American Bakers Cafe

[pukwudgie.livejournal.com]

The recent post about allergies at the new Korean place reminded me of something I've been trying to follow up on for a while. I stopped into American Baker's Cafe (in the old Artifaktori space) the other morning, wanting to try a muffin.
I asked the guy working there (older, European? accent) if any of the muffins had nuts in the them.
No, he replied, everything was baked fresh this morning. Since he seemed not to understand the question, I asked again.
"We have cranberry, blueberry, and chocolate chip," he replied.
Me: Yes, but that is not what I am asking. Are there nuts in the cranberry muffin?
Him: It is cranberry orange.
Me: OK, as long as it is not cranberry walnut.

I purchased the muffin, which was in fact, cranberry nut. I've been looking in every time I passed to see if there is anyone else there who I could talk to, since these days, this seems to be something that food sales people should be able to answer, but I've only ever seen the same guy there, and I don't think I'll be able to explain the problem to him. Does anyone know if anyone else works there?

PS -- the muffin was tasty otherwise

Comments

[justphoenix.livejournal.com]

I've been in there several times and have only seen the same guy. Great eggplant sub but it doesn't help that I'm soft spoken to begin with.

[ron_newman]

wait, you ate it and then found out you were allergic to one of its ingredients? are you OK now?

[pukwudgie.livejournal.com]

Hi Ron -- Yes, I am fine -- I have a mild allergy to walnuts so try to avoid them since in my sibling, this progressed into a more serious allergy to multiple nuts. So not life threatening to me, but could be to someone else. As others have suggested, I'd like to try to get in touch with the manager, but since I've only ever seen the seem guy there, it might be him, which would not be helpful!.

[trowa-barton.livejournal.com]

Maybe he can't afford to hire help?

[bettyw.livejournal.com]

Do they have one of those mandatory signs about "inform your server if you have any ingredient allergies"? That is now as mandatory (https://www.servsafe.com/faqs?product=massachusettsallergens) as ServSafe food production training:



"The Massachusetts Food Allergen Awareness Regulation states that:

"By February 1, 2011, such food establishments [establishments that cook, prepare, or serve food intended for immediate consumption either on or off the premises] shall have on staff a certified food protection manager who has been issued a Massachusetts certificate of allergen awareness training by an allergen awareness training verification program recognized by the Department."

The person in charge should not be confused with the certified food protection manager. The certified food protection manager is the only person required to be certified by one of the MDPH-approved food allergy awareness training vendors. When the certified person is not present at the establishment, another employee must be designated to be the person in charge. The designated person in charge does not need to be certified, but must be knowledgeable about food allergy awareness and have the authority to initiate necessary actions and/or emergency responses.

In addition, all staff must be trained and knowledgeable in food allergy awareness as it relates to their assigned duties."

[crazyanimallady.livejournal.com]

You should definitely get in touch with the owner or manager. They could get into serious trouble and someone could get seriously hurt.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

It would be great if people with food allergies rated their restaurant experiences here: www.allergyeats.com . I have no affiliation with the site, just looking to expand my circle of restaurants that are competent in handling food allergies.

Yelp?

[david sloane (from livejournal.com)]

They may be responsive to a Yelp review (or tip regarding nuts) - see http://www.yelp.com/biz/american-bakers-cafe-somerville (http://www.yelp.com/biz/american-bakers-cafe-somerville)