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!
🌮. Hot Tamales! You’ve heard of them! Now you can experience them, the MAiiZ Nixtamal way at FernFest. Meet the Maker, Chef Israel!
🌮. 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.
![Israel Alvarez Molina MAiiZ](https://theceliacscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Israel-Alvarez-Molina-MAiiZ-1-300x300.png)
“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
- “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.
🏄♂️. thecookstvillage.com/thevillageblockparty • Village Block Party Facebook • Instagram
Poke Fresh • 240 Cook Street • 250-380-0669 See map
- Poke originates from Hawaii, fusing fresh diced fish with rice, veggies and an array of delicious toppings. Prepared with high-quality, rich-tasting and fresh ingredients. Poke Fresh chefs are knowledgeable about gluten free and ready to create a handcrafted bowl that will send your taste buds on a vacation to paradise … or at least Hawaii. Come on down to Cook Street and customize a bowl unique to you! Learn more here …
- pokefresh.ca • Facebook • Instagram • Contact
- MENU – Always make your needs known to servers. The gluten status of ingredients may change, but staff is well informed.
- SAUCES – 100% Gluten-Free – Purchase Bottles to Go.
- NEW! Shaved Ice – Blood Orange • Lemon • Lime
- Now serving gluten-free Lonetree Cider & Calliope Sauvignon Blanc
- Delivery: Skip the Dishes • Doordash
- Poke Fresh Menu
- Poke Fresh Caters!
- Find Poke Fresh in Broadmead Village!
- Right next door to the iconic Lifestyle Markets, Big Wheel enjoys a solid reputation with gluten-free diners for their dedicated deep-fryer, yummy gluten-free buns and their careful protocol!
- Get the Big Wheel App! iPhone • Android
- Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
- Big Wheel Burger Menu
- View Big Wheel Burger’s Secret Menu – Tell No One!
- Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken! Believe it! Cooked in Big Wheel’s dedicated GF fryer. Order it on the Big Crunch Burger on a GF bun or add it to Big Wheel’s Shaker Salad to make it a meal!
- Oat-Sensitive Celiacs: Big Wheel Burger uses Bob’s Red Mill Pure Oats in their gluten-free Nashville and Black Bean & Yam plant-based burgers.
- Find Big Wheel Burger at Westside Mall • Gateway Village • Langford • Nanaimo
Taco Revolution 100% Gluten-Free Food Truck
Everything Taco Rev serves is gluten-free, handmade from scratch in house and served with a passion and dedication to deliciousness and authenticity. It is our mission to deliver the exact same taco you would find on a street in Mexico. Every taco we serve, from the Chorizo Vegetariano to the Fish Taco, to the Chicken Tinga are all pulled directly from Mexico’s taco culture. We have dared to bring those flavours north and share them with you. It is time to taste a taco as it was meant to be; it is time for a true north Taco Revolution!
Taco Revolution Website • Schedule • Instagram • Facebook • Twitter
NEW! Taco Revolution 100% Gluten-Free Food Truck Now Delivers – through Door Dash & Feastify!
See bit.ly/DoorDashTaco See Feastify NEW! Toll-Free Number! Place an order at 1-833-TACO-REV (1-833-822-6738).
Lifestyle Markets • 343 Cook St • 250-381-5450 • See map
- Since 1995, Lifestyle Markets on offers the most comprehensive selection of gluten-free flours and baking ingredients in British Columbia. Their location in the heart of Cook Street Village may be smaller but there are still hundreds of amazing organic foods, supplements and natural body care. Order anything you like to be brought in! Learn more …
- LifestyleMarkets.com • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
- View Lifestyle Markets Gluten-Free Product List
- View Lifestyle Markets Gluten-Free Sales
- View the Complete Lifestyle Markets Flyer
- View Lifestyle Markets Complete Product List
- Read Lifestyle Markets’ Blog
- Visit the store on Video!
- Lifestyle Markets on Douglas • Lifestyle Select in Sidney
♂️. thevillageblockparty.com • Village Block Party Facebook • Instagram
Poke Fresh • 240 Cook Street • 250-380-0669 See map
- Poke originates from Hawaii, fusing fresh diced fish with rice, veggies and an array of delicious toppings. Prepared with high-quality, rich-tasting and fresh ingredients. Poke Fresh chefs are knowledgeable about gluten free and ready to create a handcrafted bowl that will send your taste buds on a vacation to paradise … or at least Hawaii. Come on down to Cook Street and customize a bowl unique to you! Learn more here …
- pokefresh.ca • Facebook • Instagram • Contact
- MENU – Always make your needs known to servers. The gluten status of ingredients may change, but staff is well informed.
- SAUCES – 100% Gluten-Free – Purchase Bottles to Go.
- NEW! Shaved Ice – Blood Orange • Lemon • Lime
- Now serving gluten-free Lonetree Cider & Calliope Sauvignon Blanc
- Delivery: Skip the Dishes • Doordash
- Poke Fresh Menu
- Poke Fresh Caters!
- Find Poke Fresh in Broadmead Village!
- Right next door to the iconic Lifestyle Markets, Big Wheel enjoys a solid reputation with gluten-free diners for their dedicated deep-fryer, yummy gluten-free buns and their careful protocol!
- Get the Big Wheel App! iPhone • Android
- Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
- Big Wheel Burger Menu
- View Big Wheel Burger’s Secret Menu – Tell No One!
- Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken! Believe it! Cooked in Big Wheel’s dedicated GF fryer. Order it on the Big Crunch Burger on a GF bun or add it to Big Wheel’s Shaker Salad to make it a meal!
- Oat-Sensitive Celiacs: Big Wheel Burger uses Bob’s Red Mill Pure Oats in their gluten-free Nashville and Black Bean & Yam plant-based burgers.
- Find Big Wheel Burger at Westside Mall • Gateway Village • Langford • Nanaimo
CHURROS & MOR • 325 Cook St in the Food Court • 250-986-9455 • See map
- What are churros? Think Mexican donuts, only better! A crispy exterior with soft, chewy insides, Jorge uses gluten-free flour to make them. Deep-fried, then rolled in cinnamon and sugar, topped with your choice of strawberry, chocolate or caramel sauce. Ask for ‘Roses’ if you love (vegan) ice cream’
- churrosandmor.com • Instagram • Facebook • contact@churrosandmor.com 250-986-9455
- Mon & Thurs Noon – 7.00. Fri – Sat – Sun 10.00 – 20.00 Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Hours may vary by season.
- Now available via Uber Eats, DoorDash & SkiptheDishes!
- Created in a 100% gluten-free, vegan setting.
Lifestyle Markets • 343 Cook St • 250-381-5450 • See map
- Since 1995, Lifestyle Markets on offers the most comprehensive selection of gluten-free flours and baking ingredients in British Columbia. Their location in the heart of Cook Street Village may be smaller but there are still hundreds of amazing organic foods, supplements and natural body care. Order anything you like to be brought in! Learn more …
- LifestyleMarkets.com • Facebook • Instagram • Twitter
- View Lifestyle Markets Gluten-Free Product List
- View Lifestyle Markets Gluten-Free Sales
- View the Complete Lifestyle Markets Flyer
- View Lifestyle Markets Complete Product List
- Read Lifestyle Markets’ Blog
- Visit the store on Video!
- Lifestyle Markets on Douglas • Lifestyle Select in Sidney