AIBU about not allowing outside food in restaurant?

[Gnomesrule]

I own a restaurant with play area. We do not allow people to bring their own food. Many reasons including allergies, food poisoning etc and also there is a restaurant so we cater for all food requirements. We do have parties and allow people to bring birthday cakes only, but they are cut and wrapped by us and not eaten on the premises.

We have more and more people bringing their own food especially for unofficial parties etc. Many even leave the wrappers for us to clear, plus mash it into the carpets etc. We recently even had a parent cracking peanuts who was shocked when we told them that it wasn’t allowed (we don’t sell food containing nuts).

Would you find it an unreasonable request to be asked not to eat outside food in a place that has a restaurant?

Also if you held an unofficial party would you find it unreasonable to be charged to have your cake cut and wrapped for you?

I would say the cake cutting charge depends on whether you offer birthday cakes as part of your party package. If you do sell birthday cake I think it's understandable, as you're running a business and are naturally going to want people to not bring in outside food at all.

You can't charge for cake if people can't eat it there! What costs are you covering if people aren't using crockery etc?

Presumably the staff member who cuts the cake is paid for doing it?

I suppose the cake is brought out and people sing Happy Birthday, then if the guests are to have a slice, it has to be cut on the premises. The alternatives are either no cake at the party, or the cake is taken away uncut and guests don't get a slice.

You are totally not being u reasonable to stop food going in.

Could you charge for a birthday cake and allow them to then eat the cake there?

There are signs up at a soft play here saying no cakes are allowed, as people are just going and not booking the party officially to save money.

A few play cafes have gone bust around here, the food sales needed to boost profits and people constantly taking their own in.

I'm more than happy to buy food at the places because I want the facilities.

We've been given a knife before to cut it ourself and took our own napkins/ kitchen roll. Or you could tell them they can blow out the candles but they have to rebox the cake and take it with them

A lot of people just behave as though rules don’t apply to them.

Only thing to do is to be completely clear and consistent. Anybody who brings in their own food has to put it away or leave, no exceptions. You’ll get some stroppy types but hopefully word will spread and people will take your rules more seriously.

Own cakes are usually allowed if you've booked a party somewhere, this is just arranging to meet friends there and taking a cake.

My DS is allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts so we do take food for him. If your restaurant catered for that, I would be delighted but we tend to find that places don't cater for combinations of allergies - e.g. there might be a dairy free option but it has eggs in etc

I used to take snacks when DS was very little, like rice cakes, but apart from that I've never taken my own food to a restaurant.

If I was ever in the situation where I felt I needed to because of an allergy or other medical issue I would phone in advance and ask if it were ok.

Why can't they eat the cake there if they have paid cake-age (new word for me)? Where are they supposed to eat it once you've cut it?

I think it’s rude to take food to a restaurant but if the young girl had not purchased a Pret wrap she would still be alive. Not prets fault but I can see not allowing someone with anaphylactic reaction to bring in safe food might exclude them. I’d expect a call beforehand to discuss though.
I’ve often taken birthday cake for adults/older children to restaurants but then we’ve usually spent a significant amount on meals and drinks. Most restaurants are happy to serve cake instead of pudding. I wouldn’t pay anyone to cut and wrap it. I’d do it myself.

Who does this?

Depends if the someone has a specific dietary requirement. For example could you cater for a ketogenic diet that was used for medical purposes? Such as seizure control. These diets are extremely strict and every detail has to be specific and measured accurately.

OP doesn't charge to cut the cake,,,,yet. Suppose that is an option as if they have cake they won't order dessert

And I don't mean the odd one or two with alleegies etc, I mean the obvious groups of people that just think 'fuck it' and go and sit in a restaurant with their own food.

Incredibly anti-social and rude.

So rude to take food into a restaurant without good reason. Who even does that?

I do think it’s a bit odd to charge to cut and wrap cake and they’re not allowed to eat it. Do they have to go and stand in the street to eat it? If they take it home then what was the point in bringing it. I’d rather get a knife and cut and serve myself.

Presumably the staff member who cuts the cake is paid for doing it?

Generally restaurant staff are paid hourly, not by individual task.

I don’t think I would bother with a restaurant that wanted to charge me for the cake to be honest. If I wanted to take a cake, I’d probably just find somewhere else (plenty of restaurants that don’t charge). Also don’t think I’ve ever been to a restaurant and had birthday cake where the waitress didnt also send a knife and tea plates out so people could have a slice there and then if they fancied it. Not allowing people to eat the cake in the restaurant would also put me off.
So my recommendation would be to let people know up front (about both) so they can make the decision.

Perfectly reasonable not to let outside food be consumed on site, although I think you are being a bit mean about the cake.

I don’t agree at all that somebody with a special diet should be allowed to bring their own food into a restaurant! The restaurant then loses a seat to somebody who doesn’t buy food, and has to clean up after them which takes staff time, it’s not fair on the restaurant at all.

I’m gluten free, and on another forum chatted to somebody with a really severe gluten allergy. She said there’s a local restaurant her family loves which has agreed to charge her £10 cover charge, which gives her a drink and they’ll reheat her own food for her so that she can eat with her family. That’s a great idea if somebody has a genuine allergy/medical need.

Well is it a play place with a restaurant - because then people are predominantly there to play. I've taken in my own food to places for DS because I can't afford to buy food there, once I've paid the entry.

Parties with candles I can see the issue then you just have to say no, unless the party area is booked in officially.

Can you have a sign able candles and the fire alarm? I know it must be hard because people will pull on your heart strings as it's a birthday. But I fully expect to be told off when I take food in. I run the risk of being caught. I would never take in nuts, or expect to light candles.

Yes I used to take my own food when on a low dismal diet as no one could really cater for it. I might ask for an evening meal but not for daytime usually. Also my son was v picky (Aspergers)and lactose intolerant so often a restaurant wouldn't do something that he could both eat and would eat!

I think you need to be considerate of the above as eating out is actually a fucking nightmare when you have the above issues. I don't want to take my own food and would rather have the joy of just eating something on the menu but taking my own is just the easier option for everyone (restaurant included). A lot of restaurants make a big fuss and are obviously annoyed by the complexity of my diet. Which is frankly embarrassing and I don't want to be left out either by not attending at all.

Most places allow cake if a group have had a meal. Obviously not if they have just had a few drinks.
And whenever I have been somewhere where someone has brought a cake, someone at the table cuts it up. You dont need to get staff to do that.

YANBU.

The only exception would be people with severe allergies or food intolerances should be allowed to bring their own food (e.g. coeliac), unless you specifically cater for those too.

Not taking your own food to a restaurant is just good manners. I do question what the point is of having a birthday cake if you can't eat it. That sounds a bit bonkers to me.

Minimum You go to resaturants and take food for both you and your DS. I think that is incredibly cheeky.

Reasonable to ban outside food or place restrictions as you see fit.

Most places that host birthday parties let people bring a cake and eat it on-site. Why on earth are you wrapping it to-go? I have never been charged a fee for serving my cake at a play place birthday because that is included in the fee I paid to host the party in the first place.