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!
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.
🐟 . 9th Annual World Oceans Day on Sunday, June 11 at Fisherman’s Wharf from 11am to 4pm.
🐟 . Fun, free, family-friendly event brings together a variety of conservation organizations from around the Salish Sea, including divers and touch tanks. Discover what’s happening in your big blue backyard!
🐟 . Your chance to try Floating Fish Store!
Learn more about World Ocean’s Day here.
TESTIMONIAL
- Outstanding!!!!!!!!++ Gluten free everything, tastes like real. Any fish battered in gluten-free batter. Soooooo good. We had halibut rock cod and oysters UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!
• Click for English Menu • Français • Español • Deutsch • 简体中
• Fresh Fish • Blog – Fresh Catches • About the Floating Fish Store • floatingfishstore.com
• Contact the Fish Store • (250) 383-6462 • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
Wednesdays! Enjoy a 10% discount on your gluten-free meal if you mention ‘The Celiac Scene.’
- Lots of seating available on the dock or in their cozy, heated licensed seating area
- Now serving hot chocolate, latte, espressos & cappuccinos
- Open 11:30 to 6:00, 7 days a week.
- Call 250-383-6462 to pre-order
- Floating Fish Store is not using delivery services at this time.
Why the Gluten-Free Love the Floating Fish Store
- Dedicated deep fryer for fresh-cut, twice-fried gluten-free french fries
- Certified Gluten-Free Sorghum light-crisp batter for deep-fried fish, cooked in a dedicated fryer)
- Gluten-Free Home-Made Tartar Sauce & Coleslaw
- Gluten-Free Halibut Malu – Local Halibut simmered w/ onions, lentils, tomatoes & a hint of curry, finished w/ cilantro & lime
- Gluten-Free Tacos by Taco Revolution – Soft corn tortilla, house smoked tomato salsa, shredded cabbage, citrus cream, fresh cilantro & lime
- Salads with home-made, gluten-free dressings: Toasted Sesame • Balsamic Vinaigrette • Buttermilk Ranch • Olive Oil w/ Balsamic Vinegar & Lemon
- Steamers – shellfish gently steamed & served when just done.
- The finest live oysters from BC waters served on a bed of ice, lemon & your choice of cocktail sauce, hot sauce, ginger, mignonette, preserved lemon mignonette, cucumber & jalapeno mignonette, pickled red onion mignonette or freshly grated horseradish
- Oyster selection varies by day. Come often!
- Daily Buck-a-Shuck from 4-5 pm
- View the menus below.
Celiac-Safe Touch – Let your server know that you require a gluten-free meal and they will call your order out, all on its own. No chance of collecting the wrong order. Much appreciated!
Not only does the Floating Fish Stores cook seafood, they sell and ship it!
Kudos to The Floating Fish Store
- North America’s first 100% Ocean Wise Seafood Store & Restaurant
- Serving fresh catch from west coast waters – whenever possible
- Situated on Fisherman’s Wharf in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada
- Experience a working harbour and stroll among colourful houseboats
- Surrounded by seals in their natural environment – you can almost reach out and touch them!