High Tea in a Box

After originally making contact to ask if Brianda could cater a vegan gluten free high tea - being told that yes she could - (then some back and forth before landing on a date that worked) - I was shocked when going to pay for the event over the phone to hear from Brianda herself that to quote "hard not very nice gluten free scones and fruit platters were offered as a gluten free option." She was muttering to herself "Well you can't have the cheese platter and you can't have cucumber sandwiches..." I stated that this wasn't really okay for an expensive high tea - and that when you say you can cater a gluten free vegan high tea - you should be able to come up with reasonable substitutes- not a 'make do' ...I was then told by Brianda I should probably switch from their delivery and set up option to their DIY option where I would just pick everything up and cater it myself. I let her know this wasn't really an option given that I couldn't transport tea-sets, tables and chairs myself. I ended up stuck in a loop of Brianda explaining all the random reasons of how I couldn't have a decent high tea- I think I was about to be told I would have to pay even more money for a higher ranked option - I stopped her and asked for clarification - more than once about what my guests would actually get, rather than what they wouldn't get. Brianda didn't know. Next Brianda called her Baker and I was told a macaroon, a sausage roll and a hard inedible scone (with no alternative cream) could be served to guests but that I would have to engage an additional outside caterer to ensure there were any suitable cakes or sandwiches for guests. I asked for a quote for hightea delivery and set up but with me using Miss Maud to cater ALL of the food and was told that I could only do that on High Tea In a Box's DIY option - and that I'd have to pick everything up myself again. I was pretty taken aback, I wasn't given an adjustment seeing as they couldn't really cater for the hightea they promised. It was pay for their food or go DIY. I was told to think about it which I did... - I decided to go ahead and pay for the terrible dietary options from Brianda and then substitute with Miss Maud (just to get the much needed help on delivery of tables, chairs and set ups.) Yet hours later I was contacted to say all slots in April were gone and there was no availability in May and June. I called up where by which I received what sounded like a rehearsed speech about how this was all my own fault because I didn't pay my quote. With the lovely tagline of 'I think you should just take your friends for a cup of coffee at Miss Maud' which seemed to be a low blow. I let her know I would be leaving this review. I did so via Facebook. After responding to state that I lost my slot due to not paying my deposit and saying "We are really sad to read this review. This is the first negative review we received since I bought the business five years ago. To be clear High Tea in a Box does cater for guests with special dietary requirements, however the menu options are more limited for guests that have multiple allergies and intolerances." Brianda has hidden my Facebook review Please note Brianda has received no reviews on facebook at all - good or bad since purchasing the business - part of this may be the inability for her clients to review her. I'm very glad to find this site where my experience of being discarded as a client who was looking to have an event for myself and my community many of whom suffer with the disability of food intolerances and allergies. (I'm not a vegan, yet asking for vegan often means the allergens of dairy and egg aren't included in the food prep) So if you're reading this wondering if you should engage her. It's at your own risk - in terms of the social model of disability this is not an inclusive or honest business. All positive reviews by way of Facebook mention are about the former owner Melissa