One of my first jobs was actually working at Chuck E. Cheese’s when it opened in my home town. I was 16, and I did such a good job that I was quickly promoted from party hostess to lead trainer, and it was a lot of fun! I will never forget the day when a mother was having her son’s birthday party there and the birthday boy himself was gluten free. The sweet mother brought in her OWN pizza and cupcake for her son for us to warm up while the guests indulged in the regular Chuck E. Cheese’s fare. Back then, being gluten free wasn’t really that common, and while we didn’t really understand, we accommodated her request so her little guy could have a great birthday party and eat safe food as well!
Now that more and more families are discovering that one or more family members have a gluten intolerance, Chuck E. Cheese’s has taken a great new step to help these families have a fun time AND have yummy Chuck E. Cheese food RIGHT off of the menu!!
My son goes crazy for tokens and tickets at CEC! |
November is Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month, and according to the Wall Street Journal, 1 out of 15 children in the U.S. have some kind of food allergy. With this many children around the country suffering from diet restrictions, like wheat products, Chuck E. Cheese’s is excited to announce the launch of its new gluten-free pizza and cupcake options on the menus of all of its store locations to accommodate guests with special dietary needs.
I know what you’re going to ask right now, because it was my first question, too. Is it REALLY gluten free? Many national chains claim to serve gluten free products, but actually prepare it on the same countertop, use the same oven, and don’t change gloves between pizzas. That so-called gluten-free pizza gets contaminated with gluten before the customer even has a chance to bite in!
If this was your concern, too – DO NOT WORRY! To avoid cross contamination or accidental exposure to gluten ingredients in Chuck E. Cheese’s kitchens, the personal cheese pizza, manufactured by USDA/FDA-approved, gluten-free facility Conte’s Pasta, will arrive to stores in frozen, pre-sealed packaging. The bake-in-bag pizza will remain sealed while cooked and delivered and until opened and served with a personal pizza cutter at families’ tables by the adult in charge.
Not only that, but there is a new Chocolate Fudge Cupcake available, too! Under the same procedure, gluten-free, chocolate fudge cupcakes naturally sweetened with fruits, vegetables and grains from Fabe’s All Natural Bakery will remain in pre-sealed, single-serve packaging through preparation and until opened and served at the table.
Tracey says
OMG that is so exciting! Thanks for posting!!