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.

Meet Up at MeeT Vegan / Vegetarian Restaurant at 797 Hillside Ave in the former Boston Pizza location

4 – 6pm on Sunday, April 16
RSVPs REQUIRED to ellen@theceliacsene.com

eatmeet.ca • Menu • Facebook • Instagram • info@eatmeet.ca • 250-704-2900

MeeT Reshapes the Restaurant Industry 

Never before in The Celiac Scene’s history have I interviewed a restaurant so aware of its ingredients and so committed to serving the unique needs of each and every diner.

Food sensitivities are not just accommodated, they are celebrated!

Because MeeT is committed to honouring the vegan and vegetarian choices of its diners, they visit with every supplier and build strong relationships with each one of them.

In the course of doing so, they become keenly aware which ingredients contain gluten along with a host of other food allergens. As a result, MeeT has effectively deconstructed the building blocks of food, and from there, created amazing meals in ways that meet almost any need – or want!

I spoke with Adam Twohey, former chef at MeeT’s Yaletown location in Vancouver, and now Victoria’s MeeT  Manager. He impressed me with his comprehensive knowledge of everything this 4-location offers. Be amazed!

• Dedicated gluten-free deep fryer
• Dedicated gluten-free grill
• All toppings used to dress meals are taken from fresh containers.
• If there is any doubt about the GF status of an ingredient container, a fresh container is taken from their walk-in cooler.
• Any loose flours used at MeeT are gluten free
• MeeT uses Little Northern (vegan) brand bread and buns for their gluten-free burgers and sandwiches. 
• MeeT’s menu is notated to indicate which meals contain gluten and nuts. Many of these meals can still be adapted to gluten free. Ask your server – they are eager to help!
• Please always assert your needs when ordering items that do not have a gluten notation to ensure that the kitchen can take necessary precautions.
• OATS! The oat-intolerant can rejoice in knowing that oats are not incorporated into any of MeeT’s offerings! 
• Oat milk however is used, and it should be noted that it is NOT gluten-free. 
• Specially ordered meals may take longer to prepare and cook. Please be patient. 

“I am thrilled that MeeT Restaurant has made its way to Victoria. I encourage our community to offer this breakthrough establishment its warmest welcome!” Ellen Bayens, The Celiac Scene

More About MeeT
“Ivo, Jason and Linda have spent the last 20 years in Vancouver, owning and operating a total of 8 restaurants and organic grocery stores throughout the city!”

“They launched the concept of MeeT with a purpose to re-engage in the restaurant industry – not just to succeed in this market, but to re-shape it!”

“From customers perceptions of comfort food, to staff perceptions of what a workplace should be, their goal is to surpass and re-imagine the restaurant establishment to be a better version of itself!” Learn more …

I have severe food allergies. Can I eat in your restaurant?
“We take food allergies very seriously. While we can never guarantee that our food is 100% free of allergens, there are several steps that we take to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. We are a peanut-free establishment, two of our deep fryers are used exclusively for gluten-free items, and our menu is egg and dairy free.”

“Our menu does make extensive use of ingredients such as nuts, wheat, and soy, but we take great care to process these items separately to avoid cross contamination. Please specify with your server the nature and severity of your allergy. Severe allergy bills do take us longer to prepare and cook.”

*Despite all of this, there is always a chance of human error in prepping or cooking of food, or cross-contaminated food from suppliers. For this reason, guests should be comfortable with these potential factors before eating with us. Learn more …

Do you have a kids menu, and are you kid friendly?
“OMG, we love ‘em! We were recently featured on a Kids Edition episode of You Gotta Eat Here! (season 5 episode 16, but who’s counting?) where we showed off a few of our favourite kid friendly dishes; the Chili Cheez Fries, Mac’N’Cheez Burger, and Chocolate Coconut Ganache Tart. We don’t have a dedicated kids menu, but there are lots of items on our menus that your kids will love!” Learn more …

Find MeeT  in Vancouver

• Main – 4288 Main St – 604-696-1010
• Gastown – Inner Courtyard, 12 Water St – 604-696-1111
• Yaletown – 1165 Mainland St – 604-696-1165

Dine as a Group at Tartan Toque! Saturday, April 20 from 5pm at 1507 Pandora Avenue. Right next door to Origin Bakery!

• Everyone welcome! Gluten-free diners as well as significant others who may or may not eat gluten free! Family friendly!
• Tartan Toque’s token of appreciation! Complimentary Panna Cotta Dessert!  (contains dairy)
• RSVPs a MUST before Thursday, April 18! Contact ellen@theceliacscene.com.
• Drop ins and ‘no shows’ are not cool. Notice of cancellation required or risk being excluded from future events.
• Additional food sensitivities / allergies? Please contact Tartan Toque directly at 778-265-9464.

• Monday Nights – Shafts – coffee-flavoured cocktails (GF) 
• Tuesdays & Thursday – Pitcher Specials (contain gluten)
• Wednesdays – Wing Nights – second orders are half price! (GF)
• Sunday – Special pricing on Caesars (made with GF Worcestershire sauce!)

Tartan Toque is Victoria’s Premier Wings Restaurant! New owner Brendan Walker, is a Red Seal Chef with vast experience in the hospitality industry .

He is proud to have worked at some of Canada’s best hotels: the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax;  the Shangri-la Hotel in Toronto;  Weston Bayshore, Fairmont Waterfront & Pan Pacific Hotels in Vancouver and the Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel in Victoria.

• Perhaps what makes Brendan most qualified to undertake a makeover of this very popular restaurant is that his father has celiac disease. Brendan gets it!

1507 Pandora (right next door to Origin Bakery) Open 7 days a week! 12 – 9pm
tartantoque.ca • Order Online • 778-265-9464
Facebook • Instagram • Gallery • Menu (scroll down to view)

In advance of Tartan Toque’s reopening, Brendan used his skills to hone what was already a mostly celiac-friendly menu to (almost) 100% gluten-free. ‘The Toque’ has been voted Victoria’s Best Wings many times over. Each item is made in house, from scratch.

• Wings, their sauces and – wait for it – gluten-free deep-fried pickles, calamari, crispy chicken & fries
• All deep fryers are dedicated gluten-free
• No loose flour on site, gluten or otherwise. All desserts are gluten free
• Tartan Toque is pleased to offer us Whistler’s Forager Beer, ciders and a selection of carefully curated wines. 

Where’s the gluten, then?! The only gluten-containing items on the premises are hamburger & hot dog buns, wraps, croutons and a selection of gluten beers.

If you are a celiac or require a scrupulously gluten-free meal, make that crystal clear when ordering. * Staff will swap in Origin Bakery bread or bun, refresh their gloves and settings and, importantly, will use fresh toppings from un-opened bins. **

^* As in any kitchen that also handles even the smallest amount of gluten, Tartan Toque cautions that the risk of cross contact, albeit remote, may still be a possibility. 

^** NOTE: for the oat sensitive: ‘pure’ oats are used in all burgers.