The CCA’s GF 101 Sessions are normally  ‘Members Only’ BUT because we know that so many people need this kind of support, we have opened up the webinar to the public. Everyone welcome! Who is Ellen Bayens?

Communication is the key ingredient to every successful gluten-free restaurant meal. When diners, chefs and servers are able to collaborate on what is required and what can be reasonably delivered, there is cause for celebration!

But where to begin?

The following is a list of suggested questions to help Start the Conversation on Celiac-Friendly Dining©. In very short order, the responses you receive will allow you to gage any given restaurant’s degree of  gluten awareness – and willingness.  For the very best outcome, call ahead or take your host or server aside before ordering.

NOTE: Restaurants that have carefully researched how to serve us love going into detail. If your questions are met with impatience and exasperation – go with your gut. When restaurants get gluten free right, reward them generously!

Question #1

• Please tell me about the meals  you recommend to diners who need to eat gluten free?

Ingredients

• What ingredients will be used to make my order?
• How do staff  know whether ingredients are really gluten free?
  • Says so on labels?
  • Checked product website?
  • Called the manufacturer?
  • Checked with The Celiac Scene? The CCA?
• Will pure spices, prepared seasonings or soy sauce made from wheat be used to make my meal?
• What other food items are cooked in the oil that ‘gluten-free’ items are cooked in?
• How are sauces and dressings thickened?

Procedures

• How will my server communicate with the kitchen that a gluten-free order has been placed?
• How are gluten-free orders prepared in relation to the regular flow of the kitchen?
• Will staff wash their hands / change gloves / change aprons clean surfaces before preparing my order?
• How do staff ensure that all utensils used in preparing my food are free from any trace of gluten?
  • Separate or scrubbed frying pan? Griddle scrubbed? Aluminum foil barrier? Dedicated pots? Dedicated colanders?
• What other precautions do staff take to minimize / prevent cross contamination?
• How will my server confirm with the kitchen that the order they are collecting has been prepared gluten free?
• How will my server confirm that the order they are delivering to me is gluten free?
  

How did the restaurant learn how to meet the needs of gluten-free diners?

• Through The Celiac Scene? Canadian Celiac Association?
• Registered dietitian? Local health authority?
• Staff members with celiac disease?
  

Questions Specific to Pizza Restaurants 

• The risk of cross contamination with airborne gluten flour is HIGH. Partake only if strict protocols are in place to protect your safety.
• Are ‘gluten-free’ crusts prepared on-site? 
  • During regular operations? Before regular production? During downtimes / days?
  • See questions in Ingredient section above.
• Are pre-made ‘gluten-free’ crusts purchased from a dedicated gluten-free manufacturer? Who is the manufacturer?
• How are gluten-free sauces and toppings prepared?
  • During regular operations? Before regular production? During downtimes / days
  • See questions in Ingredient section above.
• How do staff ensure that all utensils used in preparing gluten-free orders are free of any trace of gluten?
• How are utensils, crusts, sauces and toppings protected from cross-contamination with gluten while waiting to be used?
• How will my order be protected from cross-contamination with gluten once it has been prepared and/or while waiting to be served?

If the prospect of grilling restaurants about their gluten-free friendliness feels intimidating, you’ve got options!

Visit The Celiac Scene for restaurants that enjoy an excellent reputation within Victoria and Vancouver Island’s celiac community.

Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies to dine with a gluten-free group at carefully vetted restaurants. With more than 100 Meet-Ups under our belts, choose from a huge inventory of tried and tested celiac-friendly restaurants.

Chasing Sunsets – An Evening of Violins with a Gluten-Free Intermission!
Lucy Toews & Serena Piercey
Saturday, June 10 – 7pm-10pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
145 Simms Rd, Campbell River
Event Details
Advance Tickets $12. Email lucy.toews@gmail.com for payment options.
Tickets $14 at the door: cash / e-transfer
Kids 12 & under: FREE

Enjoy a Variety of Gluten-Free Cupcakes at Intermission
Celiac-Created in a Gluten-Free Kitchen*
2/$5 with proceeds going to Celiac Canada
*An ingredient list will be displayed for each kind of cupcake. Cash sales only.

Lucy Toews

Lucy Toews, MA was diagnosed with Celiac Disease the summer before she entered university. She completed her Masters in Performance Violin at Memorial University in St. John’s, NL.

Serena Piercey

Fellow violinist, Serena Piercey, BA, has just completed her undergraduate Performance Violin, also at Memorial University.

Both Lucy and Serena will be attending the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec in September, 2023 for further studies.

Program
Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin in D minor, BWV 1004, J. S Bach
I. Allemanda
II. Corrente
III. Sarabanda
IV. Giga
V. Ciaconna
Sonata for 2 Violins in C major, op 56, Sergei Prokofiev
I. Andante cantabile
II. Allegro
III. Commodo (quasi Allegretto)
IV. Allegro con brio
-Intermission-
Sonata for 2 Violins in A minor, op posth, Eugène Ysaÿe
I. Poco lento, maestoso – Allegro fermo
Sonata for 2 Violins in E major, op. 12, No. 2, Jean-Marie Leclair
I. Allegro ma poco
II. Largo
III. Minuetto. Non troppo allegro
IV. Allegro