This week I speak to Heather Landex, a food safety expert who wrote a book during lockdown exploring the world of allergies, intolerances and food exclusions and how the food industry can be more exclusive.
About Heather
“I am a food safety expert and author focusing on the topic of inclusivity. I work with large compliance companies for large chain brands of restaurants. As a food allergy sufferer and vegan myself, I see some terrible things. I have worked and lived across 8 countries consistently exposed to the food service industry as customer, employee and food safety expert, I have unique experience and insight. I wrote my upcoming book in lockdown to help the industry become more dietary preference friendly, aka stop excluding people.“
Allergies and Intolerances
More and more people are allergic or intolerant to certain foods. A severe reaction and near death experience for Heather was the prompt for her to start writing her book.
What does inclusive mean?
Not exclusive!
If restaurants are able to serve everyone in your party, whatever their food preferences, allergies or intolerances then that’s inclusive. Heather wants everyone to be able to go out and eat, without them having to think about where they are going and doing tonnes of research first.
Ask questions
The book is designed to be an educational tool for restaurant owners, and a guide for diners.
Heather encourages us all to ask questions and have that conversation with your server and the chef, so that they understand what your needs are, and you have the best dining experience possible.
Quick fire!
- What is your most positively memorable meal? My pre wedding meal (I got married in Denmark) was a vegetarian buffet at Hitchcocks in Hull.
- What food reminds you of childhood? Mom’s apple pie, which she now makes a vegan version of for me!
- What have you got for tea? Ratatouille with beans.
Heather’s links
Heather’s book launches on 10th May, but you can pre-order your copy and get your special discount by using the links below.
- Crowdfunding link to help Heather raise funds to launch
- To buy a Kindle version (hopefully in print soon) of her BOOK use WENDY at checkout to get your exclusive price.
- YouTube
My links
What do you think of this episode? Let me know!