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 the Mid-Island Gluten-Free Foodies as they dine at Boston Pizza at 5779 Turner Rd in Nanaimo.

Monday, February 3rd at 11:30am. RSVP to Anne at annezahara@shaw.ca or 250-240-0708.

“We are a fun bunch who like to socialize and support one another as we live gluten free. Friends and significant others welcome. You do not need to be gluten-free to join us!”

Boston Pizza offers a dedicated Gluten-Wise® menu with dishes specially developed for the gluten free.

• Learn more about their Gluten-Wise® philosophy.
• View their complete Gluten-Wise® Menu
• Create your own Gluten-Wise® pasta!
• Create your own Gluten-Wise® pizza! (now made with a cauliflower crust!)

With every gluten-free order, a new, dedicated prep line is set up in the kitchen. This means that the area is sanitized, a complete set utensils are used and new ingredients / toppings are taken out of refrigeration. All ingredients have been vetted to be gluten-free and all gluten-free meals have been developed and constructed to be safe for celiacs. Chefs wash their hands before beginning preparations and they stay on the single task of preparing a meal from start to finish.

Boston Pizza uses All But Gluten  Buns for their Chicken Club Sandwich and Burgers.

Saturday, July 22nd – Deadlift for Dogs 11am – 5pm
Truth Gym at 1035 Alston for the Raincoast Dog Rescue Charity Event

A taste of New Zealand in the heart of Vancouver Island!

Mix strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, mixed berries, banana, mango or pineapple with ice cream or vegan soft serve. Served in a gluten-free, vegan waffle cone. No added colours, flavours or sugar.

Often at Nanaimo’s Departure Bay Beach but please confirm at Mizu’s Facebook Page or Instagram Account for daily locations and times!

For years, Jamie Lynn has been obsessed with owning her own ice cream trailer. Lucky for us, she made her dreams – and ours – come true! Catch her before she flies away to chase another dream – obtaining her pilots’s license!

Jamie and her husband Vinny, a heavy-duty mechanic by trade, built the ice cream trailer from scratch, then decorated it with images ofd beautiful berries. You can’t miss it at Departure Bay Beach in Nanaimo or at a host of special events. Look for the line up!

Book Mizu for your next celebration! Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream Facebook • Instagram • Mizurealfruiticecream@gmail.com • 1-250-319-5212

The Soft Serve – You Choose!

• Gluten-free, 100% Canadian, vanilla ice cream soft serve is made with premium ingredients by Island Farms.
• Gluten-free, vegan, vanilla soft serve is made with coconut oil and Nora’s Creamy Cashew Milk.
• If you would like vegan soft serve, ask for a fresh, ‘Gem Stir Stick.’
• Choose your favourite fruit. Mizu is happy to offer combos or mixes!
• Enjoy your soft serve in a gluten-friendly cone, a gluten cone, or in a bowl!

Coming soon! Special flavours like Hokey Pokey Toffee in a pint, special orders & pre-ordering.

The Cones!

• ‘Unique Cake (gluten) Waffle Cones’ and ‘Gluten-Friendly Waffle Cones’ are dairy-free, egg-free and ‘vegan-friendly.’
• Made in a facility in Metro Vancouver that has been making waffle cones since 1982.
• Gluten-friendly cones are made with documented to be gluten-free rice flour, arrowroot, soy lecithin, canola oil & cellulose.
• Shared equipment is blown off and thoroughly scrubbed between gluten and gluten-friendly production.
• Packaging is colour-coded to clearly identify gluten & gluten-friendly cones.

The Trailer!

• On the trailer, gluten-friendly cones are stored in a LOCKED dedicated cupboard, separate from gluten cones.
• When you make your dietary needs known upon ordering, staff will wash their hands and put on clean gloves before handling the cone.
• Choose your fruit flavour, mixed with ice cream or vegan soft serve.

Why Mizu!

• Named after Jamie & Vinny’s beloved Belgian Malinois!
• Got a pup? Ask for Mizu’s ‘Pet-Friendly Dog Scoop’ made with a Sugar-Free Cake Cone, scoop of ice cream and a dog treat on top!
• 50% of Mizu’s ‘Pet-Friendly Dog Scoop’ sales are donated to Sooke’s Raincoast Dog Rescue.

What is the New Zealand connection?

• Mizu’s Little Gem Mixer has made New Zealand famous for its soft serve! Components are easy to remove and completely washable. What’s not to love!