This photo shows me with Diane Cu of White on Rice Couple on a Sunday afternoon — and yes, that moment felt extraordinary. You might expect that as a professional food writer, recipe developer and cooking instructor at thirty-eight years old, I would have mastered how to eat safely. I hadn’t. Here’s what happened.
Last Friday I flew to Orlando to attend the Food Blog Forum, an event hosted by Jaden and Scott Hair along with Diane Cu and Todd Porter. It drew a who’s who of food bloggers I’d admired for years — people like David Leite, Elise Bauer, Julie Deily and Lindsay Landis. I was excited to meet them, soak up the sessions and connect. I finally met Elise on Saturday morning and thanked her in person for pointing me to my beloved homemade root beer recipe. That hug felt long overdue.
At lunch, Disney’s children’s-menu chefs presented dishes with playful flair. The room hummed with the voices of roughly 150 food bloggers and industry pros. I picked up a tempting plate and tried to do three things at once: talk, walk and eat. That’s where I made my first mistake. Standing, I didn’t cut the food into small pieces like I normally would. I took a bite that wasn’t small enough, and in a moment I still can’t fully explain, that bite slid to the back of my throat and became stuck over my windpipe.
I could not breathe. I could not cough. I could not speak.
I was terrified.
And then I made another mistake: I tried to walk to the door to hide what was happening. In my desperation I briefly placed my hand on Elise — who I had just been thanking — and accidentally pushed her aside as I rushed for the exit. Once I was at the door I tried to cough, but nothing happened. There was no air coming in or out. My head spun, my eyes watered, and I started drooling because I could not swallow.
When I realized how dire the situation was, two thoughts flooded my mind: Lindy. The boys. Get help now.
I ran back and pounded on the door with all my strength because I couldn’t call for help. A couple of chefs and a Disney representative noticed and I made the universal hand-to-throat gesture for choking. I was lucky — the chefs recognized the emergency. One asked if I was choking and if I needed the Heimlich. I nodded as emphatically as I could, and then everything happened quickly: a chef delivered several firm slaps between my shoulder blades, wrapped his arms around me and applied an upward abdominal thrust. The piece of pork and potato came flying out. I spat it onto the floor, gasped for air and began to cough uncontrollably. I felt unimaginable relief.
Disney staff guided me to a chair, brought me water and stayed with me while I regained my composure. I assured them I was fine and declined further medical attention after several checks. My legs felt rubbery as I went to the bathroom to collect myself, then I returned to the conference room, still dazed. I found Elise, apologized for pushing her and explained what had happened. She was shocked and had no idea I’d been in danger; one person had assumed I was running to be sick. That reaction made one point painfully clear: by trying to save face and appear normal, I had endangered myself.
Let me say that again: I endangered myself.
How to Recognize Signs of Choking in Someone Else
It can be obvious when someone is choking, but if they try to hide it, the signs may be harder to notice. Look for these common indicators:
- Universal sign of distress — wide eyes and hands clutching the throat.
- Gagging or retching with little or no output.
- Uncontrollable coughing.
- Audible wheezing or very labored breathing, suggesting a partial or complete airway blockage.
- Watery eyes.
- Red face or flushed skin.
- Inability to speak, or only able to say a few words.
- Panicked, distressed, or frantic behavior.
If you see any of these signs, act immediately. Don’t assume the person is exaggerating or that they will recover on their own.
What to Do If You Are Choking
- Do NOT leave the room to avoid embarrassment. Stay where others are and get attention immediately.
- Try to breathe, swallow, cough or speak a few words — any sounds or attempts show there may be a partial blockage.
- Stay as calm as possible; panic makes breathing harder.
- If you can, raise your hands to your neck to use the universal sign for choking so bystanders know what’s happening.
- Cooperate with whoever is helping you and follow their instructions.
What to Do If You’re Alone and Choking
Being alone and choking is one of my worst fears now. Learn and practice recommended self-rescue techniques, such as those outlined by reputable medical sources, so you’re prepared. When choking, thinking clearly is difficult — prior familiarity with these techniques can save your life. Teach them to family members as well so everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
My experience reminded me how quickly a meal can become dangerous and how important it is to ask for help rather than hide an emergency. Learn the signs, know the steps to take, and don’t let pride put you at risk.