Eating at a Meeting

When the Rice Isn’t the Issue: A Real Talk on Food Safety, Chef Pushback & Guest Trust
This week, it’s just me—no guest, just the truth.

At a recent event, I was told by a chef that rice—specifically Uncle Ben’s—was the reason a gluten-free option couldn’t be provided. But we’d already discussed that on our prep call. I had asked for gluten-free rice. We agreed. And then… the night of the event? Nothing was gluten-free.

His respons...

This week, I’m talking with Ashley Orr, the powerhouse baker behind Sweet Nothings Bakery and Cafe—a 100% gluten-free bakery operating out of a shared kitchen space.

Yes, you read that right. Shared kitchen. Not a dedicated gluten-free facility.

Sound familiar? For any planner who’s been told by a convention center or hotel that “we can’t do gluten-free,” Ashley’s story is proof that it can be done—with the right knowledge, systems...

What’s on the Menu? Voices of Change in Food Journalism

Food writing is more than recipes—it shapes culture, policy, and the guest experience at every table. In this Eating at a Meeting LIVE episode, I’m sharing clips from two powerhouse conversations recorded at the inaugural Les Dames d’Escoffier M.F.K. Fisher Women in Food & Storytelling Symposium, where Eating at a Meeting served as Media Sponsor.

First up: Toni Tipton-Martin a...

Imagine this: You're out to dinner with your staff. One of them has celiac disease. The server doesn’t know what gluten is. The kitchen isn’t sure either.
That moment? It sparked real change in Illinois.

In this episode of Eating at a Meeting LIVE, I’m talking with State Senator Sally Turner, the powerhouse behind Senate Bill 1288—a bill that could soon make Illinois one of the safest places to dine out if you live with celiac dise...

In this episode, Tracy is joined by Chef Murray Hall, Chef Martha Morgan, and disability rights attorney Laurel Francoeur to discuss an issue that should no longer be happening—venues refusing to provide safe meals for guests with celiac disease.

An event planner recently posted that the kitchen at her event venue “doesn’t accommodate” celiac guests. Not a preference. Not a lifestyle. A medically necessary dietary need—and still be...

As May—and Food Allergy Awareness and Celiac Disease Awareness Month—wraps up, I’m delighted to bring you a truly impactful conversation with Claire Beach, Catering Director at Azura Events in London. Claire is a passionate advocate for inclusive and sustainable event planning, drawing deeply from her own lived experiences as a gluten-free, neurodivergent attendee. In this candid episode, we explore what it actually means to get gl...

At the end of Food Allergy and Celiac Disease Awareness Month this May, I was thrilled to chat with Benji Koltai, co-founder and CEO of Galley. 

On this episode, Benji brings his personal journey with Crohn’s disease and gluten intolerance, pairing it with his tech expertise to revolutionize food safety from the inside out. We dive deep into what “recipe first, people always” truly means—exploring how a digital recipe system transf...

How do we truly build community through food? In this episode of Eating at a Meeting, I'm joined by two inspiring professionals—Jenny Ng, Event Planning Senior Manager at National Co-op Kosher, and Rachel, General Manager & Food and Beverage Director at a locally-focused hotel restaurant—to unpack this very question.

Fresh from my presentation at MPI Minnesota, we dive into what it means to connect people using food and beverage, a...

In honor of both Food Allergy Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, I was thrilled to welcome Amanda Whitehouse, licensed psychologist, food allergy anxiety and trauma expert, host of the Don’t Feed the Fear podcast, and a devoted food allergy mom, to Eating at a Meeting.

Amanda and I dove into the rarely-discussed intersection of food allergy safety and mental health. Too often, we focus on labeling foods and avoiding...

How does being a food allergy mom change how you plan an event menu?

This week, I’m talking with two powerhouse planners—Colleen M. Earley, CMP, HMCC and Jessica Hiemenz-Woodbury, CMP, CMM, DES—who are blending personal experience with professional expertise to reshape how we think about food at events.

Both are long-time event pros. Both are moms. Both know what it’s like to sit at a banquet table hoping the kitchen gets it right—...

During Food Allergy Awareness Week this year, I was joined by veteran meeting planner P. Christine Poole, CMP—someone who knows firsthand how a single overlooked ingredient can turn a meal into a medical emergency.

With more than 20 years of experience planning conferences for state, regional, and national associations, Christine has a sharp eye for logistics, hospitality, and detail. But after developing an adult-onset pine nut al...

What does it really take to feel safe, heard, and included when you’re dining with celiac disease? In honor of Celiac Awareness Month, this episode of Eating at a Meeting brings real talk—and real solutions—to the table with two powerhouse advocates: Kayla King (@celiacwithkayla) and Gabby Hemond (@noglutengabby).

Kayla is a certified nutrition coach, Restaurant Growth Lead at Fig, and founder of the MyM...

When it comes to creating unforgettable experiences behind the bar, few have done it better — or longer — than Rob Husted. With nearly three decades of experience in bartending, mixology, flair, and education, Rob is a force who's helped shape beverage programs and trends across the globe.

Tracy had the chance to meet Rob at Catersource earlier this year, just as he was preparing to deliver his Batch Perfect: Elevating Events with ...

On this episode of Eating at a Meeting, I welcome Addie Lao, a courageous nine-year-old food allergy advocate, and her mom, Dr. Robin Lao, a pediatric nurse practitioner from Sacramento, California. Together, these two inspiring women are leading the charge for safer dining experiences in California with their coauthored California Senate Bill 68 — the Addie Act.

We dove deep into their journey: from the transformative moment of Ad...

Tea is having a moment—and it's long overdue.

In this week's episode of Eating at a Meeting, I’m joined by Amy March, executive chef and co-founder of The Steeping Room and Urban Tea House, to talk about why tea deserves a starring role on your event menu. 

With over two decades of experience in specialty tea, culinary arts, and holistic health, Amy brings the perfect blend of insight and inspiration for planners looking to serve m...

What a month it’s been! As Women’s HERStory Month comes to a close, I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap it up than with a conversation that’s redefining inclusivity in food and beverage. Laura Silverman, founder of Zero Proof Nation and Booze Free in DC, is leading the charge in the non-alcoholic beverage movement, proving that choice and inclusion belong at every table.

With 17+ years of sobriety, Laura’s journey is deeply pe...

This Women’s HERStory Month, I’m celebrating trailblazing women who are reshaping the way we think about food, community, health, and inclusion on the Eating at a Meeting Podcast.

This week, I’m introducing you to Jin-Ya Huang—a social entrepreneur, artist, and community leader using food to break down barriers and build bridges.

A social practice artist turned “accidental entrepreneur,” Jin-Ya is the founder of Break Bread, Break ...

In celebration of Women’s HERStory Month, I’m honored to highlight Femeika Elliott, a powerhouse in food justice, maternal health, and community empowerment, on the Eating at a Meeting podcast.

How do we reclaim access to fresh, nutritious food and create healthier futures for our communities?

Femeika is on a mission to transform food justice, maternal health, and sustainability in Knoxville and beyond. As the founder of Meik Meals...