Sunday, May 9, 2010

GF CF Fundraiser for Autism*

Nathan and Allison Forget Autism Fundraiser

Trevor and Kathleen Forget's two children, Nathan and Allison, are both autistic, which means the expected full plate that comes with parenthood is overflowing for the couple. What added such urgency to their situation last year was the news that the provincial government was cutting funding for autism treatment, in a big way.

Now, a special culinary event is being staged on Tuesday, May 11 at the Stonepipe Grill near Victoria, BC. This is a multi-course gourmet extravaganza. This spirit of helping out a neighbour will have seldom tasted so good. Last year's news from the Ministry of Children and Family Development was a revelation that hit the Forget's (and all other such families) hard. The Queen Alexandra Centre has since closed, but not before showing the Forget's that hope was not lost as far as the youngsters was concerned. "We spent enough time at the QAC to learn what we needed to do to bring Nathan and Allison out of autism," said Trevor recently. The brother and sister, aged five and three at the time, had been receiving top quality treatment from the QAC, making dramatic progress in terms of communicating and understanding the world around them. Trevor and Kathleen continue to do everything in their power for their kids. Alternative options have been discovered but some financial help is needed – at the rate its going, funds for Nathan's treatment will be exhausted by August – hence the benefit.

Trevor, who has discontinued his studies at UVIC to better manage family commitments, is also an experienced chef who has been working part time at the Stone Pipe Grill.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Stone Pipe Grill 2038 Otter Point Road
www.stonepipegrill.com
(250) 642-0566
5:30 p.m. – dinner at 6:30 p.m.
$50 / person

Live music by a quartet from the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Cocktails
Silent auction between 5:30 and 6:30
Dinner from 6:30 to 9:00
Mead education with Bob Liptrot, of www.tugwellcreekfarm.com

GFCF WINE DINNER FOR AUTISM

Turkey salad: organic turkey rillette and pistachio pate with cold-pressed exotic greens juice, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and greens-fibre masa tuille.

Crab burger: Dungeness crab cake on grilled ghee-brushed gfcf bread, dill hollandaise, lettuce chiffonade, and chardonnay-pickled cucumber with reductions of sweet corn and red pepper juices.

Woven tapestry of salmon and halibut with fried prawn pakoras on crispy quinoa risotto and roasted squash with green curry coconut cream and spiced mango coulis

Charbroiled double lamb-loin chop with Cognac coconut-cream demi on braised leg and diced potato latke with rutabaga, carrot, and turnip coulis

Belgian-chocolate almond torte with fireweed-honey sponge toffee and vanilla-bean Better cream

Silent auction closes after dessert.

Contact: Patrick Irwin and Debi Anderson from the Stone Pipe Grill 250-642-0566
Kathleen and Trevor Forget 250-642-2808

*Jim Sinclair - Sooke News Mirror

Saturday, May 1, 2010

"Portions" Relocates & Refocuses on Gluten Free!

Portions - Distinctive Meals and More have relocated to a larger premises and has put the foucus on the GLUTEN-FREE BAKING that they have gained such a great reputation for!

From fresh gluten-free bread and buns to special occasion dessert platters, we are more committed than ever to meet the needs of the celiac community. We bake on the premises using a dedicated oven and equipment and are making an ever increasing variety of dairy and egg-free product. We are expanding our selection of the very best in gluten-free frozen and dry goods. The premises continue to be peanut free & nut free.

INDIVIDUAL MEALS We now offer a more focused individual meal menu, with a broader choice of dinner pies and quiches. As ever, our ingredients are always farm fresh!

Wholesaler inquiries are most welcome. Contact Brenda by email or at 519-837-3337


Sunday, April 25, 2010

A Gluten-Free License to Drive!


The Road Scene offers quick links to 49+ fast food restaurant chains; their allergen information; GF menus and locations across Canada and the US! Enjoy a care-free, gluten-free holiday this summer!

Download your GF Driver's License here!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

New Date for Course on Gluten-Free Cuisine!

This inspiring course on Gluten-Free Cuisine has been re-scheduled to June 21st, 2010. Discover savoury and sweet recipes without gluten:

Tofu & Vegetable Stew with Chickpea Gravy
Millet Patties
Almond Spice Muffins
Coconut Macaroons
Class ends with a sumptuous feast! Bring containers in case of leftovers!

Gluten Free Cuisine Monday, June 21st 6:30 – 9:30 Fairfield Community Place
1335 Thurlow St, Victoria, BC
Held in Corrine’s kitchen, beside the Gerry Oak Room To register call 250-382-4604
Course # 30877 $49.00
For more info go to www.fairfieldcommunity.ca
Visit Chef Sonja’s website www.five-elements-cooking.com
Catch Sonja on The Celiac Scene™ at http://bit.ly/9Vyzwg

Monday, April 19, 2010

Wild About GF Mushrooms?


Mushroom Lovers,

There are a couple of spaces available in next week's mushroom class offered by renowned chef, cookbook author and dedicated mushroom forager, Bill Jones.

Wild About Mushrooms - Tuesday, April 27/10 6:30 pm

This class will start with a description of mushroom foraging with the emphasis on the spring treat - Morel mushrooms. Chef Bill will dip into his fungi pantry to bring you some of his favourite global mushroom recipes using fresh and preserved mushrooms to create a very special menu.

Recipes include Japanese-style pickled mushroom and spinach gomae; Polish mushroom chowder with stinging nettle cream; Spanish braised Morels stuffed with chorizo and leeks; and spagettini pasta with Porcini mushrooms, rosemary, garlic and artisan Parmesan cheese.


Registration is available online at www.frenchmint.ca


I hope you can join us!
Denise
250 294-4500

Denise Marchessault

Proprietor / Culinary Instructor

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Gluten-Free Fast Food on The Road!

We received an inquiry regarding the absence of a popular fast food chain on The Road Scene™. We are sharing our reply so that those counting on our recommendations have a clear understanding of why some chains are listed and some are not.

"Why don't you have XXX XXXXX on your list? They have a very nice gluten free menu and their cooks go through a training about gluten free, at least here in central Pa. Thanks, Linda"

"Hi Linda, If XXX XXXXX is doing a good job, we want to hear about it!!

We are working our way down a long list of fast food restaurants with an interest to post those that have allergen charts that identify items that are safe for celiacs and / or gluten-free items marked on the menu and / or gluten-free menus. This gives us a sense of their commitment to meeting our needs and puts the onus on them to deliver what they promise.

We look for this information on their corporate websites so that we can be sure that celiacs can expect a standard at every location.

I just searched this restaurant's Canadian website and was unable to find any information on specific gluten-free items on line. I found the user information to be user unfriendly, with a person having to work their way through many pages for each component of a hamburger. That is as far as I got.

Things can often be different south of the border so I checked their US website as well. While I did find wheat and gluten allergen information, their suggestions were in the order of burgers without buns and salads without dressings - more of a celiac survival guide than the comprehensive offerings that so many of the other chains can and do provide.

I would really like to learn more about XXX XXXXX and would be only too happy to pass your endorsement along to fellow celiacs if the entire chain could be counted upon to provide them with the same great experience you received.

Look forward to hearing from you!"

And we look forward to hearing from you, too! If you have had great experiences at fast food chains or any restaurant for that matter contact Ellen with your suggestions!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Real Food Made Easy Bakes!

Are you on a gluten-free but feel like you are missing out on baked goods? Do you want to learn how to bake gluten-bread worth eating?

Real Food Made Easy will be holding a gluten-free baking class at Charelli’s tasting room (C-One) on May 15, 2010. The class will cover techniques and recipes for making a variety of gluten-free yeast-raised breads. The class will include:
• An overview of gluten-free flours and other ingredients used in making bread.
• An outline of some critical techniques that will help make your gluten-bread baking at home a success.
• A demonstration of all steps of the bread-making, from mixing.
• A recipe booklet with 6 different gluten-free bread recipes and a weight-volume chart for a variety of gluten-free flours. • A loaf of Real Food Made Easy’s gluten-free sandwich bread to take home
• Taster samples for all of the take-home recipes
• Gluten-free snacks provided during the class.

While this is an introductory course, we are assuming that participants will have some prior experience baking, gluten-free or wheat-based.

When: Saturday May 15, 2010 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: 2863 Foul Bay Road (The original Charelli’s space)
Victoria, BC
Limited to 10 people
$60 per person, in advance at Charelli’s
*Refunds will be provided for any cancellations made up to 1 week prior to the class.
Cancellations made less than 1 week before the class will be non-refundable.
250-508-4190

Allergy Alert: Please let us know by email if you have any specific allergies (ie nuts) so that we take proper precautions.