Saturday, 25 February 2012

Report: 2011 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

September hosted the 2011 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show at Jeffs Shed in Melbourne.
For us, this is an event that is not to be missed.

This year, the major sponsor was Macro Wholefoods Market. (You might remember that Macro was bought by Woolworths in mid-2009)

Presenters included: Tobie Puttock & Dr Sue Shepherd.

Here are some of our highlights:
  • Macro Wholefoods Market
    Macro had a large display of their products, most of which you will find in your local Woolworths/Safeway.
    Recipe brochures from Toby Puttock, Spencer Clements, Dr. Sue Shepherd & Rowie Dillon were given away.
  • Larder Fresh
    Roast Pumpkin & Chickpea Burger. Gluten Free, Egg free, Dairy Free, Wheat Free, onion & garlic free, preservative free. We picked up some of these. Very tasty. Great for a snack, or light lunch. No onion but still full of flavor. They also produce Falafel but these have onion.
    http://www.larderfresh.com.au/
  • Bayview
    Bayview is an Australian owned company producing a wide range of crumbed fish, chicken and related products, including a gluten free range.
    New products are in the works, including: Calamari & easy to cook Fish in a bag.
    You can always find their fish fillets and chicken tenderloins in my freezer.
    A suggestion for Bayview: Please include the ingredients list for your products on your website.
    http://www.bayviewseafoods.com.au/
  • Melindas
    You will always find some of the Melindas range in our pantry, especially the "Heavenly Choc Fudge Brownie Mix".
    They were promoting their own Gluten Free Self Raising Flour mix and their iPhone Allergy Free Entertaining app. (Android version soon)
    One of our clan sampled their Tuscan Style Rissotto Cakes, which received the thumbs up. These are gluten free, but do contain onion and cheese is part of the recipe.
    http://melindasgfg.com/
  • House of Biskota 
    had a very interesting display of biscuits that are gluten, dairy, egg and yeast free.
    For those conscious of fructose, be aware of the biscuits that have jam as the ingredients show this contains apple.
    http://houseofbiskota.com.au/GlutenFree
  • "Uncle" Rick Grant
    Rick & Rhonda were showing off a new range of seasoning mixes that are gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, egg free, soy free and fructose friendly (no onion or garlic).
    Expect to see a lot more from Rick during 2012.
    http://www.rickgrant.com.au/
  • Well and Good
    were present again with a fantastic range of products. Always full of enthusiasm and coming up with something new. They were showcasing several new products.
    http://www.wellandgood.com.au/
  • Table of Plenty
    Gluten free Mini rice cakes but with a delicious top coating of chocolate.
    http://www.tableofplenty.com.au/
  • Mary's Gone Crackers
    This range of crackers and cookies are made in the USA but distributed in Australia by Real Food Distributors.
    The Love Cookies range are fantastic, with our favourites being the N'Oatmeal Raisin (No Oatmeal!!) and the Double Chocolate.
    You can find these in health food stores and independent supermarkets.
    http://www.realfooddistributors.com.au/page/products.html
    http://www.marysgonecrackers.com/
  • F G Roberts
    Regular show attendees, F G Roberts were presenting their new Palmira's bread mix which is gluten and wheat free and the bread can be made without yeast. Detailed information packs with recipes were made available.
    http://www.glutenfreehealth.com.au/
  • Celebrate Health
    have an interesting range of gluten free baking mixes based on Chestnut flour (contain dairy), and a range of flavoured Quinoa: Tomato & Basil; Moroccan Spiced and Lemon & Thyme. (I've spotted these in Coles since the show)
    http://www.celebratehealth.com.au/
  • Peppercorn Food Company
    were cooking up their range of gluten free sausages which are delicious.
    Not all of the them are fructose friendly as they contain garlic & onion.
    Unfortunately, the website does not list ingredients. These should be available at your local Woolworths. Ask your supermarket manager if they are not.
    http://www.peppercornfood.com.au/
  • Gluten Free 4U
    This is a new bakery that has opened in Moorabbin and covers bread, pizza bases, tarts, cookies & cakes, all manufactured in a dedicated gluten and nut free enviornment.
    5/1 Bignell Rd. Moorabbin
    http://www.glutenfree4u.com.au/
  • Kez's Free
    were launching their new Vienna Eclair gluten free biscuits.
    Not dairy free. Try the Melting Moments for a gluten and dairy free biscuit.
    http://www.kezs.com.au/products-kezs-free.asp
  • Deeks Health Foods
    We first tried this bread while traveling in the ACT a few years ago and found it to be very good.
    Deeks is now becoming available in Victoria and definately worth a try. Available at Sunnybrook.
    http://www.deeks.com.au/
  • Vitality Bakehouse
    Have a large range of gluten free baked goods.
    Their Christmas Pudding is also dairy free along with our favourite, the Orange Poppy Seed Muffins. (Hard to find on the Internet)
    http://www.raffleshealthyfoods.com.au/
  • San Remo Pasta
    This is our first stop for gluten free pasta. Our favourites are the Penne & Spirals.
    http://www.sanremo.com.au/
  • Yes You Can
    has a range of bread, cake and pancake mixes that are gluten, wheat and yeast free.
    Some have dairy free options including the cupcake mix.
    http://yesyoucan.net.au/yes-you-can/home

You can be sure we will be back in 2012 to see (and taste) the latest gluten free products on the market.