2011 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

The Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show is on again in Melbourne on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of September, 2011 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibiton Centre (Jeffs' Shed).

As always, we look forward to discovering new gluten free products and tasting them all at the best gluten free show around.

Major sponsor this year is Macro (Woolworths) which is a change for this show. Previously, Coles has been the  major sponsor and has supported the show very well with a very large display of its products. Hopefully, Macro will be up to the task.

Book online before the show at http://www.glutenfreefoodshow.com.au/

Aldi Gluten Free

A catalogue from the Aldi supermarket chain arrived in our mailbox recently and we were very interested to see several pages outlining a range of products that are gluten, wheat and dairy free.

The range is called: "Has no...gluten, wheat & dairy" and goes on sale on Thursday the 21st of April, 2011.

The featured products in the "Has no..." range include:

1. Gluten Free Pancake Mix 375g $2.99
   Gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, yeast, soy and peanut free. Suitable for vegans. 80c per 100g
   
2. Gluten Free Falafel Mix 200g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians and vegans $1.50 per 100g
   
3. Italian Buckwheat Pasta 500g $2.99
   Gluten free Fusilli and Spaghetti made from buckwheat. Made in Italy. 60c per 100g
   
4. Italian Gluten Free Pasta 500g $2.99
   Gluten free Fusilli and Spaghetti. Fusilli made from 100% rice flour. Spaghetti made from combination of corn flour and rice flour. Made in Italy. 60c per 100g
   
5. Gluten Free Bread Mix 450g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. 66c per 100g
   
6. Gluten Free Plain Flour 500g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. $5.98 per kg
   
7. Gluten Free Self Raising Flour 500g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. $5.98 per kg
   
8. Gluten Free Rice Crumbs 300g $2.99
   Suitable for vegetarians, lacto vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs. $1.00 per 100g
   
9. Gluten Free Gravy Mix 200g $2.99
   Gluten, dairy, wheat, soy, egg, yeast, GMO and nut free. No added cane sugar. $1.50 per 100g
   

Unfortunately, there is no further ingredient information available but you can see the items on the Aldi Offers page.

Some Googling around for "Aldi gluten free" finds that Aldi have sold this range in the past but that the release is limited. Once stock runs out, that is the end. This maybe how Aldi usually works or they may be testing the market for these kinds of products.

Some of these products look interesting to us and we will be heading to Aldi on Thursday 21st April to pick some up to try. If the products turn out to be of good quality and we all try them out, we may be able to convince Aldi to carry them full time.

Report: 2010 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

October 1 & 2 was a busy weekend in Melbourne with the AFL Grand Final Replay at the MCG and the 2010 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show at Jeffs Shed in Melbourne.
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.


• 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


• 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!

Well & Good - Crusty Bread Mix - Gluten, Dairy & Nut Free

At the 2010 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show, one of the many items we sampled, was some bread made using a new product from Well & Good, called Crusty Bread Mix.

We were immediately impressed by the taste and texture of this bread including an excellent crust. It tasted almost like "real" bread.
We left the show with a box of this mix in our bag.

What's in the box?

• Sachet of yeast
• Packet of bread mix
• Sachet of dusting flour (used when kneading)

You must provide some warm water, oil and elbow grease for the mixing. (We chose the Hand Mix method rather than Electric Mixer).

The method to make this bread is very easy and our 10 year old daughter did most of the mixing, kneading and shaping. This was made even easier by being able to watch the many videos that Well & Good have on their website showing in detail how to make their mix into various kinds of bread.

Here is the result of our first attempt:

Tips
Even thought this was our very first loaf using this mix, below are some things we might do differently.
All ovens are different. Ours is a fan forced oven and we cooked the loaves for the 28-34 minutes suggested on the box at 200 degrees Celsius. The plaited loaf was a bit doughy so we cooked the other for a further 10 minutes or so. This turned out much nicer.

If you haven't tried a gluten & dairy free bread lately, then it is time you did, as things have certainly improved. Making this bread was very easy and the results are very close to "real" bread.

We look forward to making more loaves with this and other bread mixes currently on the market very soon.

Ingredients
Corn starch, rice flour, dextrose monohydrate, potato flour, tapioca starch, thickeners (464,466), psyllium husk, modified maize starch, iodised salt, pea protein, vegetable gums (xanthan, carrageenan, tara)

Made right here in Melbourne.

http://www.wellandgood.com.au/

2010 Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

The Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show is on again in Melbourne on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October, 2010.

We have attended each of the shows in Melbourne and it is no doubt the best gluten free related show around. We always look forward to discovering new gluten free products and tasting them all!!.

Book online before the show at http://www.glutenfreefoodshow.com.au/ and save 20%.

If you can't get there, be sure to check back here for our review.

UPDATE: Read our report on the 2010 show here

Our Previous Show Reports

• 2009 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report
  
• 2008 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report
  
• 2007 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report
  

Report: 2009 Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show

Early October, 2009 saw us once again visiting The Irresistible Gluten Free Wheat Free Food Show at Jeffs Shed in Melbourne.

Here are some of our highlights:

• Coles - Major Sponsor
  It was great to see a major supermarket chain supporting the gluten free community with the largest exhibitor space and for stocking and promoting gluten free products.
  The goodie bag given free to all show attendees included a Gluten Free Recipe booklet from Coles that contains 8 recipes, some of which are egg, dairy and nut free.
  http://www.coles.com.au/


• Kez's Free
  Kez's have an excellent range of treats (biscotti, biscuits and breads) all are gluten free and some are dairy free.
  These are quality products and available at Coles and independent supermarkets. I especially enjoy the Melting Moments and the Cranberry Biscotti (unfortunately I can't get these at Coles so must get them at health food shops) They are pricey which means they aren't something I can have every day.
  http://www.kezs.com.au/


• Spring Hill Farm
  is a Victorian business specialising in gluten free treats including:
  
  • Rocky Road
  • Biscuits
  • Slices
  • Bread Mix
  The bread mix looks interesting as it is wheat free, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free and soy free, but I am yet to try it out.
  http://www.springhillfarm.com.au/


• Melinda's Gluten-free Goodies
  Melinda's have a range of slice, biscuit, muffin and brownie mixes that helpfully include dairy and egg-free options.
  Their latest release (August 2009) is a selection of water crackers, claimed to be Australias first gluten free water cracker.
  http://www.melindas.com.au/


• Well and Good - Chocolate Mud Cake Mix
  We first saw this at last years show and couldn't walk past without trying out more of this great cake!!
  http://www.wellandgood.com.au/


• Vitarium
  This show was the first time we had ever seen or heard of this new Australian company with an interesting range of gluten free products:
  
  • Pancake Mix
  • Fruit Cake Mix
  • Bread Mix
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Gelatine Free Jelly
  • Plain Flour
  • Self Raising Flour
  Unfortunately, the website lacks any ingredient lists. I will have to look out for the products in store to see what they contain.
  http://www.vitarium.com.au/


• The Pastry Pantry
  The seemingly unstoppable Uncle Rick- Rick Grant was showcasing his latest venture in the gluten free market, ready rolled sheets of pastry in four flavours
  • Savoury Shortcrust
  • Sweet Shortcrust
  • Rough Puff
  • Rich Chocolate Shortcrust
  I have some of these in the freezer and will let you know how they go.
  As we passed Rick we heard several calls to Bring Back Uncle Rick. What do you say Rick??
  http://www.thepastrypantry.com.au/
  *** 2011 Update. Rick Grant is no longer involved with Pastry Pantry ***


• Naturally Good- Deli Dippers
  These were delicious, crunchy, mini-bread-roll, savoury dippers that are great with dips and wine. (We should know, as we went home with several boxes.)
  The available flavours are:
  
  • Rosemary & extra virgin olive oil
  • Roasted garlic & herb
  • Sea Salt
  • Cracked Pepper
  http://www.naturallygoodproducts.com.au/ (Website still under construction - November 2009)Website live in Feb 2010


• Tobie Puttock - Celebrity Cooking Stage
  Once again, we enjoyed watching Tobie cook some great dishes


• Dr. Bob Anderson- Seminar Theatre
  We listened to an excellent presentation by Dr. Anderson from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute on Why do I feel better on a gluten free diet?
  Dr. Anderson is also the Chairman of the Coeliac Research Fund, which deserves plenty of our support.
  http://www.coeliacresearchfund.org/

Congratulations to the organisers on an 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!

Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show

The Irresistible Gluten Free Food Show is held annually in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and we have attended each of the Melbourne events.

Originally created by Sue Shepherd, although now run by others, the show is a showcase for manufacturers and local distributors of gluten free products.

Highlights
For us, the highlights have been:

• Discovering gluten free products that are about to hit the market or are already there, but we didn't know about.
  
• Watching celebrity chefs creating great gluten free dishes.
  
• Best of All: Sampling many of the products. From beer to bread, chocolate to ice cream. (Don't have a big lunch before going to this show!)
  

Show Schedule

• Sydney 20-21 November, 2010
  
• Brisbane 14-15 May, 2011
  
• Melbourne 24-25 September, 2011
  

More information at http://www.glutenfreefoodshow.com.au/

Our Show Reports

• 2010 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report
  
• 2009 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report
  
• 2008 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report
  
• 2007 Melbourne Irresistible Gluten Free Show Report