Hello. Today I had a call from a member of your staff regarding an afternoon tea which i had booked on Tuesday 10th July. The reason for the call was twofold. In the voicemail message I was told, it was to confirm the booking and also to ask me to contact them regarding my allergies which I had outlined previously.
I rang back almost immediately and was very troubled and upset by the conversation. Apparently, certain foods which i am allergic to might be airbourne in the preparation area and kitchen. We outlined which these were, strawberries, mushrooms, fish and shellfish. I said that as long as I didnt touch these things or injest them that that would be fine. However, I was told that due to the menu being changed, you could not say my food would be soy free, and that 90% of the menu contained soy. How can this be? Which foods traditionally served in an English Afternoon tea contain Soy?
I was told that I needed to write to yourselves accepting the fact that soy would be present in the food or the booking would not be honoured.
Surely this be cannot be the case? This afternoon tea was a gift for my birthday from my best friend and we have waited over 12 months to be able to visit. It was booked weeks ago, and all my allergies were listed and we have been looking forward to it. Yet today 3 days before we are due to travel to London, I am told soy is present in most of the food due to a new menu. I had not seen the original menu but find this information really disconcerting. If Harrods, one of the most well known establishments in England cant provide a meal which does not contain an ingredient which is a very well known allergen, surely there is a problem. I am thoroughly overwhelmed. I dont want to tell my friend I cant go to London with her to celebrate my birthday after all or that if I do go I am going to be hesitant to eat anything, whilst worrying about how much soy is in each element. If it were a small cafe or restaurant, I might be able to understand the limitations, but yoh are Harrods!!! I would be grateful for your comments as soon as possible please. I am so very disappointed and know this has put a taint on the whole day.
