We visited on the Sunday and the show looked as popular as ever, with a slightly different layout to previous years.
Here are some of our highlights:
- Coles - Major Sponsor
Once again, Coles were present and a major sponsor of the show with a large display of the gluten free products that they stock.
The goodie bag given to all show attendees, this year included a booklet of discount coupons for gluten free products from Coles.
www.coles.com.au - F.G. Roberts
We have seen F.G.Roberts at every gluten free show we have attended and they have been very active in producing gluten free flour alternatives; soy products and bread mixes in Victoria since the 1930s.
Their hands on demonstrations of their Cottage Bread Mix was exactly what we like to see at these events, along with plenty of samples. We look forward to trying this new mix out ourselves. They had a day old loaf for tasting which was still quite good for gluten free bread.
www.GlutenFreeHealth.com.au - Chang's Authentic Asian Cooking
We were very impressed by the extensive range of Chang's Asian cooking sauces that are gluten free. Our cupboards always have a few of these ready for our next stir fry.
From their flyer:
In the manufacture of Changs Soy based sauces, gluten is first completely removed from the wheat flour. This leaves wheat starch, which is the extract of wheat named as an ingredient. Both sauces have been tested and found to contain NO detectable GLUTEN. which explains why wheat is mentioned on the ingredients list. Good to know.
http://www.changs.com - Bayview Gluten Free Products
Bayview produce a range of frozen foods that are gluten free, dairy free, yeast free with no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or GM ingredients. Most of these are also fructose friendly.- Crumbed Chicken Tenderloins (Our favourites)
- Crumbed Flounder Fillets
- Crumbed Fish Bites
- Crumbed Salmon & Vegetable Patties
- Crumbed Chicken Breast Nuggets
- Crumbed Vegetable Patties
www.bayviewseafoods.com.au
A suggestion to Bayview: Their website has nutrition information for each product but no ingredients list. I like to know what is in something before I buy it. Reading ingredients lists of products in the freezer section of the supermarket is not my favourite hobby. - Crumbed Chicken Tenderloins (Our favourites)
- Well and Good - Crusty Bread Mix
Well & Good continue to come out with some excellent products, many of which we have tasted for the first time at these shows.
This year we were very impressed by the samples of bread made using their new Crusty Bread Mix. Very Tasty.
Since the show, we have made our own bread using this mix. See the results here.
Check out all their products on their website:
www.wellandgood.com.au - Simply Wize
Simply Wize are another Victorian company with a history of quality gluten free products.
This year they presented their Crusty Bread and French Stick mixes along with thier prepackaged Gnocchi.
We are yet to try these products.
www.momentumfoods.com.au - San Remo
San Remo gluten free pasta is a staple in our house and it is great to see them active in the gluten free marketplace and events like this.
They were one of a very few of the manufacturers to have a Suggestion Box at their stand and I think it was getting plenty of use. What a great idea! Events like this put gluten free product manufacturers face to face with their end customers. A perfect opportunity to see what is working/not working with their products. Well Done San Remo!
www.sanremo.com.au
Suggestion: Ingredients list on your website please - Kez's Free
Kez's continue to produce a very high quality range of biscotti, biscuits and breads, all of which are are gluten free and some are dairy free.
I always have a packet of the Melting Moments in the cupboard.
New products from Kez are:- Chocolate Chip Indulgent Biscuits - Gluten Free
- Cranberry Choc Chip with Chia - Gluten & Dairy Free
The cranberry biscuits contain honey, so those of you with fructose malabsorption will need to be careful.
www.kezs.com.au - Chocolate Chip Indulgent Biscuits - Gluten Free
- Boscastle Pies
Boscastle is a well known name in the world of gourmet pies which now includes a gluten free range. The excellent allergen information available on their website indicates that these pies are also dairy free. They do contain onion & garlic so fructose malabsorption sufferers, be careful.
We asked if they would ever produce a pie without onion? Their answer: No.
www.boscastle.com.au - Peppercorn Food Company Sausages
Peppercorn Food Company had a great display of their many gluten free products and with plenty of samples being tasted.
We were very pleased to find out that several of their sausages do not contain any onion. We went home with several packets of the Chicken Sausages with Fresh Lime and Spices; the Extra Lean Sausage Italian Style and Extra Lean Beef Sausage with Fresh Aisan Herbs and Spices.
www.peppercornfood.com.au - Eskal Noble Choice Dairy Free Chocolate
It can be hard to find good quality dairy free chocolate. After a quick taste test of Eskals Noble Choice Dairy free chocolate with Mint, we'll be looking out for this one on the shelves.
www.eskalfoods.com - Orgran
Orgran are a very well known brand in the gluten free market with an extensive and growing range of products.
To make life easier for their customers, they have produced a quick reference guide that easily shows allergen information for each of their many products.
A great idea from Orgran
www.orgran.com - Patties.....Missing
Patties were a noticable absentee from the show this year. Patties Sausage Rolls; Meat Pies and especially the Lamingtons are items that I always have in my freezer.
www.pattiesglutenfree.com - Fox In The Box
The Foxy Ladies from our much loved Fox in The Box restaurant in Brighton were present promoting their excellent allergy aware dining experience along with some new products: Foxy Hot Chocolate and Turkish Delight.
www.foxinthebox.com - Mamasita
Mamasita is an authentic Mexican restaurant in Collins St with a menu that is entirely gluten free. They were serving up plenty of very interesting looking food throughout the show which we didn't get to taste.
We will be trying out this restaurant soon.
www.mamasita.com
It was great to see the two restaurants above at the show promoting themselves and we hope to see more like this next year.
Congratulations to the organisers on another excellent show!
Usual disclaimer, we have no connection with any of the producers listed. We look forward to seeing these products on local shelves and to next years show. See you there!
