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!
🌮. Saturday, June 25 from noon to ‘sold out’ at Fernwood Rd & Gladstone Ave
🌮. What are tamales? A traditional Mexican dish made with a (gluten-free) corn-based dough mixture, filled with a chicken, beef, refried beans, then wrapped in a banana leaf. Enjoy with your fave sauce, rice, guacamole or all of the above!
Details • Facebook • Instagram
- Fernwood’s annual neighbourhood celebration is celebrating 25 years of arts, music, and community! We will be grooving with musicians, performers, food, beer, theatre, artists, magic, kid’s zone, face painting,an artisan market, games, bubbles, walking tours, a silent auction, and more! There is no better place to be on the summer solstice weekend – June 24 & 25, 2022. Join us as Fernwood is transformed into a 2-day extravaganza of fun with all your best neighbours and friends! All of Victoria is invited to join us for this free event with activities for all ages during the summer solstice.
“I want to feel proud about the food I produce, and I want people to feel good about what they are eating!” Chef Israel Alvarez Molina
MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillas are made from certified organic corn grown in Armstrong, BC and lab-tested to be gluten free. Chef Israel Alvarez Molina’s technique, inspired in the traditional Mesoamerican Nixtamalization process is more than just authentic, providing taste and structure. MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillas have flavour, aroma, texture and elasticity. When eating a Nixtamal Taco you don’t just taste the corn, you taste the process.
• Maiiz.ca • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter • Contact • 778-433-1544
SHOP ONLINE for everything you need to ‘A-MAiiZ!’
CARRYING RETAILERS & RESTAURANTS!
PATIO DINING! Enjoy your take-out and watch the world go by. First come first served. Reservations accepted.
• Education | History | Culture
• MAiiZ’ Recipe Collection
• Subscribe to MAiiZ’ Mail
• MAiiZ Gift Card
• Watch MAiiZ’ Amazing video collection!
• Learn more about MAiiZ …
• Read the Review in the Times Colonist
Testimonials
- “Se siente el sabor de Mexico! I can taste the flavour of Mexico” @gtcanni
- “I love how the tortillas held together perfectly without breaking or getting soggy.” @propitiouspig
Carrying Retailers (call ahead to confirm)
- MAiiZ at 540 Fisgard St (Open Tuesday to Sunday) – see map
- Beauregard Cafe & Provisions
- Charelli’s Cheese Shop & Delicatessen
- Coco’s Provisions
- Cold Comfort Canteen
- Community Farm Store (Duncan)
- Country Grocer (Royal Oak & Esquimalt)
- Fairway Markets (all locations)
- Farm and Field Butcher
- For Good Measure James Bay
- Great Greens Farm Market
- Lifestyle Markets
- Michell’s Farm Market
- Mother Nature’s Market & Deli
- Mt Doug Market
- Neighbourly Store
- Niche Grocerant
- NomadEx
- Old Farm Market (Oak Bay)
- Peppers Foods
- Pomme Natural Markets Nanaimo
- Rock Bay Market
- The Local General Store
- The Market Garden
- The Root Cellar
- Urban Grocer
- more …
What exactly is Nixtamalization?
- Corn holds the memory of culture, tradition, indigenous practices and history for many in Mexico. Nixtamalization, masa, fresh cooked tortillas; these textures and smells are ingrained within the best culinary experiences and come from a place of memory and authenticity.
- Nixtamalization is the process of chemically transforming dried corn kernels into a dough which is then used in a wide variety of Mexican dishes.
- Dried corn kernels is boiled in an alkaline solution using pickling lime (also known as slaked lime or calcium hydroxide) and then left to soak overnight. When the corn is drained and rinsed some of the outer membrane layer is loosened and rubbed off. Corn that has gone through this process is now called nixtamal, or in some cultures, hominy.
- The wet nixtamal is then ground to a dough using a specialized mill. The result is a silky, slightly elastic fresh “masa” dough that squiggles out the grinder. The masa is shaped into small balls called testalitos and pressed to create fragrant, soft, flavourful tortillas with a unique smell of Mexico!
How does this change the corn?
- The nixtamalization process not only transforms corn structurally, but also nutritionally. Corn on its own is seen as a low source of nutrition, often associated with pellagra, a disease caused by vitamin B3 deficiency common to impoverished communities where the process of nixtamalization was not introduced with corn.
- This issue can be traced back to the colonization of the Americas when corn was taken by Europeans to grow as a crop around the globe, but the nixtamalization process was not. This resulted in widespread disease and malnutrition. Through the process of nixtamalization the calcium in corn is increased as is the quality of protein absorbed by the body. Additionally, phytic acid is reduced making it easier for the body to absorb important minerals unlocked by the alkaline solution used during the nixtamalization process.
What is the cultural importance?
- “When you are an immigrant you go through a lot of stages to find an identity in your new home. The part of my life that I could not find was my diet. I could adapt to a different climate, harsh weather, assimilate into the culture and learn a new language, but deep inside of me nixtamal was missing. There is so much history and culture behind this process which is the foundation of Mexican Cuisine. The aroma, texture, flavour and feeling of a fresh Nixtamal Tortilla doesn’t compare to anything else, it’s like freshly brewed coffee when you’ve had instant coffee all your life. This transformative experience is something that everyone deserves.
Gluten Free Expo is Canada’s largest gluten free event. Discover, Sample, and Save on hundreds of Gluten Free Products while learning from leading experts.
January 14 & 15. 10am to 4pm
Vancouver Conference Centre 1055 Canada Place
Website • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
Tickets $20 per day. 12 & under FREE.
- Expo pricing – plan to spend!
- Leading experts educate & answer questions
- Children’s play area and so much more
OUR FAVES WILL BE THERE!
Silver Sponsor Alkeme Artisan Bakery – Specializing in Gluten-Free Sourdough – Booth 309
Alkeme is a family-owned, gluten-free, nut-free bakery dedicated to crafting wildly fermented sliced breads, buns, bagels & pizza crusts. Employing a centuries-old sourdough bread process, Alkeme’s products offer a hearty and wholesome texture, crunchy exterior and a soft, spongy interior.
Made with ancient grain blend (sorghum, millet and tapioca), arrowroot powder, water, sour-dough starter culture, psyllium husk, coconut sugar and sea salt. The most important ingredient is time. Learn more here …
• thisisalkeme.com • Facebook • Instagram
Bronze Sponsor – O’Doughs Too Good to Be Gluten Free – Booth 116
O’Doughs provides healthful, high quality, soft, gluten-free savoury bagels, bread & buns made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients – from their family to yours. Learn more here …
ODoughs.com • Where to buy O’Dough’s • Recipe Ideas • eatwell@odoughs.com • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest
CHOOSE FROM ALL OF THEIR DELICIOUS PRODUCTS • RESTAURANTS DO!
Taco Revolution – IXIM Foods – Tortillas, Seasonings, Salsas & More – Booth 409
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 IXIM tortillas and authentic Mexican spices, salsas, bean dips and taco fillings in your own home! All 100% gluten free!
Sample hand-made tortilla chips & hot sauce.
Expo Pricing on Taco Night and Chorizo Spice Mix, Revolucion Hot Sauce, Xocolatl (Mayan hot chocolate), Pico de Gallo Salsa, Tortillas and Taco Fillings – while quantities last!
ixim.ca • info@ixim.ca • Facebook • Twitter
IXIM Mexican Foods is Cowichan Valley’s own locally produced, fresh corn tortilla maker. Ixim tortillas contain only heirloom (non-GMO) corn, water, and lime; no artificial fillers, preservatives, or unnatural genetically modified ‘frankencorn’ like most tortillas you find in stores.
Corn Tortilla Chips • Fresh Corn Tortillas 100% gluten-free
Seasonings – Chorizo Spice Mix • Taco Seasoning Mix • Nun’s Mistake Mole
Salsas – fresh sauce. Ideal for dipping. – Fresh Tomato Salsa, Medium or Spicy Heat
Pico de Gallo – fresh, raw vegetables, never cooked. Ideal as a salad or a filling – Mild or Medium Heat
El Faro Gluten-Free, Vegan All-Purpose Flour. Hand-crafted in Small Batches in Parksville, Vancouver Island – Booth 613
From desserts to scones to fish & chips, El Faro’s Flour Blend forms the foundation of all of the baking at El Faro Fusion’s 100% Gluten-Free Restaurant. Now we can enjoy their artisan mix in our own kitchens! Learn more here!
- Ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, White Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sorghum Flour, Sweet Rice Flour, Arrowroot Starch and Xanthan Gum.
Expo Pricing – mention The Celiac Scene and enjoy a 10% discount!
elfaromarket.com • Facebook • Instagram • elfarofusion@yahoo.com • 250-951-6224 • Order via Amazon
Watch the El Faro Flour video!
Secret El Faro Flour Scone Recipe!
Wise Bites Plant-Based Quinoa Snacks Way of the Future!
You want something sweet, but you also want to make smarter choices about what you want to eat. Wise Bites lets you have it both ways. Sweetened mostly with pure fruit so you get all the taste and none of the guilt.
Wise Bites are a take-anywhere snack made with nutritious pure oats. Lightly sweetened with dried fruit. Re-sealable bag keeps them fresh.
- Certified Gluten-Free • Non-GMO Verified • Certified Vegan • Certified Kosher.
- Top 11 Allergen-Free – NO gluten, peanuts, nuts, sesame, dairy, eggs, soy, fish, crustaceans/shellfish, mustard or sulfites • Casein-free • Yeast-free • High in Protein and Fibre • Low in Sugar and Fat.
Gluten Free Expo is Canada’s largest gluten free event. Discover, Sample, and Save on hundreds of Gluten Free Products while learning from leading experts.
January 14 & 15. 10am to 4pm
Vancouver Conference Centre 1055 Canada Place
Website • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
Tickets $20 per day. 12 & under FREE.
- Expo pricing – plan to spend!
- Leading experts educate & answer questions
- Children’s play area and so much more
OUR FAVES WILL BE THERE!
Silver Sponsor Alkeme Artisan Bakery – Specializing in Gluten-Free Sourdough – Booth 309
Alkeme is a family-owned, gluten-free, nut-free bakery dedicated to crafting wildly fermented sliced breads, buns, bagels & pizza crusts. Employing a centuries-old sourdough bread process, Alkeme’s products offer a hearty and wholesome texture, crunchy exterior and a soft, spongy interior.
Made with ancient grain blend (sorghum, millet and tapioca), arrowroot powder, water, sour-dough starter culture, psyllium husk, coconut sugar and sea salt. The most important ingredient is time. Learn more here …
• thisisalkeme.com • Facebook • Instagram
Bronze Sponsor – O’Doughs Too Good to Be Gluten Free – Booth 116
O’Doughs provides healthful, high quality, soft, gluten-free savoury bagels, bread & buns made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients – from their family to yours. Learn more here …
ODoughs.com • Where to buy O’Dough’s • Recipe Ideas • eatwell@odoughs.com • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest
CHOOSE FROM ALL OF THEIR DELICIOUS PRODUCTS • RESTAURANTS DO!
Taco Revolution – IXIM Foods – Tortillas, Seasonings, Salsas & More – Booth 409
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 IXIM tortillas and authentic Mexican spices, salsas, bean dips and taco fillings in your own home! All 100% gluten free!
Sample hand-made tortilla chips & hot sauce.
Expo Pricing on Taco Night and Chorizo Spice Mix, Revolucion Hot Sauce, Xocolatl (Mayan hot chocolate), Pico de Gallo Salsa, Tortillas and Taco Fillings – while quantities last!
ixim.ca • info@ixim.ca • Facebook • Twitter
IXIM Mexican Foods is Cowichan Valley’s own locally produced, fresh corn tortilla maker. Ixim tortillas contain only heirloom (non-GMO) corn, water, and lime; no artificial fillers, preservatives, or unnatural genetically modified ‘frankencorn’ like most tortillas you find in stores.
Corn Tortilla Chips • Fresh Corn Tortillas 100% gluten-free
Seasonings – Chorizo Spice Mix • Taco Seasoning Mix • Nun’s Mistake Mole
Salsas – fresh sauce. Ideal for dipping. – Fresh Tomato Salsa, Medium or Spicy Heat
Pico de Gallo – fresh, raw vegetables, never cooked. Ideal as a salad or a filling – Mild or Medium Heat
El Faro Gluten-Free, Vegan All-Purpose Flour. Hand-crafted in Small Batches in Parksville, Vancouver Island – Booth 613
From desserts to scones to fish & chips, El Faro’s Flour Blend forms the foundation of all of the baking at El Faro Fusion’s 100% Gluten-Free Restaurant. Now we can enjoy their artisan mix in our own kitchens! Learn more here!
- Ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, White Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sorghum Flour, Sweet Rice Flour, Arrowroot Starch and Xanthan Gum.
Expo Pricing – mention The Celiac Scene and enjoy a 10% discount!
elfaromarket.com • Facebook • Instagram • elfarofusion@yahoo.com • 250-951-6224 • Order via Amazon
Watch the El Faro Flour video!
Secret El Faro Flour Scone Recipe!
Wise Bites Plant-Based Quinoa Snacks Way of the Future!
You want something sweet, but you also want to make smarter choices about what you want to eat. Wise Bites lets you have it both ways. Sweetened mostly with pure fruit so you get all the taste and none of the guilt.
Wise Bites are a take-anywhere snack made with nutritious pure oats. Lightly sweetened with dried fruit. Re-sealable bag keeps them fresh.
- Certified Gluten-Free • Non-GMO Verified • Certified Vegan • Certified Kosher.
- Top 11 Allergen-Free – NO gluten, peanuts, nuts, sesame, dairy, eggs, soy, fish, crustaceans/shellfish, mustard or sulfites • Casein-free • Yeast-free • High in Protein and Fibre • Low in Sugar and Fat.
El Faro Flour Market Table at Qualicum Beach Farmer’s Market • Facebook • Instagram
Gluten-Free Cookies and El Faro Market’s famous flour for sale!
El Faro Gluten Free Flour – Artisan Blend – Hand-crafted in Small Batches in Parksville, Vancouver Island.
- “Your flour has given me my life back. I can bake again for the first time in years confidently.”
Watch the El Faro Flour video!
Secret El Faro Flour Scone Recipe!
El Faro Chocolate Cookies!
From desserts to scones to fish & chips, El Faro’s Flour Blend forms the foundation of all of the baking at El Faro Fusion’s 100% gluten-free restaurant. Now we can enjoy their artisan mix in our own kitchens!
HOURS: Thurs 4-8 • Fri + Sat 12-8 • Sun 12-5
“From hard times come small gifts. In the spring of 2019 we formulated our gluten-free flour and then sidelined the project. During Covid we couldn’t find our favourite gluten-free flour and everything we tried just didn’t measure up to our expectations in creating our favourite baked goods.”
“We pulled out the formula we created and made our favourite scones with it. We nailed it!! The quality, taste and texture were beyond our wildest dreams for anything gluten free. We then shared it with our valued customers and friends for feedback and their overwhelming positive feedback and encouragement led us to you!! We are so excited for you to try our flour for all of your baking adventures!”
“We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to share your baking adventures with us at elfarofusion@yahoo.com“
Testimonials
“Little by little I am working through my favourite cookie recipes now using your flour. Nothing but success! These ones are particularly good, ginger crinkles! They turned out better than ever. With your flour I am actually thoroughly enjoying baking (and eating) my gluten-free treats again!”
…….
“Today I made one of my favourite recipes that I haven’t been able to make for years … Toblerone Shortbread. Oh my goodness, they turned out so well! You’ve restored my faith in baking. Thank you so much!”
Ingredients: Brown Rice Flour, White Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sorghum Flour, Sweet Rice Flour, Arrowroot Starch and Xanthan Gum.
Carrying Retailers
- BCause
- Better U Market (Qualicum Beach)
- Chemainus Health Food Store
- Country Grocer (Salt Spring Island)
- El Faro 100% Gluten-Free Restaurant & Market (631 Island Highway in Parksville)
- Edible Island (Courtney)
- Fairway Market (Quadra)
- Farmgate Store (Mayne Island)
- Gaia Grocery (Tofino)
- Lifestyle Markets (Douglas Street)
- Market on Millstream (Langford)
- Market on Yates (Victoria)
- Old Farm Market (Oak Bay)
- Pepper’s Foods (Cadboro Bay)
- Pomme Natural Market (Nanaimo)
- Tru Value Foods (Pender Island)
El Faro Fusion 100% Gluten-Free Restaurant in Parksville
“We put love in our food and it comes back to us! If you’re one of life’s adventurers, you will always be welcome at El Faro.”
HOURS: Thurs 4-8 • Fri + Sat 12-8 • Sun 12-5
About El Faro
“At El Faro, we create 100% gluten-free, oat-free naturally hand-crafted fusion cuisine. We believe that good food heals the body as well as the soul. All our dishes are vibrant, delicious, fresh and fun and made with locally sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients.” Learn more …
- “We stopped in on Sunday and this place is great. At first we drove right past it, the outside doesn’t jump out at you as a restaurant. Don’t let that fool you, the food was outstanding. To me, the hallmark of a good/great celiac eatery is that as you eat your food, you would never know that everything is gluten free. Four of us weren’t celiac and the meal was delicious. Any time we venture as far north as Nanaimo, we’ll be taking a detour through Parksville to eat here, we barely scratched the surface of the menu.”
