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About this micro-class
Mormon food etiquette is the set of rules to appropriately plan a menu and manage the dining experience for guests who follow the Mormon religion.
1. Be prepared to tend to Mormon guests
The Mormon religion does not set dietary laws.
The only strict rule forbids the consumption of any foods that contains stimulants, such as caffeine or alcohol.
2. Plan an enjoyable Mormon-friendly menu and dining experience
Avoid traces of forbidden foods and cross-contamination
Follow cooking etiquette principles to cook food safely. Designate specific utensils, cutting boards, and cooking surfaces for Mormon-friendly dishes.
Create a transparent Mormon-friendly menu
Clearly mark all the dishes or items on the menu that are Mormon-friendly, such as stimulant-free. Label them with a recognized symbol or statement. Make detailed ingredient lists available to customers or guests upon request.
Serve each food on its dedicated plate
Allow your guests who follow Mormon principles to pick the foods they can eat and avoid the ones they cannot eat.
Avoid serving multiple foods on the same plate. Instead, try to separate them. Assign a plate to each food or ingredient. Serve condiments and sauces separately from food. Present each food with its serving utensils.
Include Mormon-friendly options for your guests
Some foods present a lower risk of being inappropriate or forbidden. Plan some safe dishes that almost any guest will be able to eat. For instance, baked potatoes or salad are safe options for most guests.
Be open to accomodate special needs of your guests
Offer ingredient substitutions whenever possible to accommodate guests who follow Mormon principles. Be transparent about potential substitutions and any extra costs involved.
Be open to customizing dishes and offering a Mormon-friendly version. Clearly communicate any limitations in customization due to the nature of the dish or kitchen processes.
Avoid foods that may be forbidden by Mormon principles
Meat
Mormons can eat any type of meat. However, the consumption of meat is often limited. According to some accounts, Mormons should avoid meat with large quantities of blood.
Fish and seafood
Mormons normally can eat fish, seafood, and shellfish.
Dairy products and cheese
Milk, dairy products, and cheese are normally included in the Mormon diet.
Eggs and honey
Eggs and honey are widely accepted.
Vegetables, fruits, and tree nuts
The Mormon diet allows all vegetables and fruits.
Grains
Mormons can eat any type of grain, such as rice, pasta, and couscous. The same applies to bakery products, bread, and pizza.
Condiments and sauces
Mormons can normally consume oil, salt, and spices. However, the Mormon diet does not allow vinegar made from wine.
Sweets and desserts
The Mormon diet can include most types of sweets or desserts. Some think that sugar is a stimulant, and thus it must be limited or avoided altogether. However, such a view is not widely adopted.
Drinks and alcoholic beverages
Mormons cannot consume coffee, tea, or alcoholic drinks. Any food or drink that contains stimulants must be avoided.
Mormons do not consume soft drinks that contain caffeine or a similar stimulant. Thus, Coke or Red Bull might not be allowed.
3. Politely ask your Mormon guests about their food restrictions
At home
It is perfect etiquette to ask your Mormon guests about their dietary restrictions. The interpretation and application of the Mormon dietary rules may differ and may include or exclude different foods.
In written formal invitations, it is sufficient to ask guests to inform the hosts about any dietary requirements. In informal invitations, a simple “Do you follow any diet or have any dietary restrictions?” works. Another option is to ask if guests avoid any food.
Never judge or question someone’s dietary restrictions. Avoid asking additional questions, such as why someone follows a diet. Some guests may be uncomfortable sharing their food restrictions.
Hospitality
Hospitality staff should encourage guests to communicate their food allergies or intolerances when making reservations and upon arrival. Servers should ask about food allergies before taking orders, and convey this information to the kitchen.
4. Food etiquette for Mormon guests
Clearly communicate your food restrictions
Clearly state with your host if you have any dietary restrictions.
Do not expect a change in the menu based on your needs. As a guest, you do not want to sound entitled. Instead, you can ask if there may be some Mormon-friendly options for you, such as dishes without some ingredients.
Do not expect the host to accommodate your requests. However, any considerate host will feel compelled to adjust the menu to your needs.
Politely refuse food that you do not eat
If the host serves a type of food that you do not eat, simply avoid it. If the host or another guest explicitly offers such food to you, politely refuse it. It is enough to say “no, thank you”.
Provide additional details only if someone asks you. Be brief and avoid annoying others with your dietary restrictions.
Do not pressure others
Do not expect others to adjust their menu or diet to your dietary restrictions. Similarly, at a restaurant, do not expect the other guests to change their food order.
Mormon food etiquette mistakes
The worst food etiquette mistakes for a host are:
Not accommodating your Mormon guests’ dietary needs.
Using the same kitchenware with different foods.
Asking personal dietary questions.
Using food with stimulants as an ingredient.
The worst food etiquette mistakes for Mormon guests are:
Not communicating your dietary restrictions to the host.