Confusion Reigns at Restaurants

After a very enjoyable Canadian Celiac Association Chapter Dinner at a White Spot restaurant in Victoria, BC, a celiac diner inspired by our review of the amazing gluten-free yam fries, deep fried in dedicated oil, was informed by her server that the fries were not safe for celiacs. Please follow the correspondence below between The Celiac Scene™ and a very conscientious White Spot manager.

If you feel it is time for White Spot's Head Office to make life easier for both celiacs and the staff alike by creating a definitive celiac-friendly menu, please make your interest know to Corporate Whitespot.

tiffany said...
After reading about the White Spots dedicated deep fryer on Caledonia, I went there (while I was in town last) specifically for the yam fries. But the chef's looked at the yam fries and saw "this product has been produced in a facility that also manufactures products with wheat .... etc" on it and came back to me with that news. I opted out of the fries but was very glad that they took the time to look into it for me and give me the option. Not all restaurants look that carefully!

February 8, 2011 7:10 PM
ellen@theceliacscene.com said...
Thanks, Tiffany. This is very disconcerting considering at least a dozen of us celiacs consumed the yam fries with vigour. I will be in touch with the manager and post their response.

March 28, 2011 1:53 PM
ellen@theceliacscene.com said...
As a result of Tiffany's experience, I contacted the manager of the White Spot in question and received this assuring reply, "I read through our allergy information again and it definitely says that they are gluten free. I even went so far as to read the label on both the blackening spice bottle and the box of the sweet potato fries. There is no mention of wheat or gluten on any ingredient list, nor is there a reference to either being manufactured in a facility that has wheat products in it. I'm not sure why someone would have said that. I am going to forward this email to our people at head office just to ensure we do our due diligence here. I will get back to you ASAP when I get a response."

General Manager
White Spot Restaurant
710 Caledonia Ave
Victoria, BC

April 1, 2011 8:04 AM

Eat, Play, Love Gluten-Free Ottawa!

The Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association is proud to be hosting the 30th annual Canadian Celiac Association National Conference, taking place May 13-15, 2011 in the new Convention Centre in the heart of downtown Ottawa. The exciting spectacle will take place within walking distance to the famous Byward Market, Parliament Hill, the Rideau Centre and plenty of fine celiac dining options. From the Tulip Festival to Gatineau Park NHL hockey to the Arboretum, Ottawa has something for everyone!
Complete Details
Download the Agenda
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View Eat, Play, Love GF Ottawa!

Joseph's Coffee House Makes The Scene™

Joseph's Coffee House in View Royal

102 - 284 Helmcken Rd

250-590-2686

www.JosephsCoffeeHouse.com

info@josephscoffeehouse.com

Joseph's Coffee House uses only the best in gluten-free ingredients from Bob's Red Mill, employs excellent practices to prevent cross-contamination and brings his professional training as a Red Seal chef to creating an exquisite array of celiac-friendly baking at affordable prices. Joseph's offers a selection of the fresh celiac-friendly baking daily:

• Banana Loaf

• Chocolate Chip Nut Banana Loaf

• Chocolate Chip Cookies

• White Chocolate Pecan Cookies

• Blueberry Muffins

• Banana Walnut Muffins

• Lemon Poppy Seed Scone

• Cornetti

• Call ahead for soup of the day or special sandwiches. Joseph's also bakes to order and offers a full range of catering options:

Catered Lunches

Catered Dinners

***Home of the Victoria Chapter of the CCA's First Tuesday Teas***

Enjoy a pot pourri of Joseph's wonderful GF baking, a bowl of savoury GF soup and a complimentary tea or dripped coffee on the first Tuesday of every month. April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th ... call 250-590-2686 the day ahead to ensure sufficient quantities of GF baking will be prepared. Arrive Tuesday at 2pm for delicious treats and delightful conversation with other GF gourmands. Everyone Welcome!

Plenty of Parking • Children Welcome • Wheel Chair Accessible

Follow Joseph on Facebook

Is It Really Gluten Free?

Now you can be sure that the choices you make are the right ones for you.

ELISA Technologies has produced an easy to use home test that will quickly detect the presence of gluten in foods. It is sensitive enough to detect levels of gluten as low as 10 parts per million (ppm). This simple test is also small and portable for use at restaurants or when traveling. It can be used to test individual ingredients in foods, or to test finished and cooked products.

In the EZ Gluten® Test, a food sample is ground to a fine consistency, added to the gluten extraction solution, and then mixed. A few drops of the sample extract are placed into a test tube. The EZ Gluten® test strip is placed into the test tube and allowed to absorb the sample extract. After 10 minutes, the test strip can be read visually for the presence of gluten in the sample.

For more information visit www.GlutenPro.com

Celiac Appreciation Day Jubilee Pharmasave

Celiac Appreciation Day at Jubilee Pharmasave

Saturday, March 26th 10 - 4

1775 Fort St, Victoria , BC

250-595-1471

Visit Jubilee on Facebook!

Members of the Canadian Celiac Association and Ellen Bayens, the founder of www.TheCeliacScene.com, will be on hand to provide information about dining out and eating in: gluten-free! Be empowered with ideas and optimism!

• Thousands of GF products on sale at rock bottom prices.

• Gluten-free cookie compliments of www.JosephsCoffeeHouse.com

•••••••••••••••Gluten-Free Gift Certificates Galore!••••••••••••••

• Fairmont Empress GF Tea for Two ... $110

• Fairmont Empress GF Dinner for Two ... $200

• Lunch at www.SanteGFCafe ... $20

• GF Pizza from Little italy Pizza ... $20

Call 250-595-1471 now to book your GF makeover appointment.

Victoria's First 100% Gluten-Free Café

Set to open March 10, 2011, Santé Gluten-Free Café will offer delicious baked goods, bagels, daily soup, salad, fresh salad rolls and fantastic coffee - all 100% gluten free! Situated in the heart of Victoria's colourful Quadra Street Village, enjoy a European setting inside or watch the world go by from one of our bistro tables, set in the sun.

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GFCO at Expo West 2011 March 11-13, 2011

Gluten Intolerance Group's Gluten Free Certification Organization LOCATION: Natural Products Expo West, Anaheim Convention Center Booth 5311 in Hall E, Hot Products Pavilion Come visit the GFCO Booth at Expo West to talk with representatives from: NoNuttin Wayfare Pure Market Express Gluten Free Oats, Marion's Smart Delights TH Foods, Bakery on Main Kettle Cuisine, Mary's Gone Crackers Snyders of Hanover Conrad Rice Mill Conte's Pasta, Chef Roberts/Matt's Munchies 123 Gluten Free Kay's Natural Harbar, Eco Heaven Brown Cow Glow Gluten Free King Arthur Flour EO Products Cream Hill Estates Immaculate Baking Company HomeFree Lakewood Matzoh Stubb's Legendary Kitchen Inspiration Mixes Paleo People Fabe's All Natural Bakery New products will be on display in this booth and at each of their own booths. For more information about the Gluten-Free Certification Organization program visit www.gfco.org

Come Visit GIG at Booth 5311!!