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 Total Prepare for the 12th Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair and Display at the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre parking lot and Senior Centre Building.

The event runs Sunday May 5th from 11am – 3pm and is intended for people of all ages and is their yearly kickoff to Emergency Preparedness Week.

Look for their table with food bar samples and sample products. Ask about Certified Gluten-Free Legacy Freeze-Dried Meals.

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NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN – 5471 Hamsterly Road – Pat Bay Highway at Sayward – next to Elk Lake Garden Centre.
Hours:  Mon – Wed 9:30-5:00 Thurs 9:30 -7 Fri 9:30-5 Sat 11-4 Closed Sundays  & Stats

Watch the TOTAL PREPARE Video Here!

TOTAL PREPARE Goes Gluten Free 

In the event of a disaster, we may not be able to depend on outside agencies to supply us with food, let alone gluten-free food, for up to seven days – or more. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your family, especially those with special dietary requirements, will have the food they need to survive. Their  Legacy brand of certified gluten-free gourmet entrée options have been designed specifically for those who cannot consume gluten and other food allergens. Ingredients are 100% GMO Free, freeze-dried, easy to prepare – and delicious! Choose from the following products in a variety of combinations and quantities, all with a 25-year expiry date. Click on images below for more information. Complete details here.

• A Word of Wisdom from Reva: “We were evacuated during the Fort McMurray wildfire. Due to road closures we were forced to head north to “nothingness” While the oil sand site was amazing and fed everyone steak dinner from their cafeteria, they had nothing gf except juice boxes. My then 3 year old only had juice for 24 hours until we lucked out and made it south through a 15 minuted window where the fire stopped crossing the road and it was opened. The evacuation centres were fantastic with providing gf food once they knew it was needed, but that only helped when we could reach them. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE learn from my mistake and have ready to eat gf food handy to grab at a moments notice. We now have a stash of energy bars, sesame snaps, etc that are high energy, but light and easy to transport. Don’t assume you will have access to electricity for preparing things. I will forever have mom guilt for putting my little one in such a precarious situation.”

Prepare for Tomorrow – Play Today! A New Way to Think About Total Prepare! 

You may not know it but plenty of West Coast Trail trekkers, kayakers, campers and island-hopping sailors do! Take advantage of having Canada’s #1 Emergency Preparedness Purveyor right here in Victoria!

Head on over to their retail outlet and let staff amaze you with their comprehensive inventory of emergency preparedness survival gear that is also perfect for camping, hiking and sailing. Think of it as a great way to make good use of these innovative, smart products while they stand ready to go into action should there be a disaster. Check the slider above for pictures.

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• Camping Supplies
• Heat, Stoves & Cooking
• Light & Communication
• Food Storage Accessories
• First Aid
• Survival Kits
• Survival Gear & Tents
• Generators & Solar Products
• Tactical, Bugout & Travel Bags
• Sanitation

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Freeze-Dried Emergency Food

Total Prepare also carries a large selection of single-ingredient, freeze-dried fruits and vegetables and plain canned meats that contain just chicken and/or beef and salt that transcend any need for gluten-free certification. Great as school snacks, holiday nibbling or the convenience that processed foods offer – but with the quality of freshly-picked, flash freeze-dried produce. What’s not to love about freeze-dried strawberries, blueberries and more. See Freeze Dried Emergency Food.

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Backpacker’s Pantry is the world’s foremost producers of freeze-dried meals, bringing inspired cuisine to the furthest reaches of our planet. Used by backpackers, sailors, extreme athletes, explorers, the military, hunters, campers, vegans and even the US Ski Team, Backpacker’s Pantry has added gluten-free to their line up of delicious meals. Tested to a 20 ppm threshold and with a certified gluten-free seal on the front of the packaging, all are easy to prepare in a cook-in-pouch. Learn more here.

Backpacker’s Pantry – Shepherd’s Pie with Beef

• Looking high and low for a filling gluten free comfort food that will stay with you throughout the day? Try the Shepherd’s Potato Stew with Beef from Backpacker’s Pantry! Packed with all-natural ingredients and real freeze dried beef this is a family favourite for all ages. Solid meat protein and hearty, feel-good potatoes make up the bulk of this meal, and are complimented by tomato, onion, cheese, and butter.

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Backpacker’s Pantry – Santa Fe Style Chicken with Rice

• Send your taste buds south of the border to enjoy the full tastes of this Santa Fe Rice with Chicken. Full of fresh flavour this entrée option is packed with protein and real, all-natural ingredients. Bring a fresh avocado on your adventure to dice on top! Yum!

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Backpacker’s Pantry – Pad Thai

• A best seller from Backpacker’s Pantry, this Vegan Pad Thai is high protein and comes with optional lime & siracha sauce so you can spice it up to suit your tastes. The protein in this meal comes from organic non-GMO textured soy. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan!

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Backpacker’s Pantry – Chicken Cashew Curry

• Take this easy to prepare cook-in-pouch meal with you whether you’re bugging out or hitting the trail. Packed with real chicken, cashews, onions, mushrooms, and celery, this meal is full of excellent healthy calories, fats, and protein that will stick with you throughout your trails and adventures.

• backpackerspantry.com • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • Pinterest• info@backpackerspantry.com

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Enchilada Beans and Rice

Cheese and Broccoli Bake

Cheese and Broccoli Soup

Cheesy Potato Soup

Potato Soup

Vegetable and Rice Soup

Spicy Corn Chowder

Classic Chili

White Bean Chili

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Additional Features:

• Average of 320 calories per serving
• Manufactured in controlled setting with strict cross contamination measures
• Simple to prepare – just add water
• No MSG, No Trans Fat, Low in Fat, No Cholesterol, Good Source of Fiber
• Lowest cost per serving and calorie in the food storage industry
• Meals come packaged in 4-serving Mylar pouches with an Oxygen Absorber and a Nitrogen Flush
• Mylar pouches stored in a stackable, heavy-duty, BPA-free plastic bucket

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Total Prepare is Canada’s #1 Source for Emergency Preparedness, Self-Reliance and Longterm Storage

Living in an earthquake zone that is also vulnerable to tsunamis and wild fire, it is critical for those living in Victoria, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands – or anywhere else for that matter – to take the time to put together a supply of water and food for emergencies. Everyone needs to put together a grab-and-go bag that will last for 72 hours. In earthquake zones (that’s us!), we need supplies for 7 days.

• Water purification kits and tablets.
• Heat and shelter: foil sleeping bags and stoves in a can.
• Light and communication: crank flashlights and radios.
• First aid and complete toilet set
• Store your supplies in your car, office, camper, outside in a shed, or at the front of your garage. NOT in the basement, which you may not have access to.
• Don’t forget food and supplies for your pets.

TOTAL PREPARE offers a wide range of other survival products and can put together a package to meet your particular needs. Their personal attention can’t be beat. You owe it to yourself to visit Total Prepare (48 Crease Avenue in Victoria), or check out their website for online orders at https://totalprepare.ca.

• Facebook Updates
• Educational Information
• 72 Hour Quick Kit Supplies
• Food Storage Containers
• Camping Supplies
• Water Storage – Filtration
• 72 Hour Emergency Survival Kit
• Heat – Stove – Cooking
• Light – Communication
• Outdoor Survival Gear
• First Aid – Disaster Response
• Sanitation
• Flood Prevention

Review in Canadian Celiac Association Newsletter, Victoria Chapter. July 2015

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Taco Revolution 100% Gluten-Free Food Truck is a moveable Gluten-Free Feast! Check their regular market appearances below or visit Website Schedule. Instagram • Facebook  • call 1-833-TACO-REV (1-833-822-6738)

Parked outside Red Arrow Brewing (5255 Chaster Road) most Tuesdays!  Call Red Beer Brewing to confirm at (250) 597-0037.

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If you’re in love with the fixings from Taco Revolution’s 100% Gluten-Free Food Truck, here’s your chance to enjoy their fresh Taco Revolution tortillas and authentic Mexican spices, salsas, bean dips and taco fillings in your own home! All 100% gluten free! Products & Carrying Retailers • Catering

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REGULAR MARKETS:

Qualicum Beach Farmers Market
Saturdays Year-Round 8am to Noon
644 Veterans Way, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1L8
Shop Online • Facebook • Instragram

Duncan Farmer’s Market & Food Truck
Saturdays Year-Round 10am – 2pm
200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3
Shop Online • Facebook • Instagram

Cedar Farmers Markets
Every Sunday from Mother’s Day until Hallowe’en
1984 Woobank Road, Nanaimo, BC V9X 1H4
9:30 am (seniors and immune-compromised individuals) others 10am – 2pm
Online • Facebook • Instagram

Taco Revolution Delivers

• See bit.ly/DoorDashTaco
• See Feastify
• Toll-Free Number! Place an order at 1-833-TACO-REV (1-833-822-6738) to collect at their current location.

Everything Taco Rev serves is gluten-free, handmade from scratch in house and served with a passion and dedication to deliciousness and authenticity. It is their mission to deliver the exact same taco you would find on a street in Mexico. Every taco we serve, from the Chorizo Vegetariano to the Fish Taco, to the Chicken Tinga are all pulled directly from Mexico’s taco culture. We have dared to bring those flavours north and share them with you. It is time to taste a taco as it was meant to be; it is time for a true north Taco 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!

If you’re in love with the fixings from Taco Revolution’s 100% Gluten-Free Food Truck, here’s your chance to enjoy their fresh tortillas and authentic Mexican spices, salsas, bean dips and taco fillings in your own kitchen! All 100% gluten free! Buy Online or at Carrying Retailers: CLICK HERE

LEARN MORE HERE!

Taco Revolution Caters!

We cater weddings, birthday parties, staff parties, corporate events and all other kinds of public and private occasions. Taco Revolution takes care of your guests with their “All-you-can-eat taco parties.” Like having an open bar, but with tacos! Learn more at https://www.tacorevolution.ca/catering

We are flexible! Wedding by the beach? No problem! Over 300 guests? We’ve done it! Exclusively vegan menu? You got it! Guests with allergies? We can certainly accommodate!

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. Enjoy the peace of mind you deserve during your event!

Taco Bar Fiesta Bars 

Hosting a small party and need help with the food? Look no further than Taco Revolution catering. We’d love to hear about it. Let us know your event date, tentative number of guest, preferred service time and venue location.

Learn more at https://www.tacorevolution.ca/taco-fiesta
Email us at: uprise@tacorevolution.ca or if you prefer, phone us at: 1(833)822-6738 (toll free)

Taco Rev provides service in Sidney, Victoria, Sooke, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cedar, Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Comox/Courtenay, and anywhere in between.

Classic Beef

Chicken Tinga

Cochinita Pibil

Refried Bean

Chorizo Vegetariano

Carne Asada

Grilled Fish

Pork Belly

Al Pastor, Jerk Chicken, Braised Lamb …