WINNER! Gluten-Free Paradise Contest Vancouver Island

We invited you to send us pictures of what you love most about living gluten free in Victoria, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Photos were entered for a chance to ‘Dine on Our Dime’ at your favorite celiac-friendly restaurant. Ethan delivered – and then some – with pictures of himself doing what he – and we – love best: EATING! Hands down, Ethan proved beyond a doubt that we do indeed live in Gluten-Free Paradise!

ETHAN: Dick’s On the Water – Fish and Chips…..a FAMOUS landmark in Campbell River, they have recently dedicated a fryer to Gluten Free prepared and cross contamination safe fish and chips and easily one of the most popular restaurants in town!! It was glorious!

ETHAN: Serious Coffee now offers gluten-free cross-contamination safe Laughing Daughters Gluten Free Foods Inc. treats and even made a special Denman Island chocolate steamer for me!’

A cheque for $50 is on its way to Ethan to spend anywhere in Gluten-Free Paradise: Brentwood Bay, Campbell River, Chemainus, Cobble Hill, Colwood, Comox, Coombs, Courtenay, Cortes Island, Cowichan Bay, Deep Cove, Duncan, Errington, Esquimalt, Gabriola Island, Hornby Island, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Langford, Metchosin, Mill Bay,Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Port Renfrew, Salt Spring Island Shawnigan Lake, Saanich, Sidney, Tofino and Ucluelet! Pictures welcome!

HONOURABLE MENTIONS:

VAN ISLE GOOTS: amazing gluten-free lunch at Red Robin in Victoria. Great protocol – delicious burgers and fries!

LISA: Myra in Disneyland! They do an excellent job catering to celiacs.

MORGAN: Red Robin has an awesome protocol. (on Tolmie in Victoria) They even bring out the GF food separately to avoid any chance of cross contamination.

PAULA: I can’t pick just one thing! I am also very grateful for The Village Restaurant in Royal Oak, Saanich. Their breakfast menu is 95% gluten free and it is amazing!!!! I tell anyone who will listen about this place and it’s in my neighbourhood! I should maybe stop spreading the word – it could get harder to get a table!!! Thank you Village Restaurant Royal Oak!

ANITA: Thanks for having us reflect upon and appreciate where we are and what we can eat, and for all your work on the island! As a mother of two with (undiagnosed) celiac, I feel the burden of sometimes robbing my children of some of the traditional fun ‘fast’ foods that are part of North American culture. Big Wheel Burger (Cook Street in Victoria) combines an Earth-friendly approach to fun treat food and a sensitivity to those who can’t do gluten. With no gluten in their burgers, the option for gluten-free buns and a dedicated fryer for their fries, Big Wheel has become our family favourite for an occasional indulgence.

A version of Gluten-Free Paradise apparently exists in the United States!

Lynne shared the good gluten-free news about Anchorage, Alaska and from there, she and friend Raelynn started an online resource. Check it out here!

“Just had an incredible helping of pozole and halibut tacos from a place called Taco King. My son had tostaditas and my daughter had an enchilada. They do very well with GF stuff. So, if anyone here is planning on a trip to Alaska, and is GF check them out!”