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?
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.
Meet Tameet! Vancouver Island’s one and only Eritrean-Ethiopian Food Truck! 100% Gluten Free!
Facebook • Instagram • Contact
Look for Tameet at Rib Fest!
A 3-day Food & Music Festival for people of all ages at Cumberland Village Park. Event Details …
Look for Tameet’s eye catching food truck for a gluten-free, vegan / vegetarian alternative to the carnage!
- Entry by donation in support Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club‘s local Accessible Bike Park Project.
- Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27.
- Friday 12-9pm • Saturday 11-9pm • Sunday 11-7pm. Instagram
Tameet Food Truck Regular Schedule
- Home base: 3274 3rd St in Cumberland See map.
- Sunday-Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 12-8pm. Fridays 4-8pm
- Music by cub.space on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Saturdays 9am-1pm at Comox Valley Farmer’s Market • Facebook • Instagram.
- Saturdays 4-8pm cub.space
- CLOSED Thursdays
Injera, a staple of Eritrean-Ethiopian food, is a fermented pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture. Think moist & flexible on a scale that our community rarely encounters. Injera is made with just two ingredients – teff flour and water.
Barley is often added to inherently gluten-free teff flour to save costs, however Tameet has elected to forego any savings in order to ensure that their food truck operation is authentic AND 100% celiac safe. Tameet sources its spices from single ingredient processors in Ethiopia – no gluten on site.
In some stretches of time where supply falls short, teff flour processed in a facility that also processes barley may also be used. Tameet will make sure the community is aware of the change in supplies until celiac safe teff arrives.
Tameet speaks our language!
More about Injera!
A teff and water sourdough starter is fermented for 2 days before it is called into action! Like any sourdough, Tameet keeps its ‘starter’ alive and well, setting aside enough for each future batch. Teff flour is added to the starter to create a dough that is then cooked in a large, flat pan. The result a thin, crepe-like ‘tortilla.’ On its own, injera offers a strong, flavourful sour bread. Paired with the Tameet’s rich sauces, they offer a delicious nutritional meal, high in protein, dietary fibre and iron.
Onion and tomatoes form the foundation of Eritrean-Ethiopian food. From there, Tameet offers six slow simmered, flavourful sauces & stews to go with their delicious injera. Enjoy a rotation of beef, lamb, chicken and on special occasions, goat!
With every respect and consideration, Tameet takes care to offer 4 vegan alternatives within the confines of their kitchen. Scroll down for menu.
Tameet’s Back Story
To say that founder Adem’s food truck trajectory is heaven sent is an understatement. The son of an impoverished family in war-torn Eritrea, his parents invested the sum of their resources in their children’s education.
Husband and wife teachers from Cranbrook, BC who happened to teach at Adem’s school in Eritrea, saw something that moved them to sponsor him to come to Canada. Adem made the most of this amazing opportunity, upgrading his high school and going on to gain a professional status as an engineer.
In a serendipitous coincidence for our community, the gluten-free planets aligned!
- a current colleague of his also has celiac disease, as does her daughter
- Adem’s partner, Julianna, has a family member with the diagnosis
As a result, Adem has a deep and personal understanding of the challenges that celiacs face in enjoying safe and delicious food. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with the support of his siblings, partner and her family, his food truck now employs the sister and brother who have joined him here.
Tameet 100% Gluten-Free Eritrean-Ethiopian Food Truck is here to serve our community at farmer’s markets, food truck meet ups and festivals in the Comox region and beyond.
Available for special events! Contact tameetfoodtruck@outlook.com
Meet Tameet! Vancouver Island’s one and only Eritrean-Ethiopian Food Truck! 100% Gluten Free!
Facebook • Instagram • Contact
Look for Tameet at Rib Fest!
A 3-day Food & Music Festival for people of all ages at Cumberland Village Park. Event Details …
Look for Tameet’s eye catching food truck for a gluten-free, vegan / vegetarian alternative to the carnage!
- Entry by donation in support Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club‘s local Accessible Bike Park Project.
- Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27.
- Friday 12-9pm • Saturday 11-9pm • Sunday 11-7pm. Instagram
Tameet Food Truck Regular Schedule
- Home base: 3274 3rd St in Cumberland See map.
- Sunday-Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 12-8pm. Fridays 4-8pm
- Music by cub.space on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Saturdays 9am-1pm at Comox Valley Farmer’s Market • Facebook • Instagram.
- Saturdays 4-8pm cub.space
- CLOSED Thursdays
Injera, a staple of Eritrean-Ethiopian food, is a fermented pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture. Think moist & flexible on a scale that our community rarely encounters. Injera is made with just two ingredients – teff flour and water.
Barley is often added to inherently gluten-free teff flour to save costs, however Tameet has elected to forego any savings in order to ensure that their food truck operation is authentic AND 100% celiac safe. Tameet sources its spices from single ingredient processors in Ethiopia – no gluten on site.
In some stretches of time where supply falls short, teff flour processed in a facility that also processes barley may also be used. Tameet will make sure the community is aware of the change in supplies until celiac safe teff arrives.
Tameet speaks our language!
More about Injera!
A teff and water sourdough starter is fermented for 2 days before it is called into action! Like any sourdough, Tameet keeps its ‘starter’ alive and well, setting aside enough for each future batch. Teff flour is added to the starter to create a dough that is then cooked in a large, flat pan. The result a thin, crepe-like ‘tortilla.’ On its own, injera offers a strong, flavourful sour bread. Paired with the Tameet’s rich sauces, they offer a delicious nutritional meal, high in protein, dietary fibre and iron.
Onion and tomatoes form the foundation of Eritrean-Ethiopian food. From there, Tameet offers six slow simmered, flavourful sauces & stews to go with their delicious injera. Enjoy a rotation of beef, lamb, chicken and on special occasions, goat!
With every respect and consideration, Tameet takes care to offer 4 vegan alternatives within the confines of their kitchen. Scroll down for menu.
Tameet’s Back Story
To say that founder Adem’s food truck trajectory is heaven sent is an understatement. The son of an impoverished family in war-torn Eritrea, his parents invested the sum of their resources in their children’s education.
Husband and wife teachers from Cranbrook, BC who happened to teach at Adem’s school in Eritrea, saw something that moved them to sponsor him to come to Canada. Adem made the most of this amazing opportunity, upgrading his high school and going on to gain a professional status as an engineer.
In a serendipitous coincidence for our community, the gluten-free planets aligned!
- a current colleague of his also has celiac disease, as does her daughter
- Adem’s partner, Julianna, has a family member with the diagnosis
As a result, Adem has a deep and personal understanding of the challenges that celiacs face in enjoying safe and delicious food. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with the support of his siblings, partner and her family, his food truck now employs the sister and brother who have joined him here.
Tameet 100% Gluten-Free Eritrean-Ethiopian Food Truck is here to serve our community at farmer’s markets, food truck meet ups and festivals in the Comox region and beyond.
Available for special events! Contact tameetfoodtruck@outlook.com
Meet Tameet! Vancouver Island’s one and only Eritrean-Ethiopian Food Truck! 100% Gluten Free!
Facebook • Instagram • Contact
Look for Tameet at Rib Fest!
A 3-day Food & Music Festival for people of all ages at Cumberland Village Park. Event Details …
Look for Tameet’s eye catching food truck for a gluten-free, vegan / vegetarian alternative to the carnage!
- Entry by donation in support Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club‘s local Accessible Bike Park Project.
- Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27.
- Friday 12-9pm • Saturday 11-9pm • Sunday 11-7pm. Instagram
Tameet Food Truck Regular Schedule
- Home base: 3274 3rd St in Cumberland See map.
- Sunday-Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 12-8pm. Fridays 4-8pm
- Music by cub.space on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Saturdays 9am-1pm at Comox Valley Farmer’s Market • Facebook • Instagram.
- Saturdays 4-8pm cub.space
- CLOSED Thursdays
Injera, a staple of Eritrean-Ethiopian food, is a fermented pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture. Think moist & flexible on a scale that our community rarely encounters. Injera is made with just two ingredients – teff flour and water.
Barley is often added to inherently gluten-free teff flour to save costs, however Tameet has elected to forego any savings in order to ensure that their food truck operation is authentic AND 100% celiac safe. Tameet sources its spices from single ingredient processors in Ethiopia – no gluten on site.
In some stretches of time where supply falls short, teff flour processed in a facility that also processes barley may also be used. Tameet will make sure the community is aware of the change in supplies until celiac safe teff arrives.
Tameet speaks our language!
More about Injera!
A teff and water sourdough starter is fermented for 2 days before it is called into action! Like any sourdough, Tameet keeps its ‘starter’ alive and well, setting aside enough for each future batch. Teff flour is added to the starter to create a dough that is then cooked in a large, flat pan. The result a thin, crepe-like ‘tortilla.’ On its own, injera offers a strong, flavourful sour bread. Paired with the Tameet’s rich sauces, they offer a delicious nutritional meal, high in protein, dietary fibre and iron.
Onion and tomatoes form the foundation of Eritrean-Ethiopian food. From there, Tameet offers six slow simmered, flavourful sauces & stews to go with their delicious injera. Enjoy a rotation of beef, lamb, chicken and on special occasions, goat!
With every respect and consideration, Tameet takes care to offer 4 vegan alternatives within the confines of their kitchen. Scroll down for menu.
Tameet’s Back Story
To say that founder Adem’s food truck trajectory is heaven sent is an understatement. The son of an impoverished family in war-torn Eritrea, his parents invested the sum of their resources in their children’s education.
Husband and wife teachers from Cranbrook, BC who happened to teach at Adem’s school in Eritrea, saw something that moved them to sponsor him to come to Canada. Adem made the most of this amazing opportunity, upgrading his high school and going on to gain a professional status as an engineer.
In a serendipitous coincidence for our community, the gluten-free planets aligned!
- a current colleague of his also has celiac disease, as does her daughter
- Adem’s partner, Julianna, has a family member with the diagnosis
As a result, Adem has a deep and personal understanding of the challenges that celiacs face in enjoying safe and delicious food. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with the support of his siblings, partner and her family, his food truck now employs the sister and brother who have joined him here.
Tameet 100% Gluten-Free Eritrean-Ethiopian Food Truck is here to serve our community at farmer’s markets, food truck meet ups and festivals in the Comox region and beyond.
Available for special events! Contact tameetfoodtruck@outlook.com
