by Kim Koeller and Robert La
France
We’ve all experienced anxiety at one point or another when dining at a restaurant while having to adhere to special dietary requirements. Remember the first time you told a waiter that you could not eat gluten? How did that go over? Luckily, there has been significant improvement in the general awareness and understanding of celiac / coeliac and the gluten-free diet; yet dining in restaurants continues to be a major issue for those living a gluten-free lifestyle.
In an effort to bridge the gap between gluten-free guests and the restaurants who serve them, GlutenFree Passport® and AllergyFree Passport® have sponsored a ground-breaking three-dimensional research study: Understanding Gluten and Allergen-Free Experiences of Guests & Hospitality Worldwide. Released at The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant and Hotel/Motel Show in Chicago, the study’s focus is on the eating out and travel experiences of customers living with celiac / coeliac and the gluten-free diet, guests managing food allergies, and the food service and hospitality professionals who cater to these individuals. The primary purpose of the 90-day benchmarking study is for guests and hospitality professionals to begin to understand each others’ experiences and improve the dialogue between both sides of the table.
In recognition of celiac / coeliac and food allergy awareness initiatives occurring around the world, coupled with one of largest hospitality conference with over 70,000 attendees from 100-plus countries, the survey was launched in May and ends the 31st of August, 2007. Since safely eating out is cited as one of the top concerns for those managing special diets, this research will provide a 360 degree view of consumer and business experiences. With guests, hospitality professionals and communities working together—celiac / coeliac, food allergies and special diets can become universally understood and accepted everywhere!
 How to Participate
To maximize the study’s impact on a worldwide basis, it is essential that a large number of respondents participate in the study by completing one of the three unique surveys that best describes your point-of-view. The surveys focus on individuals following special diets, restaurant professionals and other food service provider. To be a part of the Understanding Gluten and Allergen-Free Experiences of Guests & Hospitality Worldwide study, individuals and businesses can share their experiences by going to the home page of GlutenFree Passport® and clicking on the appropriate link. Alternatively, the study can be accessed by visiting the following websites:
www.glutenfreeexperiences.com for celiacs / coeliacs and the gluten / wheat intolerant
www.allergenfreeexperiences.com for those managing food allergies
www.allergenfreeguests.com or www.glutenfreeguests.com for hospitality & food service professionals.
Each survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. All feedback is confidential and will not be shared with any third party. Only one submission per e-mail address will be accepted.
Upon successful submission and if requested; respondents will receive complimentary eating out educational materials and be entered into various prize drawings. In addition, in the fall of 2007, an electronic Executive Summary of key findings will be sent to you if requested.
It is our hope that this study will ultimately empower individuals with the knowledge to safely and confidently live a better quality of life. At the same time, businesses can leverage the empirical data to justify new programs and services addressing this underrepresented portion of the global population. We feel that understanding each others’ point-of-view is the key to improving dining and travel experiences for those following special diets. By voicing your opinions through the study, your thoughts will help drive the change needed for millions of individuals managing a gluten-free diet!
Kim Koeller and Robert La
France are President and Executive Vice President of GlutenFree
Passport®. They are internationally recognized speakers,
global consultants and co-authors of the award-winning Let’s
Eat Out! Your Passport to Living Gluten and Allergy Free
book series. This innovative series is the winner of the Best
Language Guide and 4-time award finalist
for Best Health & Diet, Best Health & Wellness, Best
Travel Guide and Best First Book Non-Fiction. For more information
and free educational materials, please visit http://www.glutenfreepassport.com.
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