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Inclusive Menu Design means that everyone can sit at the table and enjoy the same meal together. Simple, right? Accessibility and inclusion at the dining table is a critical mechanism for allowing your friends, family, guests, and patrons to feel seen, heard, and most importantly - cared for.
As someone with lifelong food intolerances - I know, personally, both the stress of a food experience that feels unaccessible, and the joy of a meal that feels well designed and planned. I'm passionate about bringing people together around a table, and helping people to understand the critical importance of Inclusive Menu Design.
I was once in a restaurant in London. When the server asked if we had any dietary restrictions - I told her I was gluten free. She brought me a menu that said something I will never forget...
It's hard enough to live with food intolerances,
let us take care of you.
It was this moment that made me realize that having a food intolerance should not have to feel like an inconvenience....it should be a part of all menu designs from the very start.
Food intolerances can stem from many different sources. It is said that up to 20% of the world's population suffers from a food intolerance. Here are a handful of the most common intolerances:
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Dairy
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Gluten
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Eggs
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Shellfish
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Tree Nuts
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Peanuts
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Wheat
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FODMAPs
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Additives & Chemicals
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Nightshades
Learning to recognize these triggers — along with an awareness of guests’ evolving needs and dietary preferences — brings informed decision-making into your menu planning, easing the pressure during on-site event management.
Our relationship to food is deeply personal. No one should have to explain why they choose to eat or not eat something — whether it’s a lifelong decision or simply how they feel in the moment — or be told what they can or cannot eat. When there’s ease around those choices at the table, it creates more space for connection and for the simple beauty of gathering.
Mastering the quiet art of Inclusive Menu Design leads to a smoother planning process, less stress in the moment, and guests who feel genuinely seen and cared for.
It's my joy to show you how.
