How to Confidently Discuss Cross-Contamination with Restaurant Chefs

Dining out with food allergies or dietary restrictions requires vigilance—especially regarding cross-contamination. While the mm food app instantly translates menus and flags safe dishes, discussing your needs directly with the chef adds a critical layer of safety. Here’s how to approach this conversation effectively:

1. Plan Ahead:
   • Use mm food to translate the menu beforehand. Identify potentially safe dishes so you can ask specific questions.
   • Call the restaurant during off-peak hours to speak with the chef or manager. Avoid busy meal rushes for thorough discussions.
2. Communicate Clearly:
   • State restrictions plainly: "I have a severe dairy allergy. Could your grilled fish be cooked separately from butter?"
   • Mention cross-contamination vectors: shared fryers, grills, cutting boards, utensils, or garnishes.
3. Ask Proactive Questions:
   • "Do you use separate prep areas for allergen-free meals?"
   • "Could my dish be prepared first to avoid contact with allergens?"
4. Leverage mm food During the Talk:
   • Show the app’s translated menu and dietary flags to clarify your needs. Highlight dishes the AI identified as "likely safe" so the chef can verify ingredients and prep methods.
5. Stay Calm and Appreciative:
   • Thank the chef for their attention. A respectful tone encourages cooperation. If they cannot accommodate you safely, use mm food to find another restaurant instantly.

Remember: Chefs value guest safety and appreciate clarity. Pairing your conversation with mm food’s AI insights transforms dining from stressful to secure.

Bonus Tip: Enable mm food’s "Chef Notes" feature to generate a printable kitchen note in the local language summarizing your restrictions.