Dietary Request Form

Tips for Making Your Dietary Request Work in Practice

A dietary request is only as useful as the detail behind it. Catering teams at large conferences prepare hundreds of plates at once, so the clearer your note, the easier it is for the kitchen to get your meal right. A few practical habits help everyone, from the person filling in the form to the staff serving lunch between sessions.

Be specific about allergies and intolerances

Instead of writing "nuts", say whether you react to peanuts, tree nuts or both, and whether trace amounts or shared equipment are a concern. The same applies to shellfish, sesame, dairy and eggs. If an allergy is severe, say so plainly. Kitchens treat a life-threatening allergy very differently from a preference. Bring your own prescribed medication, such as an adrenaline auto-injector, and tell a colleague where you keep it. The form helps the caterers prepare, but it does not replace your own precautions.

Understand Mexican cuisine on the menu

Guadalajara is the home of dishes such as birria, tortas ahogadas and pozole. Many traditional recipes use lard, meat-based broths or cheese, so food that looks vegetarian may not be. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but flour tortillas, breaded items and some sauces are not. Salsas can also be much spicier than visitors expect. If you are unsure about a dish, ask the serving staff before you take it. Learning a few Spanish phrases, such as sin carne (without meat) or soy alérgico/a a… (I am allergic to…), is useful at the venue and in restaurants around the city.

Submit early and keep your details consistent

Send your request well before the event, ideally when you register. Late changes are harder to accommodate. If you choose a package with lunches or receptions on the registration page, make sure the dietary note matches the name on your badge. Check the program so you know which sessions include catered breaks and when you may need to plan your own meals.

Eating outside the conference

Evenings and free time are a good chance to explore local food. Our guide to nearby places gives an overview of the area around the venue. When dining independently, tell your server about allergies directly, because restaurant kitchens will not have your conference form.