How do you prevent cross-contact when a guest requests a nut-free dessert?

• A. Use separate utensils and surfaces; confirm with the kitchen and avoid shared equipment.
• B. Use the same utensils after a wipe-down.
• C. Ignore the request if busy.
• D. Offer a dessert without the nut-free claim.

Answer: (A)

Preventing cross-contact in a nut-free dessert comes down to keeping tools and prep spaces free from any nut contamination. Use separate utensils, bowls, cutting boards, mixers, and even a dedicated prep area for nut-free items, and confirm with the kitchen that no nuts or nut-containing ingredients will touch those tools or surfaces. This intentional separation protects the dessert from picking up nut residues and minimizes risk from hidden or lingering contamination. If a shared workspace must be used, insist on thorough cleaning and sanitizing, but the safest practice is to keep nut-free and nut-containing equipment separate from start to finish. Color-coding or clearly designated equipment can help prevent mix-ups during busy service.

Using the same utensils after a wipe-down can still leave trace amounts of nuts in cracks or on surfaces, so it doesn’t reliably prevent cross-contact. Ignoring the guest’s request isn’t appropriate because it creates real risk for someone with a nut allergy. Offering a dessert that isn’t truly nut-free undermines the guest’s safety and the commitment to a nut-free option.