Preventing Cross-Contamination
At Aspen Links, we take steps throughout food storage, preparation, and service to help prevent cross-contamination. We keep raw foods separate from cooked and ready-to-eat items, store ingredients in covered and labelled containers, and clean and sanitize preparation surfaces, cutting boards, and equipment between tasks. Staff wash their hands before preparing meals for guests with dietary requirements and change gloves between tasks when gloves are used. We use clean utensils for each preparation and avoid moving utensils between ingredients or dishes. Dietary requirements are clearly communicated between the server and kitchen so everyone handling the order understands the precautions needed, from preparation through to serving the finished meal.
The practices above apply to every dietary request we receive. The sections below describe the additional steps we take for the requirements we most commonly serve.
Gluten-Free
For gluten-free orders, we check all ingredients, including sauces, seasonings, dressings, and garnishes, and prepare the meal in a thoroughly cleaned area away from bread, flour, and crumbs. In most cases, we retrieve fresh ingredients from protected storage rather than using ingredients from shared preparation stations, along with a fresh set of clean utensils, cutting boards, and cookware. We avoid shared spreads or containers that may have been touched by utensils used with gluten-containing foods. Meals are prepared using clean cooking surfaces or separate clean pans, and food cooked in oil shared with gluten-containing products is not presented as gluten-free. We use clean plates and serving utensils and keep the finished meal separate from gluten-containing foods during plating and service. If cross-contact is suspected, we remake the entire meal using fresh ingredients and clean equipment.
Nut Allergies
Nut allergies are treated as a priority in our kitchen. When a nut allergy is communicated, we check all ingredients, including sauces, dressings, desserts, baked goods, garnishes, and oils, for peanuts, tree nuts, and nut-derived products. The meal is prepared in a cleaned area with fresh gloves, clean utensils, cutting boards, and cookware, away from any station where nuts are handled. We avoid shared containers and toppings, and the finished meal is plated and served separately. If cross-contact is suspected, we remake the entire meal.
Vegetarian
Vegetarian meals are prepared without meat, poultry, seafood, or ingredients made from them, including stocks, broths, gravies, and gelatin. We check sauces, dressings, and seasonings for hidden animal-based ingredients and prepare the meal on a cleaned surface with clean utensils and cookware rather than equipment just used for meat. Where possible, vegetarian items are cooked in separate pans and plated away from meat dishes.
Vegan
Vegan meals are prepared without any animal products, including meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, honey, and animal-derived ingredients such as butter, cream, cheese, mayonnaise, and gelatin. We review every component of the dish, including bread, sauces, dressings, and garnishes, and substitute plant-based options where available. The meal is prepared with clean utensils, cookware, and surfaces, and food cooked in oil or on grills shared with animal products is not presented as vegan.
Dairy-Free
For dairy-free orders, we check all ingredients for milk, butter, cream, cheese, yogurt, whey, and other milk-derived ingredients, including those hidden in sauces, dressings, breads, batters, and seasonings. The meal is prepared on a cleaned surface with clean utensils and cookware, and we avoid shared butter, spreads, or containers that may have been in contact with dairy. Dairy-free alternatives are used where available, and the finished meal is plated and served separately from items containing dairy.
Halal
When a Halal request is communicated, we identify which menu items can be prepared using Halal-suitable ingredients and let the guest know what is available. We check for pork, pork-derived ingredients such as bacon, lard, and gelatin, and alcohol used in cooking, sauces, or marinades. The meal is prepared with clean utensils, cookware, and surfaces that have not been in contact with pork or alcohol, and is plated and served separately.
Religious & Cultural Requirements
We respect dietary requirements rooted in faith and cultural practice, including Kosher-style, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and fasting-related restrictions. When a guest shares their requirements with us, we review the ingredients and preparation of the requested dish, identify suitable options, and prepare the meal with clean equipment and surfaces away from restricted ingredients. Where we cannot accommodate a request, we will tell the guest clearly rather than make assumptions.
Garlic
For guests avoiding garlic, we check all components of the dish, including sauces, dressings, marinades, seasoning blends, compound butters, and breads, since garlic is frequently used as a base ingredient. The meal is prepared on a cleaned surface with clean utensils and cookware, using fresh ingredients retrieved from storage rather than from shared preparation stations where garlic may have been handled.
Onion
For guests avoiding onion, we check all components of the dish, including stocks, soups, sauces, dressings, seasoning blends, and garnishes, for onion, shallots, green onions, chives, and onion powder. The meal is prepared on a cleaned surface with clean utensils and cookware, and we avoid shared containers or stations where onion may have been handled.
Peppers
For guests avoiding peppers, we check all components of the dish for bell peppers, chili peppers, and pepper-based ingredients such as paprika, cayenne, chili flakes, hot sauces, and seasoning blends that contain them. The meal is prepared on a cleaned surface with clean utensils and cookware, using fresh ingredients from storage, and is plated and served separately from pepper-containing items.
Have a dietary requirement that isn't listed here? Let your server know when you order, or reach out before your visit and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
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