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!
10th Annual Island Showcase
3829 Cadboro Bay Road – 10am to 2pm
Pepper’s Foods is gathering the local products that we love, putting them under a giant tent outside the store!
Sample and save on your gluten-free faves!
Daksha’s Gourmet Spices • From the Earth Curry • Holy Homous • Laughing Daughters
Millstone Organics • Mocolate • Salt Spring Harvest Pate • Yeshi Dressing
Take advantage of this week’s sales while you are here!
Click on image to enlarge
Pepper’s Foods has been bringing the best in local gluten free to customers in Cadboro Bay since 1962.
A bustling market at 3829 Cadboro Bay Road, steps away from the University of Victoria and one of the largest playgrounds in Victoria, shop at Pepper’s Foods for a picnic, a barbecue or the gluten-free foods you need to sustain you week in and week out! A long-time supporter of the Canadian Celiac Association’s Annual Picnic, Pepper’s Foods is the very ‘heart’ of Cadboro Bay!
• Sale on Gluten-Free Items
• Weekly Specials
• Gluten-Free Product List
• Deliveries to Your Door
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• 10% Student discount EVERY day!
• 10% Senior’s discount Tuesdays and Wednesdays
What’s New at Pepper’s Foods!
“Any time a local vendor or distributor approaches us with a local product, we’re all ears and open to carrying their product.”
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- Scott Zaichkowsky, Assistant Grocery Manager
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Gyro Park & Beach at Cadboro Bay
The legendary home of the “Cadborosaurus” sea serpent, Cadboro Bay is a partially protected bay with the kind of long, sandy beaches that make for sublime summer swimming, strolling and boating. The park has a replica of the Cadborosaurus creature, said to be a relative of the Loch Ness Monster. Caddy, as it is known, usually allows itself to be seen once or twice a year. Cadboro Bay’s beaches are well-equipped for family outings with picnic facilities, public washrooms and a children’s playground. Pack a snack from Pepper’s and enjoy!
Click for more information
Join this fun gluten-free gang for their Annual Celiac BBQ on Sunday, August 25th in Nanoose. Everyone and their significant others are welcome! Arrive at 4:00 pm for appetizers, great conversation with dinner and yummy desserts to follow.
The menu is still under development but it is guaranteed to be gluten free and delicious. You won’t be disappointed!
Details and RSVP: annezahara@shaw.ca or call / text 250-240-0708. $16.00/person
BBQ Update! August 27, 2019
A big gluten-free thank you to the contributors who helped to make this event so special and to Anne and her Helpers for staging this very popular event!
• Bake My Day
• Eat Fresh Urban Market
• Epicure Selections by Laara Clarkson
• Lakeview Gluten-Free Bakery
• Nellie’s European Deli
• Rusted Rake Farm
• Sunday, November 24, 5-9pm
• Longwood Brew Pub at 5775 Turner Rd, Nanaimo
Join this happy gang for a 100% gluten-free buffet!
• 2 Salads
• 3 Hot Entrees
• Roast Potatoes
• Rice Pilaf
• Seasonal Vegetables
• Dessert Squares & Cakes, Tea & Coffee.
• $31.95/person – children charged by age i.e. $12 for 12 year-olds.
• Spirits extra.
Re-Gift Exchange!
Men’s to be wrapped in red. Women’s in white. If you bring a gift, you take one home with you. Always fun!
RSVP Annie 250-240-0708 or at annezahara@shaw.ca by November 18th.
Only 30 seats available in Longwood’s exclusive private dining room.
Known as the Jewel in the Crown of Longwood Station, the brewpub starts with stunning views of the Vancouver Island mountain range and spectacular sunsets nestled beside a cozy rock fireplace. It’s all set up to offer an environment to enjoy the brewing and culinary excellence they’ve become famous for, one of Nanaimo’s premier destinations.
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
• 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!)
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)
- 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.
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.
