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.

Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies for Fabulous Dosas & Sauces at Dosa Paragon!

Thursday, March 19th at 6pm. 735 Yates Street – tucked inside St. Andrew’s Square Building – across from Cineplex Odeon.

RSVP to ellen@theceliacscene.com

DOSA – a cooked flat thin layered rice batter,  somewhat similar to a crepe.
PARAGON – a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.

• dosaparagon.ca • Facebook • Instagram • Contact • 778.440.2206
• Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 11-8:30 • Fri-Sat 11-9 • Sun11-8 • Closed Mondays.

• About Dosa Paragon
• Dosa Paragon Menu
• Order Online
• Take Out Menu
• Skip the Dishes

Thursday Special – Vegetable Biriyani

• A bold and flavorful Indian rice dish with bell peppers, peas, carrots and potatoes in a spiced rice dish made with turmeric, garam masala and other warm spices.

Friday-Saturday-Sunday Special – Chicken Biriyani

About South Indian Cuisine

• DOSA – a crispy savoury rice crepe cooked flat thin layered, made from fermented rice and lentil batter, then filled.
• UTHAPPAM – thick pancake made from rice and lentil batter, with different toppings.
• PAPADUM – a thin crisp disk shaped lentil wafers, made from seasoned black gram flour, either fried or grilled with dry heat.
• VADA – a savoury fried snack from India. It is made from lentils.
• IDLY – a savoury, steamed rice cake very popular in Southern India and Sri Lanka , from Indian subcontinent. IDLY are made by Steaming a batter consisting of fermented black lentils and rice. Learn more about this super food here.
• SAMBAR – lentils and Vegetables cooked with tamarind and blend of spices.
• INDIAN PICKLE- known as Achar, made from a variety of vegetables & fruits, preserved in brine, vinegar, edible oils and a blend of various Indian spices.
• Click here to view the complete menu.

Victoria Buzz Review by Brishti Basu ¹

• On July 8th, Prashant “Bob” Unnikrishnan and his wife Lathika quietly opened the doors to Dosa Paragon, a south Indian restaurant that is one of its kind in Victoria, and perhaps all of Vancouver Island. Unlike other East Indian eateries in town, this restaurant specializes in cuisine local to the south Indian state of Kerala and everything on the menu is made from scratch by the husband-and-wife duo. Bob, who has lived in Victoria for the past 6 years, brings his dishes straight from India after having worked in major cities like Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. Before opening Dosa Paragon, he worked as a chef at several restaurants around town including Irish Times Pub, John’s Place, and Varsha Indian Kitchen.
• Some of their highlights include the Masala Dosa (a rice crepe stuffed with spiced potato), their Onion and Cilantro Uthappam (a savoury pancake topped with onion and cilantro), and for meat eaters, an aromatic and flavourful Chicken Biryani (a spiced rice and chicken dish). Of course, no Indian meal is complete without a drink to go with it.
• Those who prefer a cooler beverage may choose the thick, sweet concoction that is their mango smoothie. For those partial to hot drinks, the restaurant offers an authentic ‘masala chai’ or tea flavoured with a mix of spices and herbs.
• While Bob and his wife have done practically nothing to advertise their new restaurant, the small eatery always has a steady stream of customers to keep them busy – a testament to the nearly addictive flavours and aromas emanating from Dosa Paragon. They have been so busy, in fact, that the owners have had to extend their business hours up to 9 p.m. to keep up with the demand.
• “That’s our motivation,” said Bob when asked about how customers have been responding to his restaurant. “We just want to maintain that momentum as our main goal is customer satisfaction.”

• ¹ https://www.victoriabuzz.com/2019/08/victorias-first-south-indian-restaurant-is-now-open-on-yates-street

🐟 Join Victoria’s Gluten-Free Foodies at the Floating Fish Store at Fisherman’s Wharf on Saturday, October 28 at 1 pm.

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!