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.
10th Annual Island Showcase
3829 Cadboro Bay Road – 10am to 2pm
Pepper’s Foods is gathering the local products that we love, putting them under a giant tent outside the store!
Sample and save on your gluten-free faves!
Daksha’s Gourmet Spices • From the Earth Curry • Holy Homous • Laughing Daughters
Millstone Organics • Mocolate • Salt Spring Harvest Pate • Yeshi Dressing
Take advantage of this week’s sales while you are here!
Click on image to enlarge
Pepper’s Foods has been bringing the best in local gluten free to customers in Cadboro Bay since 1962.
A bustling market at 3829 Cadboro Bay Road, 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!
• Sale on Gluten-Free Items
• Weekly Specials
• Gluten-Free Product List
• Deliveries to Your Door
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• 10% Student discount EVERY day!
• 10% Senior’s discount Tuesdays and Wednesdays
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.”
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- Scott Zaichkowsky, Assistant Grocery Manager
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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!
Click for more information
• Thursday, November 21 – 10am to 5pm
• Friday, November 22 – 10am to 4pm
• Sunday, November 24 – 10am to 5pm
Learn more about Cedar & Yellow Point Artisans Association’s Country Christmas Tour Here.
- Introducing the Beyond Meat Taco! seasoned with Taco Revolution’s organic taco spice blend, topped with cheddar, shredded lettuce, diced onion, tomato, crema and salsa. It is non-GMO and can be ordered vegan style (without dairy). And as always – it’s 100% gluten free!
Taco Revolution’s tortillas are prepared fresh daily at their dedicated gluten-free facility, made with Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free, non-GMO corn flour! Authentic Guajillo, Ancho, Achiote, Chipotle spices and cocao are imported from dedicated facilities in Mexico. All other ingredients are sourced fresh, and as locally as possible from cod to cilantro, carrots to tomatoes! No gluten is allowed on the food truck – full stop! Love, love, love the Revolution!
Taco Revolution tacos are so good you will want them every day, and that’s possible: Keep tabs on Taco Revolution no matter where they go!
• Taco Revolution Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
Taco Revolution caters birthday parties, Christmas parties, corporate events, weddings and any kind of public and private events.
Bring the Taco Revolution to your event. They can can take care of your guests with their “All-you-can-eat taco parties”. Basically, it’s like having an open bar, but with tacos! Their prices typically range from $15 to $20 per person, depending on the menu.
Easy is their middle name! Taco Revolution provides all necessary biodegradable service ware (plates, napkins, forks, etc.) and for an extra cost we can provide non-alcoholic drinks as well. Let them give you the peace of mind you deserve during your event!
Contact uprise@tacorevolution.ca or call 250-244-6492 with the desired date, the proposed number of attendees and your preferred budget.
Taco Revolution serves in Victoria, Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cedar, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and anywhere in between.
• Thursday, November 21 – 10am to 5pm
• Friday, November 22 – 10am to 4pm
• Sunday, November 24 – 10am to 5pm
Learn more about Cedar & Yellow Point Artisans Association’s Country Christmas Tour Here.
- Introducing the Beyond Meat Taco! seasoned with Taco Revolution’s organic taco spice blend, topped with cheddar, shredded lettuce, diced onion, tomato, crema and salsa. It is non-GMO and can be ordered vegan style (without dairy). And as always – it’s 100% gluten free!
Taco Revolution’s tortillas are prepared fresh daily at their dedicated gluten-free facility, made with Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free, non-GMO corn flour! Authentic Guajillo, Ancho, Achiote, Chipotle spices and cocao are imported from dedicated facilities in Mexico. All other ingredients are sourced fresh, and as locally as possible from cod to cilantro, carrots to tomatoes! No gluten is allowed on the food truck – full stop! Love, love, love the Revolution!
Taco Revolution tacos are so good you will want them every day, and that’s possible: Keep tabs on Taco Revolution no matter where they go!
• Taco Revolution Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
Taco Revolution caters birthday parties, Christmas parties, corporate events, weddings and any kind of public and private events.
Bring the Taco Revolution to your event. They can can take care of your guests with their “All-you-can-eat taco parties”. Basically, it’s like having an open bar, but with tacos! Their prices typically range from $15 to $20 per person, depending on the menu.
Easy is their middle name! Taco Revolution provides all necessary biodegradable service ware (plates, napkins, forks, etc.) and for an extra cost we can provide non-alcoholic drinks as well. Let them give you the peace of mind you deserve during your event!
Contact uprise@tacorevolution.ca or call 250-244-6492 with the desired date, the proposed number of attendees and your preferred budget.
Taco Revolution serves in Victoria, Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cedar, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and anywhere in between.
• Thursday, November 21 – 10am to 5pm
• Friday, November 22 – 10am to 4pm
• Sunday, November 24 – 10am to 5pm
Learn more about Cedar & Yellow Point Artisans Association’s Country Christmas Tour Here.
- Introducing the Beyond Meat Taco! seasoned with Taco Revolution’s organic taco spice blend, topped with cheddar, shredded lettuce, diced onion, tomato, crema and salsa. It is non-GMO and can be ordered vegan style (without dairy). And as always – it’s 100% gluten free!
Taco Revolution’s tortillas are prepared fresh daily at their dedicated gluten-free facility, made with Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free, non-GMO corn flour! Authentic Guajillo, Ancho, Achiote, Chipotle spices and cocao are imported from dedicated facilities in Mexico. All other ingredients are sourced fresh, and as locally as possible from cod to cilantro, carrots to tomatoes! No gluten is allowed on the food truck – full stop! Love, love, love the Revolution!
Taco Revolution tacos are so good you will want them every day, and that’s possible: Keep tabs on Taco Revolution no matter where they go!
• Taco Revolution Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
Taco Revolution caters birthday parties, Christmas parties, corporate events, weddings and any kind of public and private events.
Bring the Taco Revolution to your event. They can can take care of your guests with their “All-you-can-eat taco parties”. Basically, it’s like having an open bar, but with tacos! Their prices typically range from $15 to $20 per person, depending on the menu.
Easy is their middle name! Taco Revolution provides all necessary biodegradable service ware (plates, napkins, forks, etc.) and for an extra cost we can provide non-alcoholic drinks as well. Let them give you the peace of mind you deserve during your event!
Contact uprise@tacorevolution.ca or call 250-244-6492 with the desired date, the proposed number of attendees and your preferred budget.
Taco Revolution serves in Victoria, Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cedar, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and anywhere in between.
