Building an Inclusive Dining Future Through Technology
When Tammara Lowdell found herself walking the streets of Italy, frustrated at being unable to find restaurants that could accommodate both her vegetarian diet and wheat intolerance, she never imagined it would lead to creating a global dining solution. Today, as the co-founder of Eat Choice, she's leveraging technology, partnerships, and community support to transform the dining experience for millions with dietary restrictions.
Dining out became incredibly challenging. I saw countless others facing similar struggles, and I knew there had to be a better way. 
The Spark of Innovation
"There's a large percentage of the world's population who maintain specific diets, and many people have multiple dietary restrictions," Tammara explains. "When these individuals try to eat out, they're not always accommodated. We knew some restaurants could cater to them – they were just hard to find. That's where Eat Choice comes in."
For Tammara, the inspiration was deeply personal. "I've been a vegetarian for nearly 30 years, and about a decade ago, I discovered I had a wheat intolerance. Dining out became incredibly challenging. I saw countless others facing similar struggles, and I knew there had to be a better way."
Building a Strong Foundation with Partnerships
Eat Choice isn't just Tammara's vision – it's a family venture co-founded with her husband, bringing together their complementary skills and shared experience in hospitality. "My husband and I previously owned a holiday park, which gave us invaluable insights into customer service and the hospitality industry. His technical background combined with my customer service experience created the perfect foundation for Eat Choice."
Their shared experience allowed them to understand the needs of restaurants, hotels, and online businesses, setting the stage for a customer-first dining platform.
Strategic Partnerships: Celiac New Zealand
One of Eat Choice's most transformative partnerships has been with Coeliac New Zealand. "This partnership was a game-changer," Tammara reveals. "They approached us with specific requirements for their community, which led to significant improvements in our app's structure. Thanks to their insights, we developed categories like 'Coeliac-friendly,' which ensures users can find truly safe dining options."
Initially, Tammara and her team focused on vegan and vegetarian users, but the partnership with Coeliac New Zealand shifted their target market. “We realised the pressing need for safe, gluten-free dining options, which has become a central focus for our soft launch.”
Leveraging a Support Network
“When we were running our holiday park, we learned the value of external advice through a ChristchurchNZ programme. More recently, she joined the Founder Catalyst startup program, which has had a profound impact. "After attending the Ministry of Awesome's Electrify Aotearoa conference, I realised the power of being part of a larger ecosystem. Founder Catalyst has been transformative – offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and valuable feedback on our growth strategy."
Mentors from both technology and hospitality sectors have guided them through challenges like refining marketing strategies and planning international expansion. Starting from scratch with Eat Choice has pushed Tammara to grow in new ways. "I’ve had to step outside my comfort zone—speaking up, being on camera, and building a social media presence. In my previous roles, I didn’t need to be in the spotlight, so it’s been a big shift, but a rewarding one."
“It’s been exciting and challenging. I always felt confident in what I could offer a business, but it’s been humbling to realise how much there is to learn.”
We’re not just launching an app – we’re starting a movement towards making dining out accessible for everyone, regardless of their dietary requirements.
Technology with Purpose: Eat Choice’s Vision
Tammara’s vision for Eat Choice extends far beyond being just another restaurant app. "We're building a movement towards truly inclusive dining," Tammara emphasises. "Our technology roadmap includes features to help restaurants better understand and serve diverse dietary needs, real-time menu updates, and personalised recommendations."
The app's development has been guided by real user needs. "Through our engagement with the coeliac community, we learned the importance of absolute certainty in dietary information. This led us to develop more robust verification systems and clearer categorisation."
Looking Ahead: The Future of Inclusive Dining
As Eat Choice prepares for its soft launch, Tammara is excited about the future. "We’re not just launching an app – we’re starting a movement towards making dining out accessible for everyone, regardless of their dietary requirements." Post-launch, Eat Choice is focusing on international expansion.
The Journey Continues
Reflecting on her journey from hospitality owner to tech startup founder, Tammara acknowledges the growth both personal and professional. "Starting from scratch has been humbling, but the support we've received has been incredible. Every challenge has led to learning and improvement."
"The most rewarding part," she adds, "is knowing we're creating something that will make a real difference in people's lives. When someone with multiple dietary restrictions can confidently walk into a restaurant and enjoy a meal without worry – that's what drives us."
With a strong support network, clear vision, and growing community behind it, Eat Choice is poised to transform the dining experience for millions of people worldwide.