A gluten-free vegetarian's awkward problem

Katzen says that you could probably enjoy a perfectly good gluten-free vegetarian dinner composed entirely of the side dishes offered to other guests. She responded, "You should let the hosts know that you have a simple request for dinner and ask them if they would prefer that you go through them or communicate it directly to the caterer. If you stress that it's a simple, one-sentence request ('I'd like my dinner to be an assortment of lacto-ovo vegetarian, wheat-free side dishes.') I think the hosts won't mind passing that along. Plus, the caterer will appreciate knowing. It will make her/his job much more straightforward."

Once this request is made, let it stand. Do not follow up or make another inquiry. If at the event your meal does not arrive, do not worry the couple about it and simply do your best to deal with what you're served.