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!
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?
- 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?
How do staff ensure that all utensils used in preparing gluten-free orders are free of any trace of gluten?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.
A very special gluten-free foodie night at Six Mile Pub – sponsored by Bard’s Beer! Each attendee will receive a Bard’s Beer Goodie Bag!
Saturday, February 8 at 6:30 pm. Onion Rings! Fish & Chips! Chicken Wings! Click here to view all menus!
Find Six Mile Pub at 494 Old Island Highway in View Royal, British Columbia
250-478-3121 • Free Parking • Accessible • Six Mile Pub • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
Six Mile Pub’s delicious food is made from scratch the hard way but the right way, by passionate, professional chefs and their apprentices.
- There are no microwaves in their kitchen
- What they provide, is what food is meant to be.
- Pure, honest and full of goodness.
- Created with ingredients that are sourced as close to home.
- And as close to Mother Nature, as is possible and practical.
Six Mile Pub pulls out all the gluten-free stops – every day! Ask about their Feature Sheet!
Sundays! Gluten-free a la carte! Hotcake stack, eggs benedict, omelettes, hash browns and amazing desserts! Gear up with a Mimosa, a Caesar or even a gluten-free beer. Gots Kids? Ask to be seated in the Family Room and order from the Kids Menu!
Six Mile Pub Believes in Great Food that Happens to be Gluten Free!
- TESTIMONIAL: Just had dinner last night at the 6 Mile Pub on Old Island Highway. Wow! I have eaten here before but was amazed again at the GF menu selection, presentation, deliciousness, and the feeling of safety eating there. We went with another family and it was so awesome that I could share food with others who easily ordered GF even though they aren’t Celiac because there is just so many good things to choose from. The calamari is the best I have had anywhere. All the deserts were gluten free. How is this possible I wondered? I asked the waitress and she told me the chef is Celiac! We need more Celiac chefs that are this creative!! I this has got to be best restaurant for dinner for Celiacs in the Victoria area.
The 160 year-old View Royal pub that served the Gold Rush has set the gold standard for gluten free! Pub fare created with culinary flare, Six Mile is proud to serve ‘SIX-Nature’ chicken wings, deep-fried halibut and – wait for it – safe french fries & yam fries cooked in a dedicated deep fryer!
Six Mile Pub’s Red Seal Chefs and their protégées pride themselves on meeting the needs of celiac diners and anyone with sensitivities i.e. dairy, soy, nuts or shellfish.
The kudos continue – it is not necessary to call ahead to announce a gluten-free diner, but those with additional sensitivities will be treated like royalty if you let the chefs know at 250-478-3121. They’ve yet to meet an allergy they have not been able to accommodate.
There’s a cozy corner, a sun-drenched patio or a pool table just right for you. Families are welcome with a menu made with the celiac child in mind. The family room, open daily until 9pm also makes a great space for group functions.
Gluten-free pizza is a Happy Hour feature everyday from 3 – 5pm made with Six Mile’s Signature Sourdough Crust.
Six Mile produces its own light and fluffy gluten-free buns with a Celiac Scene Approved Secret Ingredient!
DID YOU KNOW?
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- That all the Pastas, Breads and Corn Tortilla Chips we serve are made fresh, right here in our own kitchen.
- That we keep our own Honey Bees in our Riverside Culinary Garden and Apiary to produce pure, unpasteurized honey for our Bar syrups and desserts.
- That one of our goals is to foster a healthier community by serving only wild Ocean-Wise seafood, “Drug-Free” meats and Organic produce wherever possible and practical.
- That it is important to us to help sustain the Local Economy by providing local employment and purchasing from Local farms such as Parry Bay Sheep Farm, Laughing Ducks Farm and Saanich Organics.
- That because of the purity of our food, many of our guests with Food Allergies and Sensitivities are now able to enjoy a proper “restaurant” meal.
- That we long for the day when ALL our Guests will already know that EVERYTHING we serve is made from scratch, on-site, and that we will no longer need to use terms like “house-made” and “fresh” to describe our food.
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Find Six Mile Pub at 494 Old Island Highway in View Royal, British Columbia
250-478-3121 • Free Parking • Accessible •
Six Mile Pub • Menus with ‘GF’ Notations • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram
RSVP at ellen@theceliacscene.com or through Victoria’s GF Foodies.
Six Mile Pub Believes in Great Food that just happens to be Gluten Free!
• All of Six Mile’s deep fryers are gluten free
• Proprietary gluten-free flours expertly blended in house
• Contraband flours are stored away from the prep hall
• Gluten-free kitchen guidelines in place
• Gluten-free education / staff training is ongoing
• Menu has GF icons marking house-made, gluten-free products. Enjoy!
Providing us with the gluten-free options we love for Patio Dining, Take Out or Delivery: Bangers • Bean Tacos • Calamari • Crab Cake • Crispy Cauliflower • Fish & Chips • Nasi Goreng • Pan-Seared Cod • Perogies • Poutine • Seafood Paella • Shepherd’s Pie • SixNature Wings • Thai Chicken Salad & so much more! Decadent desserts, too!
Gluten-Free Beer! Whistler Forager in Bottles • Ciders • Glutenberg
Open for Indoor Dining, Take-Out & Delivery
- MON – THURS 11:00am – 8:00pm
- FRI & SAT 11:00am – 10:00pm
- SUN 11:00am – 8:00pm
- BRUNCH Sat & Sun 11am – 2pm
- HAPPY HOUR Daily 3pm – 6pm
- RIVERSIDE PATIO: open for seating between mid-Spring and mid-Fall.
The 160 year-old View Royal pub that served the Gold Rush has set the gold standard for gluten free! It has seating for over 300 guests, including some on the Riverside Patio that overlooks Millstream.
Their pub fare is created with culinary flare. Six Mile is proud to serve ‘SIX-Nature’ chicken wings, deep-fried halibut and – wait for it – safe french fries, yam fries and even onion rings cooked in a dedicated deep fryer!
Six Mile Pub’s Red Seal Chefs and their protégées pride themselves on meeting the needs of celiac diners and anyone with sensitivities i.e. dairy, soy, nuts or shellfish.
Be sure to ask for their ‘Feature Sheet!’
There’s a cozy corner, a sun-drenched patio or a pool table just right for you. Families are welcome with a menu made with the celiac child in mind. The family room also makes a great space for group functions.
- TESTIMONIAL: Just had dinner last night at the 6 Mile Pub on Old Island Highway. Wow! I have eaten here before but was amazed again at the GF menu selection, presentation, deliciousness, and the feeling of safety eating there. We went with another family and it was so awesome that I could share food with others who easily ordered GF even though they aren’t Celiac because there is just so many good things to choose from. The calamari is the best I have had anywhere. All the desserts were gluten free. How is this possible I wondered? I asked the waitress and she told me the chef is Celiac! We need more Celiac chefs that are this creative!! I this has got to be best restaurant for dinner for Celiacs in the Victoria area.
Six Mile produces its own light and fluffy gluten-free buns with a Celiac Scene Approved Secret Ingredient!
Six Mile Pub pulls out all the gluten-free stops – every Sunday! Gluten-free hotcake stack, eggs benedict, omelettes, hash browns and amazing desserts! Gots Kids? Ask to be seated in the Family Room and order from the Kids Menu!
Unique at The Six Mile
- We do not own or use microwave ovens
- Only high-quality oil is used in our fryers. While more costly, the quality is in the taste and the value is in its healthful properties
- We serve handmade artisan products including pasta, sausages & bread
- Our apiary produces an abundance of honey that we use in many recipes
- All seafood options are recommended by the Vancouver Aquarium as ocean-friendly
- Patrons of all ages (including minors) are always welcome
The historic Six Mile Pub is the Oldest Pub in BC. It has seating for over 300 guests, including some on the Riverside Patio that overlooks Millstream. All menu items, are prepared from scratch using thoughtfully and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Let’s meet up and try one of the most elusive of gluten-free cuisines – celiac-safe Japanese food!
Room for only 7 attendees.
Tuesday, May 16 at 6pm
Ebizo Japanese Restaurant
604 Broughton St
(250) 383-3234
MENU • Facebook • Instagram
Email ellen@theceliacscene.com to RSVP
Thank you to Pure Lovin’ for their donation of delicious organic, gluten-free, vegan chocolates as a very special ‘Treat to Go!’
Based on the great experience of one of our most intrepid Gluten-Free Foodies, I popped in to speak with Ebizo about their ability to serve celiac diners.
Server Nigh-Yee readily identified which rolls, nigiri and sashimi are already gluten free, or could be adapted to be so. They can furnish us with gluten-free soy sauce.
I asked that on this occasion, that the chefs be made aware that our group requires 100% gluten-free food and to take any extra precautions to necessary to assure our safety.
Ebizo is a small restaurant so they only take reservations for groups of seven or less. This means this meet up is quite exclusive and that if you are interested, best to sign up soon!
Arigato!
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Pictures from the Meet Up!
Floating Fish Store is offering attendees a 25% discount on gluten-free fried items, in our honour!
MORE! $1.00 off Whistler GF Beer and $1.00 off Merridale Cider!
Enjoy the fresh air of Fisherman’s Wharf or cuddle up in their cozy, heated enclosure!
LOOK FOR ELLEN IN HER BRIGHT YELLOW SLICKER!
TESTIMONIAL
- Outstanding!!!!!!!!++ Gluten free everything, tastes like real. Any fish battered in gluten-free batter. Soooooo good. We had halibut rock cod and oysters UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!
• Click for English Menu • Français • Español • Deutsch • 简体中
• Fresh Fish • Blog – Fresh Catches • About the Floating Fish Store • floatingfishstore.com
• Contact the Fish Store • (250) 383-6462 • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
Scan QR Code for Floating Fish Store’s Menu in 5 Languages!
- Lots of seating available on the dock or in their cozy, heated licensed seating area
- Now serving hot chocolate, latte, espressos & cappuccinos
- Open 11:00 to 7:00, 7 days a week.
- Call 250-383-6462 to pre-order
- Floating Fish Store is not using delivery services at this time.
Why the Gluten-Free Love the Floating Fish Store
- Dedicated deep fryer for fresh-cut, twice-fried gluten-free french fries
- Certified Gluten-Free Sorghum light-crisp batter for deep-fried fish, cooked in a dedicated fryer)
- Gluten-Free Home-Made Tartar Sauce & Coleslaw
- Gluten-Free Halibut Malu – Local Halibut simmered w/ onions, lentils, tomatoes & a hint of curry, finished w/ cilantro & lime
- Gluten-Free Tacos by Taco Revolution! – Soft corn tortilla, house smoked tomato salsa, shredded cabbage, citrus cream, fresh cilantro & lime
- Salads with home-made, gluten-free dressings: Toasted Sesame • Balsamic Vinaigrette • Buttermilk Ranch • Olive Oil w/ Balsamic Vinegar & Lemon
- Steamers – shellfish gently steamed & served when just done.
- The finest live oysters from BC waters served on a bed of ice, lemon & your choice of cocktail sauce, hot sauce, ginger, mignonette, preserved lemon mignonette, cucumber & jalapeno mignonette, pickled red onion mignonette or freshly grated horseradish
- Oyster selection varies by day. Come often!
- Daily Buck-a-Shuck from 4-5 pm
- View the menus below.
Celiac-Safe Touch – Let your server know that you require a gluten-free meal and they will call your order out, all on its own. No chance of collecting the wrong order. Much appreciated!
Not only does the Floating Fish Stores cook seafood, they sell and ship it!
Kudos to The Floating Fish Store
- North America’s first 100% Ocean Wise Seafood Store & Restaurant
- Serving fresh catch from west coast waters – whenever possible
- Situated on Fisherman’s Wharf in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada
- Experience a working harbour and stroll among colourful houseboats
- Surrounded by seals in their natural environment – you can almost reach out and touch them!
