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?
- 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?
How do staff ensure that all utensils used in preparing gluten-free orders are free of any trace of gluten?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.
🍎 Back to School Sales at both Pomme locations! Saturday, September 9th!
Pomme Natural Market in Nanaimo!
6560 Metral Drive – 8:30am to 8pm – 7 days a week – 250-390-1955
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Pomme Natural Market in Coquitlam!
2755 Lougheed Highway – 8am to 10pm – 7 days a week – 604-475-2505
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Click here for Pomme’s Complete September Flyer
Our Vancouver Island location, Pomme Nanaimo, has been selected in Nanaimo News Bulletin’s Best of the City vote for six years running! We’re proud to offer Nanaimo and the surrounding region the most healthy and ethically sourced groceries, supplements and vitamins we can find. We’re constantly inspired by our local community, and we jump at every opportunity to work with our awesome Vancouver and Gulf Island growers and producers!
Pomme Natural Market has been voted voted Nanaimo’s Best Health Food Store in the
Nanaimo News Bulletin’s Best of the City!
Pomme strives to provide gluten-free shoppers with as many options — and as much support — as possible to help them make the best choices for their lives, sticking to fundamental ethical and nutritional values when deciding what makes it to their shelves. Never hesitate to ask for information or advice while you shop!
Pomme researches every company they work with. Starting off with some simple no’s: no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners are allowed in our markets, beyond that a focus on local and Canadian vendors, the uniqueness of products, the quality of ingredients, and the ethics of the companies. They listen to customers’ recommendations — to make sure we’re getting the best of the best!
Pomme Natural Market in Coquitlam
Pomme PoCo is our first and biggest Pomme! We offer the Tri-Cities a huge selection of ethically selected, super healthy groceries, certified organic produce, and excellent vitamins and supplements—as well as a wide range of natural home and kitchenware! We have a natural deli packed full of fresh, ready-to-eat meals, snacks and treats. We use the same top quality, organic and grass fed ingredients you’ll find in our aisles for our made-in-house deli foods.
