Do you have a food intolerance or allergies? Than you know just how difficult and stressful it can be eating out or going to dinner parties. Ruth felt exactly the same way when her son was suddenly diagnosed with a series of intolerances and allergies due to a tick bite. She was shocked to discover that there was not a product on the market to

yum. Gluten Free: Hi Ruth! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi everyone! I am a mum of two, LuLu who is six and York who is four years old. I run a small business called Macaron Madness where I make macrons and other sweet treats for birthdays, wedding and celebrations.  Prior to having children I worked at Coca-Cola Amatil where I was a Customer Marketing Manager.

My return to work date turned out to be the day that York was due to be born so I resigned my position at Coke and fell into baking macarons purely by accident.

When York was three years old he was bitten by a tick and was subsequently diagnosed with the Alpha Gal Mammalian Meat allergy, along with allergies to eggs, almonds and dairy. This changed the way we looked at food, eating and all social engagements which included food… which is most of them!

ygf: Wow… that would have been so hard for the whole family? How did this kick off your business?

After York’s allergy diagnosis I became a world class interrogator. I questioned friends on every ingredient used and I was suddenly aware of how many of my friends had food intolerances or allergies and would wait for hosts to reappear to check the ingredients for each platter. I began looking for ways to communicate what was being served and more importantly what was not being served.  I was amazed that no such platter existed… so Plates with Purpose was born!

ygf: Fantastic! What a way to bring comfort to both the host and attendees. Will you tell us a bit more about the product?

Plates with Purpose is a series of platters that are either Bamboo Fibre or Porcelain and have allergen advice printed on the rims of the platters. The food intolerances or allergies that I have covered are as follows.

• Gluten Free
• Nut Free
• Egg Free
• Dairy Free
• Vegan

The name Plates with Purpose fit really well with the change I aimed to create. Now you can bring a plate with purpose to your dinner party or function!

ygf: What’s the best part about your business?

I love that we can offer a solution to people with a genuine need and take some of the guess work and awkwardness out of everyday life for people who suffer from allergies and intolerances. I have discovered that sometimes it is more important to know what is not on the plate, than what is.

ygf: Oh, definitely. What was the inspiration to include gluten free products?

Gluten Free platters seemed a very natural fit, being one of the top five food intolerances or allergies. I also have a very good friend who has coeliac disease and I have witnessed what she goes through to ensure what she is also eating gluten free. Additionally, having a little boy with a severe allergy I have become acutely aware of the life that all allergy sufferers lead. It is amazing just how vigilant we all have to be and just how common allergies are becoming in Australia.

ygf: Thank goodness for products like yours coming to the table! What does a normal day in your life look like?

My days start early with my two children… up for breakfast… lunches made… hair brushed… uniforms on and at school by 8:00am most mornings of the week. Then I head home to work on either my platters or filling macarons orders. And before I know it, I’m back to school for pick up… home… homework… play… cook dinner… baths… stories and bed for the little people. Back to it for me, working on either macarons or platters. I love it!

ygf: Busy, busy with a family of four. Any funny or interesting stories you’d like to share?

I have a friend who carries the biggest handbag. She has coeliac disease and every time she goes somewhere she always takes a Gluten Free dish with her. She will arrive, plonk it one the table and dive headfirst into her bag to reappear with an envelope and pen. She promptly folds the envelope in half and scribbles Gluten Free to put in front of her dish. Fortunately now with Plates with Purpose, she can leave her pen and paper at home!

ygf: What is your vision for the future? Anything exciting in the pipeline?

I want to get these platters out there in the hands of families of people with food intolerances or allergies. Not just in houses but also to caterers, hotels, cafes and restaurants. They are the platters that keep food intolerances or allergies on the top of mind when dishing up. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only company offering allergen aware platters!

ygf: Thank you for all of your hard work, Ruth. How do we access your gorgeous platters?

Hop online to www.plateswithpurpose.com.au and a few selected retailers in Sydney. Remember, next time you take a plate, do so with Purpose!

Instagram: @plates_with_purpose

FB: @plateswithpurposes

Twitter: @platespurpose