The Gluten-Free Homemaker

Last Saturday I attended a gluten-free vendor fair which was put on by a local celiac support group. It was wonderful to be around so much delicious food and have it all be gluten-free. All the vendors had samples available, which were mostly desserts and breads. One company had hot soup which was a nice change.

There were three raffles held during the day.  Each raffle contained numerous gluten-free baskets with books and goodies that were contributed by vendors and stores. I won a small basket which contained several Chebe Bread mixes. It also contained a gift certificate to a local bakery which makes beautiful and delicious gluten-free breads and desserts. Since the bakery was represented at the vendor fair, I used my gift certificate the same day. My family drooled over the Boston cream pie, coconut cake, and black bottom cupcakes that I brought home. They were small, but big enough for me to share with everyone. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture.)

I thought I would list some of the vendors that were present because they might be new to you. Click on the name to visit their web site.

Chesapeake Gardens - “Chesapeake Gardens offers a full line of ready-to-heat soups, chowders, chili and sauces. Our all-natural, gluten-free products use fresh, local ingredients! We carefully prepare our foods so they provide two essential benefits: flavor and health.”

Gluten-Free Naturals - “Premium gluten-free baking mixes and other fine gluten-free foods.”

Joan's GF Great Bakes - “Great taste and texture is what sets our products apart from the rest.  Dry, crumbly, pre-packaged baked goods are a thing of the past. Imagine - fresh, hot, crusty, chewy New York Style Bagels whenever you want, the delicious smell of cookies baking in your oven without taking out your mixer, or a real sandwich on soft, chewy, fluffy sandwich rolls! All of our products come ready-to-bake, easy to make, and are fresh when you want them.”

Jules Gluten Free - “If you’ve found your way here looking for an uncompromised approach to gluten-free baking, if you’re in search of delicious, tested recipes, if you’re looking for a patient-expert’s take on living gluten-free…you’ve come to the right place.”

Meister's Gluten Free Mixtures - “David and Rhonda Meister are gluten free flour specialists. Their goal is to allow people to bake gluten free more easily and to enjoy scrumptious baking. They also want to empower the food service industry to better serve all people with dietary restrictions.”

Mr. Ritt's Bakery - “An expanding bakery located in Millville, NJ, we cater almost exclusively to the celiac community and offer gluten-free desserts virtually indistinguishable from our original wheat based products. We have to say virtually, because a few of our products actually taste better now that we've converted them to gluten-free recipes!”

Namaste Foods - “We are a small (but growing!) manufacturer of fine foods that contain no wheat, gluten, corn, soy, potato, dairy, casein or nuts. In business since 2000, we continue to strive to be the best at what we do so that you can enjoy all the foods you’ve known and loved all your life.”

Spice of Life - “We bake goodies that are not only gluten-free, but packed with nutritious grains and organic ingredients.  We believe in providing delicious, HEALTHY breads and sweet treats that just happen to be gluten-free!  Even people are not gluten-free will enjoy our baked goods for the nutritional benefits alone!”

Labels: gluten-free diet

# posted by Linda @ 4/02/2009