Eating at a Meeting

Global Perspectives on Creating Safe, Inclusive, and Sustainable Dining

Eating at a Meeting explores how food and beverage impact our lives, focusing on safety, inclusivity, and sustainability. Host Tracy Stuckrath talks with global experts to share practical insights on creating dining experiences that are thoughtful and transformative. Ideal for meeting planners, caterers, and anyone interested in the intersection of food, culture, and community.

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Recent Episodes

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Feeding Gluten-free — How the Events Industry Can Support Gluten-free Food Equity
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June 22, 2026

Feeding Gluten-free — How the Events Industry Can Support Gluten-free Food Equity

If your food pantry’s shelves don’t reflect the needs of 21 million gluten-free Americans—or you assume guests will ‘just figure it out’—it’s time for a reality check. This episode reveals why transparency, education, and intentional sourcing are the keys to serving every member of your community safely and affordably.Carla Carter, Director of Education & Programs at the National Celiac Association, shares practical insights from decades on the front lines of gluten-free advocacy. Discover t
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Designing Allergy-Friendly Menus Everyone Will love w/ Chef Karen O'Connor
370
June 8, 2026

Designing Allergy-Friendly Menus Everyone Will love w/ Chef Karen O'Connor

Practical Strategies for Safer, Inclusive Catering—From Menu Design to Kitchen SOPsEver wondered how top caterers seamlessly deliver allergy-friendly menus that make everyone feel included? Executive Chef Karen O’Connor reveals the behind-the-scenes systems and philosophy driving one of Toronto’s most celebrated catering teams, Daniel et Daniel Catering & Events. From nut-free kitchens to detailed signage and collaborative menu design, discover the culinary and operational secrets that can p
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How Event Planners Can Save Lives: A Food-Allergic Guest’s Perspective
369
June 1, 2026

How Event Planners Can Save Lives: A Food-Allergic Guest’s Perspective

If you walk into a restaurant or an event and hear, ‘Oh, it should be fine,’ this episode is your reality check. Hear what really happens when ‘normal’ isn’t safe—straight from someone who’s navigated 30+ food allergies for decades. You’ll learn why transparency before, during, and after the meal saves lives, and discover powerful steps to make every guest at your event seen, safe, and actually included.”Tracy welcomes Lindiwe Lewis—UK-based founder of Behind the Allergy, living with 30+ ana
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Off-Premise Catering and Food Allergies: Why Event Safety Requires More Than Menu Labels
368
May 25, 2026

Off-Premise Catering and Food Allergies: Why Event Safety Requires More Than Menu Labels

If you think menu labels are enough to keep guests with allergies safe at your next off-site event, think again. This episode reveals why event safety is about more than just what’s on a card—and how off-premise caterers can transform both hospitality and health outcomes with intentional planning, staff culture, and real collaboration with planners. You’ll hear actionable ways catering teams prep for the unexpected, ensure everyone from kitchen to service is looped in on every restriction, and d
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How THE UK Events Industry Is Standardizing Dietary Needs Management
367
May 18, 2026

How THE UK Events Industry Is Standardizing Dietary Needs Management

If you think dietary management is only about collecting meal preferences on a registration form, think again. This episode reveals how a collaborative UK task force is transforming the way events keep guests safe—from implementing legal dietary definitions to ensuring a trained champion is always on hand.You’re responsible for 60 events a year, each with members, children, and high‑stakes dietary risks. Hear why UK organizers say it’s time to put egos aside—and put attendee safety first.
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Food Allergy & Celiac Awareness: Raising the Bar for Safer, Inclusive Events
366
May 11, 2026

Food Allergy & Celiac Awareness: Raising the Bar for Safer, Inclusive Events

If you’ve ever wondered why hotels still serve nut muffins at a "nut-free" event or why gluten-free attendees secretly dread the buffet, this episode unpacks exactly where things go wrong—and how you can set a new standard for safety and inclusion at your next gathering. Hear candid stories, latest allergy stats, and the must-know laws reshaping food and beverage for everyone.
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About the Host

Tracy Stuckrath Profile Photo
Tracy Stuckrath

Founder and Host

Dietary Needs Expert. Meetings Industry Changemaker. Certified Special Events Professional. Tracy Stuckrath works with organizations and meeting planners worldwide to create safe, sustainable, and inclusive F&B events that deliver experiences where everyone feels valued. Every guest matters. Every meal matters.

Founder of thrive! meetings & events, and the Eating at a Meeting podcast, Tracy has had a 30+year career as an event professional. After being diagnosed with a food allergy, she changed the trajectory of her career in 2009 to help clients establish best practices, mitigate risk, improve experiences, and increase profit with the food and beverage they serve.

She has co-authored two books, published over 100 articles, and is recognized as a meeting and event industry leader, including Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry and a Top 500 Event Professionals in North America.