A Manja Wine Music & Art Festival Affair: How to Celebrate a Best Friend's Birthday with Food Allergies
It all began in the summer of August 2013 ... a Woodstock Tribute ... a food, wine, and art event to treasure. A festival held at the St. Helena Classic, Charles Krug Winery. An intimate, talented showcase of food, wine, music, and artwork. And the birthday of one of Manja's dearest childhood friend's.
Ashley Nicolei, Creator of LiveLoveManja, wished to make this birthday affair special for her beautiful and free loving friend. The vibe of a garden party, with the novelty of food trucks, the pleasures of wine tasting and beer tasting, and the bliss of music under a gently lit tree canopy sounded like the perfect affair. Thank you to "Juice Napa" Newsletter for the fantastic suggestion. And to Local Wine events for making the celebration of the arts possible.
We spread out a few lovely picnic blankets, relaxed with a combination of our picnic dinner and food truck selections (the other lovely ladies were able to enjoy the food trucks), and a few delicious bottles of Blanc. We danced under the setting sun, the strung tree lights & paper lanterns, and eventually the summer night stars. Humid and hot, it was the perfect weather and location to celebrate a summer birthday. Music and bands with a woodstock - esque vibe and tribute, we felt like we took a magic time capsule back to the good days of music (of quality, creativity, art, skill). It made our spirits sing!
Vendors dotted the garden party like perimeter. We were surprised to see not only food trucks, wine booths, and beer booths set up, but local art vendors as well. Jewelry, sandals, clothing, footwear, beauty, and painted canvases inspired the inner savvy shopper within. We are pleased to note that all vendors and booths we purchased at accepted both cash and credit cards. So novel! Unlike BottleRock Napa (which we also attended) which used a pre-purchased plastic coin currency - a great idea in theory, but we were stuck with unused coins after the event. So great job ROCKNAPA! Consumer friendly and wallet friendly.
Manja Review:
As a foodie with severe food allergy to tree nuts (all nuts except peanuts which are a legume) it can be difficult to select a venue or event where all participants can let loose and enjoy themselves. Appreciate their natural states, personality, and essence. Celebrate. Bond. Enjoy.
Ashley Nicolei contacted the event coordinator, the lovely Miss Shelby French, prior to the event to inquire about food trucks, catered food, and food allergy friendly options. Shelby gave a prompt response and let us know that she would be talking to the director and getting back to us shortly. Two days before the event, still no word. With a background in event coordinating, Ashley understands how some communications can fall through the cracks and was patient in the delay because of Shelby's genuine and authentic approach to assisting Ashley with the nut allergy and providing information best to her knowledge. Honesty over rides speed in our Critic Book any day. Many thanks to Shelby for your attention.
Due to the late notice, Ashley was not comfortable trusting the information provided in regards to the food trucks and being safe for her nut allergy. She requested that she be able to bring a small cooler with tree nut safe food for herself and a tree nut free dessert for best friend's birthday. Shelby was so sweet to alert the security and will call to Ashley's unique situation and approved a small cooler for her to take to the event (even though outside food was not allowed, this rule was waived due to the medical condition). Such an option and open mindedness is an extremely important factor in delivering exquisite customer experience and in creating an environment that is enjoyable and safe for all guests. With no notes of discrimination, Ashley Nicolei and LiveLoveManja are truly pleased in the production of the event, the event execution, and in the quality of customer care. You have created one loyal foodie/event/client/press relationship here.
Manja How To: How to Plan Attendance with a Severe Food Allergy (s)
Prior to the event, send an email to the Event Coordinator/Director or Head Contact Listed inquiring about the event, food vendors, food handling policies, and your allergy specifics to see if it's even safe to attend.
If safe to attend, inquire about food options. Request to be put in contact with vendors (if you are comfortable or have experience with business relations) and ask them the tough questions yourself, or use the Coordinator/Director/Contact as a middle man to be your translator and get the answers you need. BE PERSISTENT. If you don't feel that you are getting the answers you NEED (not to be confused with want) continue to inquire. Most will do their best to accommodate you because they not only desire you to enjoy their event, they are also genuinely concerned about your safety and the liabilities for the venue/vendors/etc.
If outside food is not allowed, request that you be cleared with security and ticket will call (or whoever is in charge of checking guests in) a small cooler with allergy safe foods you can eat, should the vendors not be able to accommodate you for any reason. Most will waive this rule for you (due to unique medical condition and not doing so would be disability discrimination) unless they cannot for safety code or health reasons.
If you choose to eat at selected vendors (that have been cleared with event contact prior to attendance) please always inquire with the vendor/booth/server directly about ingredients being used in dishes, prep & protocol, cross processing and contamination possibilities, etc. Recipes and dishes can change last minute and may effect their ability to serve you. So please always check directly with the vendor before purchasing. When in doubt, do not consume. The risk is NEVER worth it.
Alert security and event staff to your food allergy (s) and make sure to bring your allergy emergency kit with you, just in case.
Enjoy yourself!
Remember to thank the people that assisted you in making your experience safe and beautiful. They work hard at what they do. Graciousness on both ends is always appreciated and will further cement your client - business relationship.
Manja!
To Contact Event Coordinator for ROCK NAPA, go here.