Can 50-50 Cater for Dietary Requirements?

One of the biggest misconceptions about tasting-menu restaurants is that dietary requirements make the experience difficult or impossible.

In fact, one of the most common questions we receive at 50-50 is:

"Can you cater for my dietary requirements?"

The answer is simple:

Yes. We love catering for dietary requirements. We just need to know before you arrive. Book Here

We Believe Everyone Deserves a Great Night Out

One of the things I feel strongly about as a chef is that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy dinner with their friends and family, regardless of their dietary requirements.

A great meal isn't just about the food.

It's about sharing an experience together.

That's why we put a lot of thought into our dietary menus and work hard to ensure guests can enjoy the same overall experience as everyone else at the table.

What Dietary Requirements Can We Cater For?

Over the years we've regularly catered for:

• Vegan

• Vegetarian

• Pescatarian

• Gluten-free

• Dairy-free

• Nut-free

• No refined sugar

• No nightshade family

• Guests who avoid specific ingredients

• General dislikes and preferences

We also regularly cater for combinations of dietary requirements.

One of our regular guests is:

• Gluten-free

• Dairy-free

• No refined sugar

• No nightshades

and enjoys our tasting menus regularly.

The only dietary requirement we cannot accommodate is:

No canola oil.

Unfortunately, this is one restriction that is not practical for us to safely cater for throughout the entire experience.

How We Approach Dietary Alternatives

When I design a new menu each month, I don't just think about the standard version.

At the same time, I'm also thinking about:

• Vegan alternatives

• Gluten-free alternatives

• Dairy-free alternatives

• Common dietary combinations

This means dietary guests aren't an afterthought.

The planning starts while the menu is being created.

Rather than simply removing ingredients, my goal is to keep the experience as close as possible to the original dish.

I want everyone at the table to feel like they're sharing the same journey.

An Example From Our Menu

The first course on our June 2026 menu is cured salmon.

The salmon is lightly cured with yuzu zest and salt, then served with:

• Yuzu buttermilk

• Crispy salmon skin

• Marinated fennel

• Lapsang souchong oil

• Fennel fronds

For vegan and dairy-free guests, we serve a completely different protein while maintaining the same flavour profile and textures.

Instead of salmon, we roast a whole carrot for three hours before peeling and compressing it with yuzu zest, yuzu juice and salt for 24 hours.

The yuzu buttermilk becomes a yuzu cream made from soy milk.

The crispy salmon skin is replaced with crispy rice paper seasoned with lapsang souchong and black pepper to recreate the smoky, crunchy texture.

The result isn't simply "the vegan version."

It's a carefully designed dish that delivers many of the same sensations and flavours as the original.

Why We Enjoy Cooking for Dietary Guests

Some chefs see dietary requirements as a limitation.

I see them as a challenge.

Many guests with dietary requirements are passionate about food. They often cook extensively at home and have spent years adapting recipes to suit their needs.

That means they appreciate creativity, technique and thoughtful cooking.

One recent guest was vegan and also requested no mushrooms.

Creating a menu that felt exciting, memorable and restaurant-worthy for them was incredibly rewarding.

I enjoy finding ways to create textures, flavours and experiences that would be difficult to replicate at home.

The Most Important Thing You Can Do

Tell us when you book.

The more information we have, the better experience we can create.

It's particularly important that we know:

• Whether it's an allergy

• Whether it's an intolerance

• Whether it's a personal preference

We love it when guests are clear about what they want and need.

That information helps us plan, prepare and ensure your evening is as enjoyable as possible.

The Biggest Myth About Tasting Menus

The biggest misconception people have is that tasting-menu restaurants don't cater for dietary requirements.

In our experience, that's simply not true.

Many of our dietary guests become repeat customers because they know they'll receive the same care, creativity and attention as every other guest in the restaurant.

Should You Book?

If you're worried about your dietary requirements, my answer is simple:

Yes.

We love catering for dietary requirements at 50-50.

We simply ask that you let us know when you book so we have time to prepare.

With enough notice, we'll do everything we can to create a memorable dining experience that's designed specifically for you.