as my Wife has certain problems. Me I am allergic to fish which can narrow the choice in some places.

Hello,

As the organisers of the Midlands Exhibition, can I suggest that you pop us and see the catering team in the mezzanine restaurant at the venue when you arrive and discuss your requirements with them.

They will be very happy to provide a specific meal to meet your dietary requirements. I know of a number of exhibitors and visitors who do this regularly.

Many thanks

Most shows are beholden to what the venue's caterers can supply. These days any good caterer should at least be able to tell you what is in what.

My wife & daughter went to Georgia recently, it was mostly salads for them. Even the Margherita pizza had meat in the tomato sauce...

N.

Went to the Doncaster exhibition this year, let down by the lack of variety of catering offerings, unless I couldn't see the wood for the trees, just a nominal selection of pies, sausage rolls etc. ended up with the usual bacon sarnie & coffee.

George.

Having been to a lot of(mainly car shows) over the last 30 years, I'd like to know when it was decided that we'd all be happy to pay £6 for a slime burger and a can of warm coke?

I've only recently started not self catering as it can be an opportunity for an interesting chat if other diners are not grumpy old sods. At MEX I forked out 5p for coffee and £1.60 for the cup it was in but shared my park bench with two interesting people, one from Manchester and one from Brighton. Also at no additional cost gave a lift to the station to a modeller from Amsterdam.

When we go to the pub at lunchtime now the minimum non-sandwich is hitting £12 +.

As a fellow Coeliac I agree with Bill Dawes. These days it is a requirement for allergens to be listed, but do you trust them? Depends on the quality of the caterer!

Vegeterian ( a lifestyle choice) dishes are usually available but gluten free (a necessity for people with coeliac disease) dishes are frequently not available.

Paul

After past experience of Brooklands catering I was sceptical of the prospects at MEX. In the event we had very good cottage pie served on a warm plate, and found a table at which to eat it. Well done Neil and associates, and I take back what I said.

Mike

Nice to hear from you Paul, I have long since found it extremely frustrating that everywhere you go you can get vegetarian meals which as you say is a lifestyle choice but not GF which is not a choice (apart from the recent GF fad, which will fade away as people start to add up their grocery bills, GF is about 3 to 4 times price)

Still counting my blessings it is much better than when I was first diagnosed 25 years ago.

Tea rooms, restaurants etc seem more geared up than these event caterers, don't know why, it is not rocket science.

As usuall I will be taking sandwiches and probably splash out on a cuppa.

Bill D.,