The Gluten Free Suitcase

At the end of May, Free From Events hosted the UK’s first-ever gluten, dairy and refined-sugar free festival in East London’s Old Spitalfield’s Market. The event, created by Margarita Kalna, was choc-a-bloc with 56 exhibitors and over 2,800 hungry customers. Margarita has been building up her free from event planning operation since 2014, after witnessing a good friend struggle to eat out and source allergy-friendly food products. I had the pleasure of attending last month and have selected my top picks from the event, all of whom are businesses well-worth keeping an eye on.

Eat Safe App

Still struggling when it comes to picking an allergy-friendly place to go for a meal? Matt Bland – the founder and creator of Eat Safe – knows how you feel and wants to help. Eat Safe is a new and upcoming initiative to make picking a restaurant easier for allergy sufferers. The app allows users to pick their current location and dietary requirement before offering suggestions for nearby eateries. What’s interesting about this app is that as well as revealing your nearest 100% allergy-friendly restaurants, places perhaps you never knew served gluten or dairy free dishes for example, are also factored in. Each location is then given a ranking according to the number of allergy-friendly options available on their menu.

I had the opportunity to play around with the app and cannot wait to use it regularly. If you’re interested in giving it a go during the limited launch period in mid-June, head over to the Eat Safe website to sign up or get in touch with the team via contact@eatsafeapp.co.uk.

Green Sisters

After six years of not being able to eat a samosa, coming across the Green Sisters was an emotional moment. This delightful family business creates gluten free, vegetarian and egg free Indian food, as part of a concept they call “considered dining” – in other words, eating which is considerate of a variety of dietary needs whether a diet is being followed through choice or necessity.

Tucking into this spicy samosa with a side of vegetable pakora and fragrant chickpeas was one of the day’s top highlights and something I look forward to doing again in the near future. Follow these wonderful ladies on social media for news of their next pop-up.

White Rabbit Pizza Co.

You may well have already tried the gold-dust pizza created by White Rabbit Pizza Co. in Oxford, given they are stocked by well-known retailers including Planet Organic and Abel & Cole. For me however, this was a first-time experience and I was certainly not disappointed. All pizzas from this group are gluten free and organic, and there is even a vegan pie on offer too.

The company originally started off serving much-requested gluten free pizzas in their pubs in Oxford. Following such a great success, the team decided to start distributing across the country and have never looked back. Keep your eyes peeled for new stockists of these pizzas, including Whole Foods and As Nature Intended. These guys are sure to go far.

MannaVida

Even before I discovered gluten was a no-go, the idea of baking my own bread never inspired me. After meeting the husband and wife team behind MannaVida however, I am stoked to start creating my own hassle-free gluten free foccacia at home.

Dan Jennings and Davina Steel produce a selection of bake-at-home bread mixes and flours which are entirely free from additives and gluten. The team started up their business in 2015 when treatment for cancer left Davina severely intolerant to gluten. MannaVida has since won three World Bread Awards and continues to develop new recipes and improve old favourites. It is no wonder the team ran out of bread samples on the day – the texture of every kind I tried was spot on and full of flavour. Get yours online from Ocado.

Cake and Cucumber

Feeling incredibly stuffed after sampling all of the amazing food detailed above and more, I stumbled across Cake and Cucumber’s stand and I am so glad I did. The company is headed up by East London resident and baking-enthusiast Phoebe. An advocate of free-from, wholefoods cooking, Phoebe ticks all gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free boxes when it comes to preparing food without compensating on flavour.

Phoebe began her venture in 2015 and appears at a number of events across London with Cake and Cucumber. She also hosts pop-ups and workshops. Keep your eyes on the company website for more details on where to source these delicious products baked with love.

Free From Festival will be in Bristol on Saturday 28 October from 10:30am onwards
Photo Credits: Ilmi Perez-Stubbs

June 4, 2017June 4, 2017

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White Artisan Loaf by Newburn Bakehouse

Where From? Newburn Bakehouse
Available in major supermarkets across the UK

Bread is incredibly difficult to get right, gluten free or not. All of you reading, I’m sure, will have your own gluten free bread discovery horror stories, featuring teeny tiny crumbly slices reminiscent of dust. A few brands have now come to the table with impressive allergy-friendly sliced loaves but the market is somewhat lacking in fresh, artisan bread which you can slice yourself. Warburton’s own gluten free subsidiary Newburn Bakehouse has however answered the prayers of the allergy community and supplies most major supermarkets across the UK with this fresh, slice-able artisan loaf. It has an impressive rise for a gluten and milk free product and unlike many loaves from competitors, does not fall apart upon cutting, thus making it perfect for sandwiches. Go get yours from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose or Tesco!

June 1, 2017June 1, 2017

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Gnocchi by Difatti

Where from? Difatti
Available Via Ocado and Amazon

For me, gnocchi is a way of life: moreish, satisfying, filling, and good with almost any sauce. Baked Gnocchi alla Sorrentina – oven cooked in a fresh tomato sauce with basil and mozzarella – was a staple dinner in my house until I realised I couldn’t eat gluten. Thankfully, Difatti does its best to produce free from Italian products that stay true to the real deal. After working my way through a few brands only available in Italy and Spain, I came across Difatti, which lucky for us UK residents is available online via Ocado and Amazon. This is the top gluten free and vegan gnocchi out there and passes the tests of taste, texture and variety with flying colours. Difatti offers plain, spinach, tomato and pumpkin and quinoa flavoured packs which are all delicious in their own right. Just be sure to time your gnocchi in the water to avoid overcooking. Go on and grab your packs now!

May 31, 2017May 31, 2017

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Snack Bars by Kind

Where From? Kind Snacks
Available Across the UK and US, in Stores Including Wholefoods

I am not a traditional snack or cereal bar fan. I often think either go big and have a chocolate bar or avoid the snacking urge all together. Now however, I am changing my ways and all because of these amazing new bars from Kind Snacks! These delicious 100% gluten free nut-based bars come in a variety of flavours and contain all natural [pronounceable] ingredients with no hidden nasties. The selection is split into two categories: Nuts & Spices and Fruit & Nut, with a round-up on the packaging of each bar detailing its percentage of nuts, fruit and protein. My favourite already is Caramel Almond & Sea Salt: a sweet and salty combination of caramel and sea salt drizzled over whole almonds, all bound together with honey. Available in Whole Foods Market in both the US and UK. You’ll also find them in stores including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Go stock up!

May 29, 2017

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Pancake Mix by Bisquick

Where From? Bisquick
Available at Selected US Supermarkets and Online

Growing up with an American mom meant that pancake breakfasts on the weekend were a given. Since I was little, Bisquick was always our household-preferred brand and something we would stock up on when going back to the US on vacation. When I found out I couldn’t eat gluten, I thankfully did not have to leave Bisquick behind as the General Mills-owned brand soon introduced a gluten free alternative. Despite removing wheat flour, Bisquick has by no means lost its original flavour. All pancakes made with this mix turn out fluffy and even lighter than before, which is no bad thing given their moreish nature! So, be sure to pack your bags with this wondrous mix when you’re on your way home – it can also be used for gluten free waffles and batter for fried chicken and fish. Available in major stores including Target, Publix, Hannaford, Walmart and online through retailers including Amazon and Ebay.

May 24, 2017May 24, 2017

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Hamburger and Fries by McDonald’s

Where From? McDonald’s
Available in Several Countries Across Europe

Yes you read correctly! Your dreams of returning to the once much-loved and incredibly indulgent historical fast food chain can now become a reality! As all gluten free orders come clearly marked and are prepared at separate food stations, I always delight in purchasing a Quarter Pounder Meal with Cheese whenever in Spain or the Netherlands. The gluten free bun is also offered in stores across Italy, Portugal, Norway and Sweden so if the craving hits you can safely give in. Be sure to ask in store which burger flavours can be prepared gluten free. Well done McDonald’s!