Dealing with food intolerances and allergies

[hilly1gh]

Hi everyone,

 

For medical reasons, I eat a strict gluten-free diet.  I booked my wedding at The Royal Playa del Carmen because I had read a review from a fellow Celiac who said the resort went out of their way to make sure her meals where gluten-free.  I have asked about a gluten-free wedding cake, which they said they can do, but I'm very nervous about how it will taste.  Has anyone had a gluten-free cake made in Playa del Carmen and would recommend the baker?  I'm actually a pastry and arts student and can definitely make my own gluten-free cake, but I'm nervous about how I would ever get it to Mexico (I live outside Washington DC).

 

In addition, my sister is deathly allergic to shellfish - I know, why on earth did I choose a caribbean wedding!  I just wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with the shellfish allergy at The Royal or local establishments in Playa del Carmen.  What have your experiences been?  I have emailed my contact at the hotel and am hoping to arrange a meeting with the Food & Beverage Director upon my arrival.  Unfortunately this will be three days before the wedding, so we're kind of stuck at that point.

 

Thanks for any advice!

Erin

[heavenone]

I hadn't even thought about food allergies! My FH is deathly allergic to mushrooms and stubbornly hasn't bothered to get a new epi pin (in YEARS). Guess I'll be adding that to the wedding to-do list. I can't help answer your questions but thank you so much for bringing this up!!

[TropicLover]

Hey ladies!

 

I don't have any food allergies and I'm not sure how a gluten free cake would be, however a guest of mine is allergic to nuts, eggs and shellfish.  He's been to a number resorts in Mexico (Iberostar, Eldorado, Barcelo, etc.) and he said they were amazing at ensuring he was well taken care of.  I'm sure if you tell the resort the severity of her allergy they'll do everything they can to help you out.

[Lizzdee]

I am not getting married at you resort, but i am kind of dealing with the same thing...We have a vegan, a vegetarian, 7 people who dont eat shellfish (kosher), and one little girl who is deathly allergic to fish, sesame, and un cooked eggs. I am getting married in Jan, so i just made sure i gave my TA plenty of time to get extra menu options to accomodate everyone at our dinner. The rest of their stay at the resort is thier problem, lol.... People will always have alergies and dietary restrictions and i generally thinks AI resorts know this and have enough options available to make everyone happy

[hilly1gh]

Hi Ladies -

 

This is the response I received from my coordinator at the Royal Playa del Carmen:

 

 

Dear Erin, good morning,

 

According to your request, I sent your mail to our General Manager in Playa del Carmen.

 

This concern is very important since many of our restaurants serve shrimp and other kinds of seafood in its usual menu. Because the Restaurant Pelicanos (beach) is an open kitchen to the dining room, honestly it is impossible for one person does not notice the smell, especially a person who unfortunately has an allergy so severe.

 

All food, for its own sanitation have its own process (cutting boards, knives, preparation), preventing cross contamination and therefore each product is cooked in individual containers.
Below is the link Checksafetyfirst, international company that performs a monthly inspection of hygiene without prior notice, to be governed in HACCP and European standards.

 

http://www.checksafetyfirst.com/hotel.php?Id_Hot=1067&Id=0&selectCountry=0&selectRegion=0

 

We really understand this situation is extremely worrying but the hotel can not guarantee that it is free to odors of crustaceans during her stay......Our quality of hygiene is the best in Mexico and if we are concerned about the risk that the guest can get sick by the mere smell of crustaceans, which is virtually inevitable.
what we can do it is provide you, our Food and Beverage Manager´s email....Luis Ake and he will be glad to assist you, trying to avoid any possible incident, but I as mentioned before, the hotel is not in a position to guarantee this.

 

Thank you in advance for your comprehension.

 

She later emailed me to say she has forwarded our emails to the Food and Beverage Manager, although I have not heard from him yet.