Gluten-Free Events Calendar
If it’s gluten free and happening in Victoria, Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands, you’ll find it listed here! From tastings to contests, farmer’s markets to food trucks – this is your calendar to Gluten-Free Paradise! Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies and add a new restaurant – and possibly a new gluten-free friend – to your repertoire!
University & College Students – enjoy 10% off EVERY DAY with provision of student ID card.
- Some restrictions apply. No discount on sale items.
Click Here for Pepper’s Foods ONLINE STORE
Gluten-Free Products ONLINE!
A bustling market just steps away from the University of Victoria and one of the largest playgrounds in Victoria, shop at Pepper’s Foods for a picnic, a barbecue or the gluten-free foods you need to sustain you week in and week out! A long-time supporter of the Canadian Celiac Association’s Annual Picnic, Pepper’s Foods is the very ‘heart’ of Cadboro Bay!
3829 Cadboro Bay Road • 250-477-6513 • [email protected]
SEE Pepper’s Foods Gluten-Free Flyer!
Follow Pepper’s Foods
- Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
- Peppers-foods.com/inside-peppers
- Pepper’s Foods Delivery • email [email protected] • email [email protected]
- Peppers-foods.com
- Pepper’s Gluten-Free Product List
- Pepper’s Foods’ Complete Flyer
- 10% Senior’s discount Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Pepper’s has received Surfrider Vancouver Island Ocean Friendly Business in 2022 for actively stewarding local beaches and waterways by reducing unnecessary single-use plastic waste and Gold Award as a Vancouver Island Green Business in 2022.
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers Awards 2022
- Award for Achieving 60 years of Independent Excellence
- 2022 Award of Merit
- Bronze Award in the Small Surface Category for Canada
- Gold for the BC/Yukon Regional Award in the Small Surface Category
The annual awards recognize youth leadership and promote achievements of Vancouver Island family businesses and their contributions to their communities. Pepper’s Food Store, helmed by second-generation owner Cory Davits, was founded in 1962 and has grown to be a full-service grocer.
- “Our goal is to maintain the small community-store feeling while providing all the services of the larger chain store,” said Davits.
What’s New at Pepper’s Foods!
“Any time a local vendor or distributor approaches us with a local product, we’re all ears and open to carrying their product.” Scott Zaichkowsky, Assistant Grocery Manager
Gyro Park & Beach at Cadboro Bay
The legendary home of the “Cadborosaurus” sea serpent, Cadboro Bay is a partially protected bay with the kind of long, sandy beaches that make for sublime summer swimming, strolling and boating. The park has a replica of the Cadborosaurus creature, said to be a relative of the Loch Ness Monster. Caddy, as it is known, usually allows itself to be seen once or twice a year. Cadboro Bay’s beaches are well-equipped for family outings with picnic facilities, public washrooms and a children’s playground. Pack a snack from Pepper’s and enjoy!
Introducing The Taco Hole! Duncan’s Tex-Mex Paradise!
Download the free Getintheloop app for loyalty rewards!
Burrito Mondays – all burritos and burrito bowls only $9.95 + GST each
Taco Tuesdays – only $3.79 + GST each
thetacohole.ca • Facebook • Instagram • [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday 11am to 2pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am to 4pm
The Taco Hole is a 100% gluten-free, hole-in-the-wall eatery located inside Duncan’s Cowichan Community Centre (in the old concession space), right across from the Hockey Arena at 2687 James St.
The Cowichan Community Centre offers many different community events throughout the year. Count on The Taco Hole as your source for delicious, gluten-free food. Check the Rec Centre Events Schedule here!
Brought to you by the team behind Vancouver Island’s favourite taco truck, Taco Revolution. Trust in their 100% Gluten-Free Menu! The only exceptions are the pre-wrapped ice cream bars, candy bars & canned beverages. All food prepared on site is gluten free – and delicious!
- Learn more about the Taco Revolution 100% Gluten-Free Food Truck • Catering • Taco Fiestas • Facebook • Instagram
- Learn more about Taco Revolution Foods
- Food Truck & Market Table Schedule
The Taco Hole Highlights
- Authentic Mexican Flavors: Our talented chefs use locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that capture the essence of Mexican cuisine. Each meal is a culinary masterpiece, bursting with bold flavors and textures.
- Wide Range of Options: Whether you’re a meatetarian, vegetarian, or vegan, we have something to tantalize your taste buds. French fries, too! All 100% Gluten-Free! Scroll down for menus.
- Unique Drinks: Complement your meal with our selection of Mexican Sodas, local sodas, and non-alcoholic Cervezas to enhance your dining experience.
November 9th is the Grand Opening of The Taco Hole. They’ll be giving away 100 orders of churros with purchase. Churros are Mexico’s version of deep-fried donuts!
Come hungry, leave happy!
Confirm today’s location via Mizu’s Facebook Page or Instagram Account
A taste of New Zealand in the heart of Vancouver Island!
Watch this beautiful Instagram video!
Mix your favourites – organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mixed berries, banana, mango or pineapple – with ice cream or vegan soft serve made with coconut and cashew ‘milk.’ Served in a gluten-free, vegan waffle cone. No added colours, flavours or sugar.
Mizu’s Real Fruit Ice Cream trailer is often at Nanaimo’s Departure Bay Beach, but please confirm today’s location via Mizu’s Facebook Page or Instagram Account!
Pre-order ‘Pints-to-Go’ via https://mizu-real-fruit-ice-cream.square.site!
Available for purchase at Springford Farm in Nanoose Bay & Chemainus Health Food Store.
Book the Mizu Trailer for your special event! Contact Jamie at [email protected]
For years, Jamie Lynn has been obsessed with owning her own ice cream trailer. Lucky for us, she made her dreams – and ours – come true! Catch her before she flies away to chase another dream – obtaining her pilots’s license!
Jamie and her husband Vinny, a heavy-duty mechanic by trade, built the ice cream trailer from scratch, then decorated it with images of beautiful berries. You can’t miss it at Departure Bay Beach in Nanaimo or at a host of special events. Look for the line up!
- Gluten-free, 100% Canadian, vanilla ice cream soft serve is made with premium ingredients by Island Farms.
- Gluten-free, vegan, vanilla soft serve is made with coconut oil and Nora’s Creamy Cashew Milk.
- Mizu dedicates a scooper, an auger and freezer for vegan, dairy-free soft serve.
- Choose your favourite fruit. Mizu is happy to offer combos or mixes!
- Enjoy your soft serve in a gluten-friendly cone, a gluten cone, or in a bowl!
- Available in pints, too! Strawberry, strawberry-banana, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry or mixed berry.
Coming soon! Special flavours like Hokey Pokey Toffee in a pint, special orders & pre-ordering.
The Cones!
- Gluten Waffle Cones’ and ‘Gluten-Friendly Waffle Cones’ are dairy-free, egg-free and ‘vegan-friendly.’
- Made in a facility in Metro Vancouver that has been making waffle cones since 1982.
- Gluten-friendly cones are made with documented to be gluten-free rice flour, arrowroot, soy lecithin, canola oil & cellulose.
- Shared equipment is blown off and thoroughly scrubbed between gluten and gluten-friendly production.
- On the trailer, gluten-friendly cones are stored in a sealed, labelled bin, entirely separate from gluten cones.
- When you make your dietary needs known upon ordering, staff will wash their hands and put on clean gloves before handling the cone.
- Choose your fruit flavour, mixed with ice cream or vegan soft serve.
- Named after Jamie & Vinny’s beloved Belgian Malinois!
- Got a pup? Ask for Mizu’s ‘Pet-Friendly Dog Scoop’ made with a Sugar-Free Cake Cone, scoop of ice cream and a dog treat on top!
- 50% of Mizu’s ‘Pet-Friendly Dog Scoop’ sales are donated to Sooke’s Raincoast Dog Rescue.
What is the New Zealand connection?
- Mizu’s Little Gem Mixer has made New Zealand famous for its soft serve! Components are easy to remove and completely washable. What’s not to love!
Tuesdays are 2 for 1 at Totchos!
One-of-a-kind gourmet topped taters and low carb, house-made salads and handhelds. The vegan ice cream is amazing! Across from Winners at West Shore Town centre. See map
Watch Totchos interview on CHEK News Order Up!
Take a video tour of Totchos
Totchos is a family owned and operated restaurant. Owners Ashley and husband Dwayne and family were born and raised on Vancouver Island. Their family wants to welcome our family!
Totchos.ca • Facebook • Instagram • 250-590-2322 • [email protected]
Mon-Tues-Wed-Sat: 10-6. Thurs-Fri: 10-8. Sunday: 11-5 Holiday hours may vary.
Now online for delivery with Uber & Door Dash
Totchos are gourmet tater tots, cooked in a dedicated gluten-free deep fryer, then dressed like nachos, poutine, banh mi, pulled pork and even breakfast! Add gooey cheese sauces or pickled jalapeños, crispy onions, bacon bits, sour cream guacamole & gravy.You can even dip them in creamy franks sauce, tzatziki, creamy jalapeno cilantro, sweet chile or sweet sticky sauce. Totchos is happy to customize your order!
“All tator tots, toppings and dips are gluten free (with the exception of the Vegan Pulled Pork and Vegan Taco Totchos.) Ingredients are confirmed to be gluten free upon arrival at the restaurant.”
• Totchos Tuesdays! ‘Two for the Price of One!’
• Friday Pop Up Contests! Enter your suggestion for Totchos Friday Pop Up Tot for a chance to win a prize!
• Gaming & Parties! 6 Totcho’s booths are equipped with retro table top gaming arcades! Video games with 2 remotes and tons of games to enjoy: 2 SEGAs, 1 NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), 3 SNES mini version (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). 20-40 games per console. Each table is bookable for one hour at a time. Walk-in or pre-book. 250-590-2322
- “Great service! Great food! So many choices!”
- “My daughter enjoyed playing Kirby and the food was fun and good. 100% will come back.”
- “The creamy jalapeño cilantro dip and sticky sauce (sweet chili not spicy) is so good!”
Look for Gluten-Free Notations on Menus! All toppings house-made, daily!
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan Soft Serve Dole Whip with Zero Sugar Toppings
- A year and a half in the making and the Westshore Town Centre is becoming more delicious by the minute! The first of its kind tater-tot shop, Totchos, has opened its doors with fanfare. Attributing the lengthy wait for the restaurant launch to implications involving labour shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Totchos co-owner, Ashley Reardon says the delayed launch has made all the difference to the early success of the business. It was insane. We were lined up outside the door on Friday (February 10th) when we opened. We had the tables flipping every half an hour to 45 minutes,” said Reardon. Having to close an hour early due to a shortage of food, Reardon tells Victoria Buzz the wave of support and welcome she and her husband have received at the Westshore Town Centre has helped them feel at home and further inspired them to run a business in Langford. “We moved out to Langford because it’s a quieter area but there’s less stuff going on for our kids. We are big kids so we kind of just brainstormed and we were like, let’s just do something fun,” says Reardon. Known as the only restaurant on Vancouver Island serving a delicious variety of tater-tot inspired meals, Totchos holds a deeper meaning to Reardon as a tribute to her late mother, Charlene, who passed away in October 2022. “She couldn’t see it open but she was really excited. Most of the recipes are hers and I learned all my cooking from her,” says Reardon. As a child, Reardon’s parents would infuse tater tots into meals with additional healthy ingredients to help inspire Reardon and her siblings to eat balanced meals. A concept that Reardon has passed onto her children, the new restaurateur tells Victoria Buzz that the realization of this business has come full circle as her eldest daughter encouraged her to pursue the business. “I was sitting with my oldest daughter one day and she’s like, mom if we ever can we should open a tater tot restaurant. I ended up getting a settlement, and we were just like, okay let’s try this,” says Reardon. For those curious about what’s offered on the menu, Reardon wants guests to know there’s a meal waiting for everyone. “We’re 90% gluten-free, there are only three things on our menu that isn’t gluten free. We also have plenty of vegan and keto options,” says Reardon.
Victoria Buzz, August 17, 2022
- Get your bellies ready, Langford. A new eatery is coming to town and there’s nothing like it in the region. Opening across from Winners / HomeSense in at Westshore Town Centre, Totchos will be serving up loaded tater tots, hand-helds (fancy tacos), snacks and soft serve ice cream, with lots of vegan, low-carb and no sugar options as well. “We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a brand-new retailer opening at Westshore Town Centre this Fall,” Marketing Manager Kelly McClure Marketing said in an email to Victoria Buzz. Totchos is locally owned and while no specific opening date was announced, it is slated to open this fall. “The owners are very excited to be opening this first-of-its-kind restaurant at Westshore Town Centre and to serve up delicious food and fun to the Westshore community,” said McClure. Even better, each table at the restaurant will be equipped with a built-in retro video gaming system for loads of family fun!
The ‘VIP’ Food Truck is often at Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo but please, check their Facebook & Instagram accounts.
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Van Isle Poutinerie (VIP) 100% Gluten-Free French Fry Food Truck! Also 100% tree-nut, peanut, seafood & shellfish free! Dairy-free and vegan options, too!
Danielle & Ashley have made our poutine dreams come true! They have committed to providing gluten-free, vegetarian & vegan customers with their right to delicious classic poutines + poutines with a twist! VIP will not compromise on their integrity and quality of what they serve! Full stop!
See Sample Menu or scroll down to view. Dips, sauces, floats & drinks also on offer. Almost anything can be adapted to dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan. Their VIP food truck is tree-nut and peanut-free.
Van Isle Poutinerie loves special events so look for them at Summer by the Sea Street Market in Parksville, Commercial Night Market in Nanaimo & Ladysmith Days down at Transfer Beach Park.
Take advantage of the ‘beeper’ they offer so that you can enjoy the event while they get your order ready. Wherever they are, know that they are there to serve you – safely and deliciously!
Book Van Isle Poutinerie for YOUR private event!
The VEGCHEESE Connection!
Van Isle Poutinerie’s chosen line of gluten-free, vegan cheese melts, bubbles & broils like ‘real’ cheese!
In fact, their cheese has become so popular that VIP is now selling ‘VEGCHEESE’ – on its own – right from their food truck!
Now available at MB Mart (Nanaimo.) Coming to Pomme Natural Market (Coquitlam) Saturday, September 2nd!
- Pre-orders available! Contact [email protected] to preorder for pick up from the food truck.
- VEGCHEESE sales tables will be coming soon to Farmer’s Markets near you!
- Also available in bulk sizes for retailers or restaurants! Contact [email protected]
- Follow VEGCHEESE on Instagram & Facebook
VEGCHEESE is made with organic ingredients and manufactured in a dedicated vegan, nut-free, seed-free & gluten-free facility.
Looking for the perfect cheese for your vegan poutine? These dairy free cheese curds melt beautifully yet still hold their curd-like shape in your favourite dish. Please note…they don’t squeak.
Contact [email protected] to preorder for pick up from the food truck.
Italian Black Truffle 200 gr $14.99
A rich, bold and aromatic cheese made with 100% pure Italian black truffles and 0% mushrooms. Enjoy on a warm baguette or mixed into risotto for a deeply flavourful dish. Semi-soft.
Contact [email protected] to preorder for pick up from the food truck.
A creamy, herb and garlic cheese. Perfect on a cheese platter, sliced and spread on a bagel or added to your favourite pasta for a rich and savoury sauce. Semi-firm
Contact [email protected] to preorder for pick up from the food truck
Fresh Mozzarella 200 gr $12.99
A mild, smooth and incredibly versatile cheese. Slice and serve on crackers, in a caprese salad or melted on a pizza. Semi-firm
Contact [email protected] to preorder for pick up from the food truck
About Danielle!
“I’ve been working in restaurants for almost 20 years now. Food has been a big passion of mine most of my life. As a person who lives with food sensitivities and hearing from diners how hard it is for them to find safe – and tasty – gluten free food, I am became very aware of the challenges that many diners face.”
“My mom took me to a food truck festival in Edmonton when I was a kid and I was so hooked on the idea. I have friends from elementary school who say they remember me talking about having my own truck one day. My husband nurtured that dream and was instrumental in making my it come true.”
“My business partner Ashley jumped on board to get the ball rolling and by early September 2022, we decided to go for it! We purchased a truck just two weeks later and had our launch just a month after that, in what may have been the snowiest December on record!”
“We are over the moon to see how warmly we have been received, not only by people with food sensitivities, vegans and vegetarians, but by the food truck community who often sends their customers our way for the food they need. A big thanks to everyone!”