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!

May
5
Sun
Wise Bites & Chef Pola Inc @ Veg Expo Vancouver
May 5 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Veg Expo VancouverCanada’s Premier Vegan and Sustainability Expo Sunday, May 5th 10:00am to 5:00 pm at the Vancouver Convention Centre West.

Learn more about Vegexpo.ca


WiseBites IG

Wise Bites is a baker and distributor of delicious, healthy food products based in Richmond, B.C. Their products are safe for those with any of the eleven most common allergies and sensitivities – and to help everyone satisfy their cravings for a healthy snack or dessert. Learn more …

  • CERTIFICATIONS: Gluten‐Free, Vegan, NON‐GMO, Kosher, HACCP
  • FREE from the Top 11 Allergens
  • HIGH in protein, fibre & iron
  • LOW in sugar, fat & sodium – sweetened mostly with dates
  • NUTRITIONAL VALUE – use only healthy, clean ingredients
  • CONVENIENTLY PACKAGED – grab n’ go snacks – School Safe (Nut‐Free)
  • DEDICATED FACILTY – no risk of cross contamination
  • THAW & SERVE products for bakery

Don’t miss the debut of Chef Pola’s Gluten-Free Granola at Booth #120

Catch Chef Pola’s Main Stage Presentation at 12:30pm
How Food Choices and Daily Habits can Create Better Health and Balance

Vegan Rob's

Vegan Rob’s – Booth #117

  • Entrepreneur Robert Ehrlich had already created several of the most iconic snack brands of the past generation but like Chef Pola Culinary, Rob wanted to launch a new snack food focused on nutrition and compassion.
  • His goals were simple: love yourself, our planet and all living things. Then make a product that was delicious, gluten-free and a whole lot of fun. Learn more here!

Chef Pola Sorbatto

Sorbatto – Booth #116

  • Sorbatto™ Frosty Blue is created with the whole blueberry – all of the flavor, plus all the antioxidant-rich nutrients! Frosty Blue isn’t a sorbet, and it isn’t a gelato. It’s a bold, yet smooth fruit experience in a league all its own. Frosty Blue begins with the blueberry’s natural pectins and fiber, creating a rich, creamy, texture all by itself, without the use of syrup (like sorbet) or dairy (like gelato).
  • Plant-based products, straight from the Yakima valley in Washington State to your freezer! Learn more here.
Apr
16
Sun
Victoria Gluten Free Foodies Meet Up @ MeeT Vegetarian / Vegan Restaurant
Apr 16 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

MeeT Blanshard Burger

Meet Up at MeeT Vegan / Vegetarian Restaurant at 797 Hillside Ave in the former Boston Pizza location

4 – 6pm on Sunday, April 16
RSVPs REQUIRED to ellen@theceliacsene.com

eatmeet.caMenu • FacebookInstagraminfo@eatmeet.ca • 250-704-2900

MeeT Reshapes the Restaurant Industry 

Never before in The Celiac Scene’s history have I interviewed a restaurant so aware of its ingredients and so committed to serving the unique needs of each and every diner.

Food sensitivities are not just accommodated, they are celebrated!

MeeT Blanshard Grill CheeseBecause MeeT is committed to honouring the vegan and vegetarian choices of its diners, they visit with every supplier and build strong relationships with each one of them.

In the course of doing so, they become keenly aware which ingredients contain gluten along with a host of other food allergens. As a result, MeeT has effectively deconstructed the building blocks of food, and from there, created amazing meals in ways that meet almost any need – or want!

I spoke with Adam Twohey, former chef at MeeT’s Yaletown location in Vancouver, and now Victoria’s MeeT  Manager. He impressed me with his comprehensive knowledge of everything this 4-location offers. Be amazed!

  • Dedicated gluten-free deep fryer
  • Dedicated gluten-free grill
  • All toppings used to dress meals are taken from fresh containers.
  • If there is any doubt about the GF status of an ingredient container, a fresh container is taken from their walk-in cooler.
  • Any loose flours used at MeeT are gluten free
  • MeeT uses Little Northern (vegan) brand bread and buns for their gluten-free burgers and sandwiches. 
  • MeeT Blanshard symbolsMeeT’s menu is notated to indicate which meals contain gluten and nuts. Many of these meals can still be adapted to gluten free. Ask your server – they are eager to help!
  • Please always assert your needs when ordering items that do not have a gluten notation to ensure that the kitchen can take necessary precautions.
  • OATS! The oat-intolerant can rejoice in knowing that oats are not incorporated into any of MeeT’s offerings! 
  • Oat milk however is used, and it should be noted that it is NOT gluten-free. 
  • Specially ordered meals may take longer to prepare and cook. Please be patient. 

“I am thrilled that MeeT Restaurant has made its way to Victoria. I encourage our community to offer this breakthrough establishment its warmest welcome!” Ellen Bayens, The Celiac Scene


MeeT Blanshard BowlsMore About MeeT
“Ivo, Jason and Linda have spent the last 20 years in Vancouver, owning and operating a total of 8 restaurants and organic grocery stores throughout the city!”

“They launched the concept of MeeT with a purpose to re-engage in the restaurant industry – not just to succeed in this market, but to re-shape it!”

“From customers perceptions of comfort food, to staff perceptions of what a workplace should be, their goal is to surpass and re-imagine the restaurant establishment to be a better version of itself!” Learn more …


MeeT Restaurant Blanshard igI have severe food allergies. Can I eat in your restaurant?
“We take food allergies very seriously. While we can never guarantee that our food is 100% free of allergens, there are several steps that we take to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. We are a peanut-free establishment, two of our deep fryers are used exclusively for gluten-free items, and our menu is egg and dairy free.”

“Our menu does make extensive use of ingredients such as nuts, wheat, and soy, but we take great care to process these items separately to avoid cross contamination. Please specify with your server the nature and severity of your allergy. Severe allergy bills do take us longer to prepare and cook.”

*Despite all of this, there is always a chance of human error in prepping or cooking of food, or cross-contaminated food from suppliers. For this reason, guests should be comfortable with these potential factors before eating with us. Learn more …


Do you have a kids menu, and are you kid friendly?
“OMG, we love ‘em! We were recently featured on a Kids Edition episode of You Gotta Eat Here! (season 5 episode 16, but who’s counting?) where we showed off a few of our favourite kid friendly dishes; the Chili Cheez Fries, Mac’N’Cheez Burger, and Chocolate Coconut Ganache Tart. We don’t have a dedicated kids menu, but there are lots of items on our menus that your kids will love!” Learn more …

Find MeeT  in Vancouver

  • Main – 4288 Main St – 604-696-1010
  • Gastown – Inner Courtyard, 12 Water St – 604-696-1111
  • Yaletown – 1165 Mainland St – 604-696-1165

 

Jul
22
Sat
Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream Trailer @ Deadlifts for Dogs
Jul 22 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Mizu Cones wp

Saturday, July 22nd – Deadlift for Dogs 11am – 5pm
Truth Gym at 1035 Alston for the Raincoast Dog Rescue Charity Event

A taste of New Zealand in the heart of Vancouver Island!

Mix strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mixed berries, banana, mango or pineapple with ice cream or vegan soft serve. Served in a gluten-free, vegan waffle cone. No added colours, flavours or sugar.

Often at Nanaimo’s Departure Bay Beach but please confirm at Mizu’s Facebook Page or Instagram Account for daily locations and times!

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 ofd 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!

Book Mizu for your next celebration! Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream FacebookInstagram • Mizurealfruiticecream@gmail.com • 1-250-319-5212


Mizu 9The Soft Serve – You Choose!

  • 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.
  • If you would like vegan soft serve, ask for a fresh, ‘Gem Stir Stick.’
  • 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!

Coming soon! Special flavours like Hokey Pokey Toffee in a pint, special orders & pre-ordering.


Mizu 2The Cones!

  • ‘Unique Cake (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.
  • Packaging is colour-coded to clearly identify gluten & gluten-friendly cones.

Mizu Food Trailer igThe Trailer!

  • On the trailer, gluten-friendly cones are stored in a LOCKED dedicated cupboard, 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.

Mizu Raincoast Rescue SocietyWhy Mizu!

  • 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.

Little Jem Mixer

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!

 


Mizu Cone on the BeachMizu Line UpMizu MerchMizu 8Mizu 4Celiac Scene Member Sticker