Shawarma Moose accepts catering orders involving severe allergies, including nut allergies, after reviewing the specific allergen and requested meal. The kitchen is not shared and has dedicated allergen preparation areas, equipment, fryers, utensils, and storage.
That does not mean every item should be described as free from every allergen. A useful allergen-free confirmation applies to a specific meal, ingredient list, and preparation plan. The organizer must tell the kitchen exactly which allergen is involved before the order is accepted.
This first-party process was reviewed on July 24, 2026 by Divya Patel, owner of Shawarma Moose, who has 10 years of catering experience and reviews the menu and kitchen information used in catering articles.
The direct answer: can you order nut-free catering?
Yes. Start by naming the specific allergen rather than writing only “nut-free” or “allergy-friendly.” A peanut allergy and a tree-nut allergy are not interchangeable instructions, and a guest may need one or both reviewed. The kitchen then checks the requested dishes, sauces, sides, desserts, and preparation plan before confirming what can be provided.
The same approach applies to other severe allergies. The quote request should identify the allergen, the number of affected guests, and whether the meals need individual names or dietary labels.
What dedicated allergen preparation means at Shawarma Moose
Shawarma Moose confirms that it is not a shared kitchen and that the following dedicated resources are available for allergy orders:
- Preparation areas
- Equipment
- Fryers
- Utensils
- Storage
The kitchen uses those resources as part of the confirmed preparation plan. The plan still begins with a review of the specific item and allergen; equipment alone does not replace checking every ingredient included in the order.
The five-step order review
- Name the allergen. Write “peanut,” “tree nut,” or the more specific allergen supplied by the guest. Do not make the kitchen infer it from a diet label.
- Choose the meal or service format. Identify the preferred bowl, wrap, buffet, platter, salad bar, or finger-food selection.
- Review the components. The kitchen checks the protein, base, salad, sauce, pita, side, dessert, and beverage included in that selection.
- Confirm the preparation plan. Dedicated preparation resources are matched to the accepted request.
- Plan the handoff. The organizer decides whether the meal needs a guest name, an allergen label, or a separate distribution point.
If a requested item cannot be confirmed for the stated allergen, the useful response is a different confirmed selection—not a vague assurance.
Boxed meals versus buffet service
Individually packaged meals are usually the clearest choice when one specific meal must reach one specific guest. A name or dietary label can stay with the container from packing through delivery and distribution.
A buffet can also include reviewed and identified dishes. The difference is what happens after delivery: guests serve themselves and control the movement of shared utensils. For an event involving a severe allergy, the organizer should decide whether the shared serving environment is appropriate for that guest or whether a separately packaged meal provides a clearer handoff.
| Factor | Individual meal | Buffet |
|---|---|---|
| Guest identification | Name or dietary label on one container | Dish or tray label |
| Distribution | One meal handed to one guest | Guests serve themselves |
| Shared utensils after delivery | No shared serving line required | Organizer and guests manage utensils |
| Best fit | Specific meal-to-guest control | Groups that want choice and have a service plan |
Read the detailed buffet versus boxed lunch comparison for room, agenda, pricing, and distribution factors.
What dietary labels communicate
Shawarma Moose can label confirmed selections with dietary information such as halal, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free selection, or nut-free selection. The label communicates the order that was reviewed and prepared. It should not be treated as medical advice or a substitute for the guest's own decision.
For a severe allergy, an unexplained two-letter code is not enough during planning. Put the full allergen in the quote request, then agree on the final label used for the handoff.
Review the whole order, not only the main dish
An allergy review must include every component that will reach the guest. Depending on the package, that can include:
- Chicken or beef shawarma, kebab, souvlaki, falafel, tofu, or shrimp
- Rice or garlic potatoes
- Greek salad, tabbouleh, or fattoush
- Hummus, pita, pickles, and sauces
- Fruit, dessert, and beverages
For example, hummus and tahini-related sauces require attention for a guest who has identified sesame as an allergen. Dessert selections may have a different ingredient profile from the main meal. The kitchen reviews the requested combination instead of assuming that the entire category shares one allergen status.
What to include in a Toronto catering request
Send these details in one message:
- Event date and serving time
- Full delivery address and room or building access
- Total guest count
- Exact allergen and number of affected guests
- Preferred buffet, boxed-meal, wrap, platter, or other format
- Requested proteins, sides, sauces, desserts, and beverages
- Guest names if individual labels are needed
- Onsite contact for the delivery handoff
Shawarma Moose accepts same-day catering with at least four hours' notice and a minimum of 10 guests. Allergy details should be sent with the initial request so the kitchen review is part of the order decision, not a note added after production begins.
Delivery and order handoff
Delivery is scheduled 30–45 minutes before serving. Drivers call and text on arrival, and food travels in insulated carriers. Standard delivery is $40; Ajax is currently $60. Delivery is separate from published food prices.
The onsite organizer should know which container or tray matches the confirmed allergy plan. For an office, school, campus, warehouse, condo, or venue, provide the correct entrance, room, floor, loading information, and a reachable onsite phone number.
Organizer checklist before approval
- Did we name the exact allergen?
- Did we identify each affected guest or meal count?
- Did the kitchen review every component in the requested selection?
- Did we confirm the dedicated preparation plan?
- Will the meal be individually packaged, or is there a buffet handoff plan?
- Are the labels written in a way the onsite organizer understands?
- Does the onsite contact know which meal or tray follows the confirmed plan?
Use the catering quote form to describe the allergen and requested meal, or call (647) 340-8001. Include only the information needed to assess and prepare the order.
Frequently asked questions
Can Shawarma Moose accept a catering order for a severe nut allergy?
Yes. Severe-allergy orders are accepted after the organizer identifies the specific allergen and requested meal so the kitchen can review and confirm the ingredients and preparation plan.
Is Shawarma Moose a shared kitchen?
No. Dedicated allergen preparation areas, equipment, fryers, utensils, and storage are available.
Can Shawarma Moose guarantee an allergen-free meal?
Shawarma Moose can confirm an allergen-free meal after reviewing the specific allergen, ingredients, requested selection, and preparation plan. A broad claim that every menu item is free from every allergen would not be accurate.
Are boxed lunches better than a buffet for a severe allergy?
An individually packaged and labelled meal usually gives the organizer the clearest one-to-one handoff. A buffet can still be reviewed and labelled, but guests control shared serving utensils after handoff.
What should an organizer send with an allergy catering request?
Send the exact allergen, guest count, requested meal or format, event date and serving time, delivery address, and whether a named individual label is required. Avoid relying only on a general phrase such as allergy-friendly.
