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!

Nov
23
Sat
CANCELLED – Benjamin’s Bites @ Glenlyon Norfolk School Fair
Nov 23 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Benjamin's Bites Esquimalt Collage
APOLOGIES TO ALL! BENJAMIN”S BITES WILL NOT BE APPEARING. Special orders up to Christmas still welcome at info@benjaminsbites.com or 250-884-3093.

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Benjamin's Bites Cookies Esquimalt Farmer's Market copyAbout Benjamin’s Bites

Benjamin’s Bites Cookies and Brownies are made with documented to be 100% gluten-free, peanut/tree nut free, soy-free ingredients. These vegan treats are produced in a “home kitchen,” using a strict cross-contamination prevention protocol. For further information, please contact Benjamin’s Bites directly at info@benjaminsbites.com or 250-884-3093.

  • Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free, Peanut-Free, Tree-Nut-Free, Sesame-Free, Soy-Free, Sulfite-Free
  • Vegetarian, Vegan, Kosher, GMO free
  • Camino chocolate is organic and fair trade from LaSiembra Cooperative
  • Complete Ingredient List: GF flours (rice, potato starch, tapioca starch, sorghum), vegan margarine or palm shortening, vegan sugar, flax, chia, water, cocoa, chocolate, organic apples, GF oats, cinnamon, chai spice, raisins, coconut milk, non-gmo canola oil, sea salt, baking soda, baking powder, xanthan gum, sunflower butter, skittles candy, molasses, custard powder, coconut, vegan icing sugar.

S’mores Cupcakes

Benjamin’s Bites’ Back Story

Benjamin’s Bites Cookies were borne out of necessity. At fourteen months, Tony and Debbie discovered that their son, Benjamin, had multiple food allergies. It was heartbreaking and frightening to see his body react with real physical symptoms.

After eliminating everything that Benjamin’s body was reacting to, the next step was to eat as many whole foods as possible. Debbie had always been a “label reader” but became increasingly concerned when she picked up product after product and realized, “No, he can’t have this.” It was challenging, but after searching they found a variety of foods which were safe for Benjamin. The one thing we were unable to find was a cookie which tasted both homemade and was also appealing to those without food intolerances. The family had some tough critics when it came to sweets. They were the perfect test subjects!

Benjamins Bites WPLike Debbie’s Grandma and Mom, I loved to bake. She challenged herself to create a cookie that contained no gluten, eggs, soy, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, or sulphites. The flour blends found in the stores just didn’t seem to have the taste she was searching for. Why not mill her own, she thought? She  purchased a home grain mill and, after many combinations of grains, came up with ‘Benjamin’s Bites Flour Blend.’

Debbie began to bake cookies and bake cookies and bake cookies! After almost two years of test baking (and some real hockey pucks), she had a cookie that was free of gluten, eggs, soy, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and sulphites. The best thing? It tasted really good.

Our mission has never changed: to create a gluten free/allergy friendly cookie that tasted homemade and used familiar and pronounceable ingredients.

They were developed for people who can’t eat a regular cookie due to allergies or gluten sensitivities, but the upshot is that people without food intolerances are enjoying them, too! We encourage everyone to taste Benjamin’s Bites Cookies, always checking the ingredients before sharing.  We do have some tricks up our sleeves, so be on the lookout for more Benjamin’s Bites products soon.

 

Apr
20
Sat
Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies Dine Out @ Tartan Toque
Apr 20 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Celiac-Scene-April-2024-E-News wpDine as a Group at Tartan Toque! Saturday, April 20 from 5pm at 1507 Pandora Avenue. Right next door to Origin Bakery!

• Everyone welcome! Gluten-free diners as well as significant others who may or may not eat gluten free! Family friendly!
• Tartan Toque’s token of appreciation! Complimentary Panna Cotta Dessert!  (contains dairy)
• RSVPs a MUST before Thursday, April 18! Contact ellen@theceliacscene.com.
• Drop ins and ‘no shows’ are not cool. Notice of cancellation required or risk being excluded from future events.
• Additional food sensitivities / allergies? Please contact Tartan Toque directly at 778-265-9464.

Brendan and staff are eager to serve you – 7 days a week from noon to 9pm. Specials!
  • Monday Nights – Shafts – coffee-flavoured cocktails (GF) 
  • Tuesdays & Thursday – Pitcher Specials (contain gluten)
  • Wednesdays – Wing Nights – second orders are half price! (GF)
  • Sunday – Special pricing on Caesars (made with GF Worcestershire sauce!)

Tartan Toque Logo igTartan Toque is Victoria’s Premier Wings Restaurant! New owner Brendan Walker, is a Red Seal Chef with vast experience in the hospitality industry .

He is proud to have worked at some of Canada’s best hotels: the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax;  the Shangri-la Hotel in Toronto;  Weston Bayshore, Fairmont Waterfront & Pan Pacific Hotels in Vancouver and the Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel in Victoria.

  • Perhaps what makes Brendan most qualified to undertake a makeover of this very popular restaurant is that his father has celiac disease. Brendan gets it!

1507 Pandora (right next door to Origin Bakery) Open 7 days a week! 12 – 9pm
tartantoque.caOrder Online • 778-265-9464
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Tartan Toque CIn advance of Tartan Toque’s reopening, Brendan used his skills to hone what was already a mostly celiac-friendly menu to (almost) 100% gluten-free. ‘The Toque’ has been voted Victoria’s Best Wings many times over. Each item is made in house, from scratch.

  • Wings, their sauces and – wait for it – gluten-free deep-fried pickles, calamari, crispy chicken & fries
  • All deep fryers are dedicated gluten-free
  • No loose flour on site, gluten or otherwise. All desserts are gluten free
  • Tartan Toque is pleased to offer us Whistler’s Forager Beer, ciders and a selection of carefully curated wines. 

Tartan Toque EWhere’s the gluten, then?! The only gluten-containing items on the premises are hamburger & hot dog buns, wraps, croutons and a selection of gluten beers.

If you are a celiac or require a scrupulously gluten-free meal, make that crystal clear when ordering. * Staff will swap in Origin Bakery bread or bun, refresh their gloves and settings and, importantly, will use fresh toppings from un-opened bins. **

* As in any kitchen that also handles even the smallest amount of gluten, Tartan Toque cautions that the risk of cross contact, albeit remote, may still be a possibility. 

** NOTE: for the oat sensitive: ‘pure’ oats are used in all burgers.

Tartan Toque Small Bites Menu
Tartan Toque Big Bites Menu

Tartan Toque ATartan Toque BTartan Toque DTartan Toque FCeliac Scene Certificate of Appreciation Tartan ToqueCeliac Scene Membership Badge