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!

Dec
28
Mon
Dine-In & To-Go Service @ 900 Degrees Wood-Fired Pizza
Dec 28 @ 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm

900˚-Pizza-The-Celiac-Scene-IG

‘Dining-in’ is back at 900 Degrees Wood-Fired Pizzeria Langford 4:30 to 8pm

Introducing 900° 2 Go! Contactless Take-Out & Curb-Side Pick Up.

900 Degrees offers delivery up to 7km distance. Enter your address at https://900degrees.moduurn.com for eligibility and to calculate your delivery charge (between $3.50 and $5.50.)

Build Your Own

Organic tomato sauce, house-made lemon olive, aged balsamic reduction, brie cream sauce, chilli oil, house-made pesto, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, & pizza dough, to go!

Phone orders 250-590-4493. Special COVID-19 hours, open daily from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Order online here

900˚ Pizzeria EAT Magazine

My curiosity about 900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria was piqued when I read in the September Edition of Eat Magazine (page 27)  that the owner’s son was a celiac. Executive Chef and Owner, Adrian Ortiz-Mena was quoted as saying,

  • “I think the most innovative thing we have done is bringing really good gluten-free pizza to our customers. My son was diagnosed celiac when he was 5 years old … and he loved pizza. It broke my heart thinking that he could no longer have pizza, so I developed a gluten-free pizza dough just for him. It was a real challenge, a labour of love.”

The Celiac Scene needed to learn more!

I popped into this warm and inviting restaurant on a cold and rainy September night, hoping for the opportunity to speak to a chef or server about their gluten-free options.

I was pleasantly surprised when Adrian himself bounded from the back of the restaurant only too eager to share his son’s health journey and how he had worked at home to create a gluten-free crust that met his discerning chef standards. Using one of the best all-purpose gluten-free flour mixes on the market and few extra-special ingredients, he was able to create a crust that pleased his son – and one that Adrian believed would please his customers.

The details.

900˚ Pizzeria Adrian Ortiz-MenaAs our community well knows, it takes more that a crust to create a gluten-free pizza. Adrian set about to contact the manufacturers of every ingredient used in his entire operation to ensure that the components used in all of his pizzas were celiac-safe. Apart from the wheat flour used for his regular crusts and the garlic bread, every ingredient that 900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria in house is gluten-free.

What about the process?

Adrian brimmed with enthusiasm as he explained that gluten-free pizzas are entirely prepared in a dedicated gluten-free area, in a room away from the regular production area. Sauces and toppings are stored in dedicated containers and applied with dedicated utensils that are never used to dress regular pizzas.

When a gluten-free order is processed, the chef washes his hands – up to his elbows – before starting work on an the order. When complete, the  pizza is placed on a dedicated gluten-free pizza peel (handle) and transported to the 900˚ pizza oven where it is cooked to perfection.

Here’s where it gets complicated.

900˚ Pizzeria The Celiac SceneAt 900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria,  pizzas are cooked directly on the hearth of their single pizza oven, where other gluten pizzas have also been cooked.  The concern on my face prompted Adrian to escort me directly to the oven itself where he proceeded to sweep to the side the burnt, charcoal dust of the pizza crusts that had been cooked.

While Adrian whole heartedly agreed with me that deep frying food at a standard 325-375˚F does not destroy gluten, he maintains that incinerating to 900˚residual gluten crumbs and flour from previously cooked pizzas and then sweeping them aside, most assuredly does.

That said,  900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria  is pleased to cook gluten-free pizzas on sanitized pizza pans for any gluten-free diner’s peace of mind. As a wood-fired pizza purist however,  Adrian cautions that cooking pizza on a pan may generate different results.

Final consideration.

900˚ Pizza The Celiac Scene900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria  is most assuredly a pizza lover’s pizzeria. Gluten pizza dough is thrown into the air with gusto, wheat flour coats the kitchen floor like dance dust and a fine coat of flour is evident on surfaces throughout the main preparation area.

That said after two  years’ serving gluten-free pizza, Adrian shared that there have been no reports from gluten-free diners that they have experienced gluten contamination.

As Adrian is quoted as saying in the EAT Magazine article, “I don’t think we really did anything new – we just did it better!”

I would have to agree: for celiac diners who are comfortable with these practices or those who avoid gluten as a lifestyle choice, 900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria sets the gluten-free bar as high as I have seen it on Vancouver Island.

Love Pasta?

900˚ Wood-Fired Pizzeria stages occasional pasta specials and always offer the option of Italy’s Schar Gluten-Free Pasta to gluten-free diners!

Gluten-Free Beer?

900˚ Wood Fired Pizza is pleased to serve 100% gluten-free Forager Beer, made in Whistler from sorghum and rice. 

“Where to Eat in Canada” adds @900.degrees to it’s list of worthy restaurants, calling their pizza “as close to perfection as it’s possible to get,” and one of only a handful of restaurants here in Victoria named “Good Buys”. Check out the full review on page 306 of the 2017-18 guide published by Oberon Press. Pick up your copy today!

May
30
Tue
Beans to Brew: An Evening All About Coffee @ Millstone Farm & Organics
May 30 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Millstone Farm 2% JazzBeans to Brew: An Evening All About Coffee
Tuesday May 30th | 6:30 – 8:00pm
Purchase Tickets in Advance – $20 – space is limited
710 Towner Park Rd, North Saanich (see map)

Millstone Farm is excited to welcome Sam Jones—founder of the island-born coffee roastery 2% Jazz. For over 25 years, Sam has been committed to sourcing, roasting and brewing exceptional craft coffee. Beginning as an outdoor kiosk in downtown Victoria, 2% Jazz has grown to become a community staple—renowned for the quality of its coffee and the warm and welcoming atmosphere of its indoor cafe.

On May 30th, join Millstone Farm for an evening all about coffee as Sam takes us on a journey from bean to brew. Learn how coffee is grown, sourced, roasted and brewed—and how to make the perfect cup at home!

After the presentation, enjoy a coffee tasting, a selection of gluten-free pastries and the musical ambiance of wes rd wraggett on Jazz Guitar! Coffee beans will be available for purchase, packaged and in bulk, along with Miron glass jars for storing the beans in maximum freshness and shelf life.

Store shelves will be well stocked with freshly milled flours, All Purpose Flour, Pancake Mix and the GF spices. Whole gluten-free grains will also be available for purchase, along with organic fresh eggs, organic, single-forest Maple Syrup,  recyclable egg cartons, cook books & so much more.

  • Millstone Farm’s extensive line of organic flours  are stone-milled in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
  • Grains can be milled up to 3 times to ensure that the flour contains the entirety of the grain.
  • Gluten-free oats are milled in a separate mill in order to protect celiacs who cannot tolerate even pure oats.
  • Whole, unmilled grains are also available for purchase.
  • Organic spices, sourced from organic suppliers from around the world,  are milled to order for optimal aroma and taste, then stored in light-impenetrable, miron glass.
  • All-purpose and pancake mixes are created in house and are xanthan gum free.
  • Also at the store: organic fresh eggs, organic, single-forest maple syrup,  recyclable egg cartons, cook books & so much more.
  • Coming soon – an outdoor cob oven for rustic, gluten-free baking! Think cinnamon buns and pizza!

Millstone Organics Certificate of Appreciation wpMillstone Farms’ flours are milled to order. Phone or text 778-350-1455 or email millstonefarmer@gmail.com. Collect in person at the farm. 

Flours sold at the store on Thursday, Friday & Saturday are milled on Wednesdays.

Almond Flour • Amaranth • Arrowroot Starch • Baking Powder • Baking Soda • Brown Flax Flour • Brown Flax Meal • Brown Flax Seeds • Chickpea • Coconut Flakes • Coconut Flour •  Corn (tested to be gluten-free) • Cornstarch • Dried Organic Black Beans • Garfava • Vegan Chocolate Chips • Golden Flax Flour • Golden Flax Meal • Golden Flax Seed • Millet • Oat (pure from Avena) • Potato Starch • Psyllium Husk • Quinoa • Sorghum • Superfine Brown Rice • Sweet • White Rice • Tapioca Starch • Teff • White Rice • Xanthan Gum

  • TESTIMONIAL: “My friend and I went to the most interesting family farm yesterday afternoon.  It is Millstone Farm & Organics and they specialize in organic, gluten-free grains. One can order fresh ground flours and pick up when convenient. They also have the MOST amazing vanilla, vanilla beans, and powder, fresh organic eggs, lots of interesting articles in their little shop. They also have spices which can be fresh ground, essential oils, etc. Check them out if you live on the Island.”  Diane Jenson

Millstone Farm’s  herbs and vegetables, organic soaps & wool products are focused on healthy, sustainable, zero waste living and packaged in refillable & reusable containers.

Shop Online

  • click on images below for more information
  • free shipping in Canada on orders over $75.00
Millstone Organics Canvas Totes ig

Organic Canvas Totes

Millstone Organics Dryer Balls ig

Natural Wool Dryer Balls

Millstone Organics Laundry Soap 2 ig

Organic Laundry Soap

Millstone Organics Shea Butter ig

Organic Shea Butter

Millstone Organics Essential Oils ig

Pure Essential Oils

Millstone Organics Produce Bags ig

Organic Produce Bags

Millstone Organics Eco Cloths ig

Eco Cloths

Millstone Organics Bulk Bags ig

Bulk Bags

 


Carrying Retailers