Village Bakery is a specialist gluten-free bakery in Minera, Wrexham, Wales, with its new 24,000 sq ft bakery unit. A few years ago, when this was built, it was hailed as the biggest gluten free bakery in Europe. It was launched in 2008, in partnership, with the Swiss giant The Hero Group and is capable of producing, 2,500 gluten free loaves an hour.

The joint Managing Director of The Village Bakery, Robin Jones said “We went over to Italy to purchase a specialist bread machine, called a minipan, which can make pizzas, flatbreads and naan breads, so it is a very versatile baking machine”. Since it commenced, the Village Bakery has grown at a rate of 25% to 30% each year, in terms of volume and they now planning, to tap into the Italian gluten free market, which is described as the largest gluten free market in Europe.

Initially it is planned, to sell this range of gluten free pizzas and breads across the UK prescription market, then throughout Scandinavia and ultimately all over Europe, with a planned launch date of August 2010. As well as pizzas, the range will include high-fibre and low protein loaves, with bread made from linseed oil and oats, as well as ciabattas and other specialist Italian breads.

The Hero Group is one of the biggest brands in the UK, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe and is now focusing on products, catering for special dietary needs, like Celiacs.

Rafael Cabrera, the Technical and New Product Development Manager at Village Bakery, said “We are really very happy with the way the pizza has turned out and more important the feedback has been excellent, it looks good and tastes good, it will help all Celiacs to have a normal diet, the low protein versions are for people with kidney and liver problems, which for some reason, tends to be a big market in Italy”.

So perhaps they will one day, be selling UK/Italian pizzas in the US, watch this space.

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In other news, according to the charity Allergy UK, as many as 45% of all people in Britain could suffer from food intolerances.  However, this figure is queried/disputed by scientists who feel that many people are incorrectly self-diagnosing themselves as having food allergies.

But according to the Food & Drink Innovation Network, the gluten-free market has increased by well over 20% in 2009, to hit £100/$150 millions in sales, with the number of basic food products having doubled since 2007.

Sainsbury’s, a large UK store/supermarket,  now sells 229 “free from” foods, after adding 90 new lines in the last year.

Marks & Spencers is the latest retailer to introduce  a major new range of  ”free from foods” products to attract shoppers with food intolerances. It has started selling cakes, biscuits, muffins, rolls and loaves made with tapioca flour, tapioca starch and potato starch, instead of wheat.  M & S report that over 40% of the queries they receive through their health web site are regarding gluten-free products.

Tesco’s & Asda (Wal-Mart) already have extensive areas in their stores/supermarkets dedicated to selling “free from” foods.

Finally it is reported  in ‘The Health News’,  that up to half a million people in Britain are unaware that they suffer from the celiac disease.

So it is fair to assume, that we can watch out for an ever greater development and supply of gluten-free food products over the coming months and years.

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During his presentation, Paddy mentioned that UCB has started to manufacture the Genius bread under a contract for Starbucks UK, who plans to introduce gluten-free fresh bread sandwiches in their 600 Starbucks  UK branches.  Then, if successful, they plan to sell in Ireland and throughout Europe.  Paddy then went on to explain some of the background to this development.

A few years ago a Mrs Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne set about baking using her own recipe, a gluten-free bread loaf for her 8 year old son Robin, as he liked to dip his bread into his boiled eggs (in the UK it is called dipping your soldiers). Robin had previously found his gluten-free bread too hard, or too crumbly, to make proper “soldiers”.

Mrs Bruce-Gardyne was trained at Leiths School of Food & Wine and had previously worked in a large London restaurant. A few years ago Lucinda moved to Edinburgh with her husband Hew, an IT Consultant, and after writing a few recipe books for allergy sufferers, she decided to explore the making of a fresh gluten-free loaf.

So every day in her kitchen in Edinburgh, she tried for many hours every day to perfect a loaf that looked like a normal loaf and tasted like normal bread.  Apparently it took her around 18 months to finally perfect it. Once she had a great tasting gluten-free bread, she then signed a deal with UCB (also in Scotland) to manufacture the loaves, which are currently being supplied to all the UK’s major supermarkets.

As of the writing of this post, the Genius loaf  is considered to be expensive, as it currently sells for around £2.49 or $4.00 each. Here in the United Kingdom that is considered to be very pricey, but it is our hope that with a major increase of production, eventually the price will come down.

The loaves obviously could not be easily exported to the United States but it is understood that talks with UCB may be proceeding to either sell the products as a mix to a U.S. bakery, or perhaps even under license to allow production to take place in the US.  Of course this would allow either both large supermarket chains and/or Starbucks located throughout the United States to sell Genius bread!

Once more information is learned it will be covered here, so make sure you are subscribed to our feed!

You are reading Starbucks UK is Buying Gluten-Free Bread. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2010.

We are commencing with a small restaurant called Leo le Lion, at 23, Rue Duvivier, 75007 Paris.  Leo le Lion offers simple and inexpensive food with a good choice of daily specials, including a number of gluten-free dishes.

Then take  a visit to Willis Wine Bar, at 13, Rue des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris.  At this restaurant you will find that the staff nearly all speak English. It opened in October 1980 and this quite revolutionary establishment, has quickly become a part of the Parisian life.  With its elegant 1930′s facade, a long polished Oak Bar, displaying over 250 different wines. Then the restaurant offers some fine cuisine, supervised by Chef Francois Von, all served under its high Oak beamed ceilings, a wonderful atmosphere. You can have impromptu meals at the bar, or eat in the elegant restaurant, both offering a gluten-free selection.

La Bambou Vietnamese Restaurant, at 70, Rue Baudricourt, 75013 Paris,  Tel 01 45 70 91 75, is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Paris (if not in Europe).  It offers a really great selection of Vietnamese dishes, with gluten-free being catered for. But because the restaurant is so good, it is very popular and is often packed, so be prepared you may have to queue a while, to get seated, it will help if you speak Vietnamese or French!

Le Petit Troquet Resturant, 28, Rue Exposition, 75007 Paris, offers an exceptional quality of A la Carte food, but it is still reasonably priced, with a number of gluten-free dishes.

La Tour d’Argent Restaurant, 15, Quai Tornelle, 75005 Paris.   This is an expensive restaurant, but it offers a great view over Notre Dame and the River Seine, lunch without wine, will cost you around 65+ Euros. When you make your reservation try to get a window seat, it is well worth the effort. The restaurant has an extensive menu, with a number of gluten-free items to chose from.

Le Petit Pontoise, 9 Rue Pontoise, 75005 Paris.  This is an excellent Bistro, its worth waiting, to get a seat outside, it has a good menu, with a selection of gluten free dishes.

So there you have a sample of Paris restaurants, some expensive, others more reasonably priced, but all serving really great food.  Don’t let language problems spoil your visit Paris!

You are reading Eating Gluten-Free (Sans Gluten) in Paris, France – Part 2. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2010.

So armed with your limited knowledge of French, you decide to eat out. You will find certain restaurants not as cheap as you may be used to if you live in the United States, but there are some of the others which are not as expensive.

Restaurant menus are rarely translated into English, so you must be prepared, or have a translator with you.             

First, I recommend you try Des SI & Des Mets Restaurant, at 63, Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris, Tel 01 42 55 19 61  Ask for their Menu Sans Gluten, this is one restaurant in Paris that actually has one and offers a good selection of dishes which are reasonably priced.  Lunch is 26 Euros and brunch is available for 22 Euros.

Next, this is a smaller restaurant called The Biosphare, at 57, Rue Saint Maur, 75011 Paris, Tel 01 48 06 08 81. The Biosphare has a restaurant and a take away section and offers a gluten-free menu.  Last I checked you can order gluten-free dishes and its not overly expensive.

If you want to try a British Style Pub in Paris then try Le Bombadier Pub, at 2, Place du Pantheon, 75005 Paris Tel 01 43 54 79 22.  They offer a selection of bar type meals, a number of which are gluten-free.

Then if you really feel swish and you want to see and sit on the River Seine, go to the Cafe Barge Restaurant, at 5, Port de la Rapee, 75012 Paris  Tel 01 40 02 09 09.  The barge is quite a long 300 tons of boat, the interior has been done out in expensive style, by Roland Bijaoui. The Barge is actually parked on side of the River Seine and offers a good selection, but pricy, of fish, meats and fine wines, a number of the dishes are gluten-free.  Try it for the atmosphere at night in Paris on the River Seine!

There are a  lot more restaurants to come, in Eating Gluten-Free in Paris France, Part 2.

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It was mentioned in the first of these articles about Dublin that you can get and eat gluten-free fish & chips every day of the week. If you go to Beshoff Bros Restaurant in 6 Upper O’Connell Street, you can do just that.   You will find you can eat gluten-free any day of the week.  The original owner and founder of the restaurant was the grandfather, Ivan Beshoff, a Russian, who came to Ireland in 1913. He lived for 104 years eating his fish & chips, today you can come and eat in the Old World restaurant surroundings and enjoy your gluten-free battered fish & chips.

Roly’s Bistro (Tel: 01.668.2661), is at Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, which is quite close to the American Embassy.  They have an extensive menu which includes some gluten-free dishes, plus they have casual dining in the cafe.

Fitzers Restaurants, is actually a Group of 3 restaurants which offer gluten-free options.   These are all elegant restaurants serving fine food, found at Temple Bar Square, Chatham Sreet and Dawson Street, see their guide to these fine eating places.  All with their own extensive lists of great meals, many gluten-free dishes are available.

Chatham Brasserie, Chatham Street, Dublin 2  Tel: 01.679.0055

The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill Restaurant (Tel: 01.677.1155) at 51 Dawson Street also has gluten-free options.    You can meet the renowned Chef himself, one of the world’s finest chefs, on a video where he explains his approach to serving fine food and he is often to be found in the restaurant.

Frankie’s Steakhouse & Bar, at 42 Temple Square, Dublin 2  Tel: 01.679.0440  For great steaks and salads.

So there you have a selection of some of Dublin’s ‘fair city’ restaurants, again some are expensive and some are more reasonable, but don’t forget to make sure they know you are a Celiac and must only eat Gluten-Free foods, they will look after you and you will enjoy a great visit to Ireland.

You are reading Eating Gluten-Free in Dublin, Ireland (Eire) – Part 2. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2010.

You will find that Dublin has many fine bars and restaurants and the staff are all extremely helpful, make sure you tell them you have celiac disease and must only eat gluten-free,  unfortunately you will have to avoid the Guinness, but if you want a beer, then there are a number of gluten free brands on sale. Nearly all these restaurants we have listed, will offer you a gluten free selection, there is even a daily Fish & Chip which serves gluten free batter (in Part 2), we have identified a number of these bars, bistros, restaurants, they all have dishes which you will enjoy.

Peploe’s Wine Bistro, at 16 St.Stephens Green, Dublin 2       Tel:01.676.3144    www.peploes.com The restaurant has been restored from its original 1760′s vaults and today offers some of the best of food and wine, to be found in Dublin. Their extensive menu, includes lots of soups, meats, fresh fish and salads, many dishes being gluten free.

Kilkenny Shop, Cafe & Restaurant, 5 – 6 Nassau Street, Dublin 2, lots of great Irish food, including gluten free food, they even offer gluten free scones and baguettes.

Cornucopia Restaurant, 19 Wicklow Street, Tel: 01.677.7583, good selection of gluten  free dishes.

One of the best restaurants in Dublin, is the Donnybrook Fair Cafe, at 89 Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Tel: 01.614.4849, they have another restaurant in Greystone & Baggot Street  www.donnybrookfair.ie with a great selection of food, including many gluten free items.

If you like hot spicy foods, then try the Cafe Mao, for great Asian cooking, there are 3 restaurants in Dublin, 1 in Chatham Row, the next in Dundrum, the third in Dun Looghaire. You can chose from many gluten free dishes, of spicy food and hot curries, great soups, salads, try their Nazi Goreng, with lots of other spicy dishes.

O’Connells Bewley Hotel, Merrion Road, Dublin 4  Tel: 01.647.3304 offer a good menu, with a selection of gluten free dishes.

More gluten-free restaurant options to come in Dublin Part 2, so make sure you are subscribed to our feed!

You are reading Eating Gluten-Free in Dublin, Ireland (Eire) – Part 1. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2010.

Some of the restaurants in Berlin, Germany are quite expensive, but you can also find several more affordable options.  As always, don’t forget to ask for an English version of a restaurant’s gluten-free menu and tell them that you have celiac disease and can only eat gluten-free food.  If you do, they will usually understand and help you to choose.  Also a majority of all Berlin’s restaurant employees speak English.

Here are a few more restaurants in Germany that offer gluten-free menus:

Maxwell Restaurant, found in Bergstrasse 22, Berlin  Tel:30.2807121 - They have a full and quite extensive menu in English, with a good selection of dishes, many being gluten-free, just be careful with the gravy’s and sauces, which might contain flour. The restaurant itself has a tremendous history, it started life as a brewery in  the 19th Century, so if you enjoy character, with excellent cuisine and mirrored walls, then this is a place to visit, in Summer you may eat out in the ‘al fresco’ courtyard.

Sophieneck Bar/Restaurant, located in Grosse Hamburger Strasse 37, Berlin    Tel:30.2834065  - This is another restaurant with a great history. In the early 19th Century it was a laundry, but it changed quickly to  become part of a Coaching Company, housing coaches and horses. In 1924 Getrud and Ernst Batzer arrived from West Prussia, they bought the rear part of the Sophieneck and in 1926 opened as a bakery. The centre part of the Sophieneck was an undertakers. The staff at the restaurant today will tell you that the pub is only haunted by friendly ghosts, who like good beer. The restaurant/bar served homemade German food up until the 40′s, it then was used as a warehouse.  In 1984 the bakery moved to Sophienstrasse 30, where the bakery remains today. In the summer of 1984 the German State began the re-construction of the Sophienstrasse. In 1986 the restaurant re-opened. Today, the people who run the restaurant, took over in 1994.

The Balthazar Restaurant, in Kurfurstendamm 160, Berlin, Tel:30.80408477 - Is a splendid restaurant, found in Berlin’s equivalent, to the French Paris, Champs Elysees. The restaurant, under  the guidance of the owner and Head Chef, Holger Zurfbruggen, offers a sumptious selection of International dishes,with many gluten free, served on tables, covered by starched linen tablecloths, under beautitful chandeliers, quite an experience. One of it’s claims to fame is its stupendous, 12 course menu, with guests being served from the 12 litre Balthazar Bottle, make certain to go there with a good appetite.

HITIT, Turkish Restaurant, Danceklman Strasse/Knobelsdorf Strasse, Berlin   Tel:30.3224557 - This restaurant offers a great selection of Turkish Dishes, many are gluten-free, there is a choice, from approximately 150 dishes. Inside the building the restaurant has its own waterfall.

Lutter & Wegner Restaurant, Charlottenstrasse 56,  Berlin      Tel:30.2029540  -  There is a full English version of their menu and many items can be selected which are gluten-free. This is a famous, but very pricey restaurant.  However if you try the Bistro, you will find nearly all the items from the main restaurant menu, at a fraction of the main restaurant’s prices.

In Berlin there are hundreds more restaurants to try, too many for us to mention, just ask your Concierge at your hotel, and remember to mention, you only eat gluten-free dishes, good luck.

You are reading Eating Gluten-Free in Germany, Part 2. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2010.

When shopping or eating out, there are two words to remember, look for and avoid buying them or eating them.  These two words are weizen (wheat) and mehl (flour).  However, if you want to buy gluten-free cakes, biscuits, or bread, then the stores you will want to seek out are the following:

1. Reformhaus – There is a network of around 3,000 stores throughout Germany.
2. DM Stores - Offers a good selection of gluten-free foods.
3. Alnatura – Has a great selection of gluten-free foods, so you should never have to go without a snack.

German Restaurants With Gluten-Free Menus

If you want to eat Italian, Chinese, or Indian there are many options to choose from that offer gluten-free dishes.  Of course being in Germany you have many German restaurants serving typical German meals, including veal, steaks, chicken, soups, with lots of salads.  Just make sure they don’t add lots of sauces!  Always keep it simple and you will not go wrong.

In Berlin there is a sumptuous riverside restaurant, it is the Spindler & Klatt, located at Kopenickerstrasse 16 – 17, Berlin (Tel: 30.69566775).  This is one of Berlins most fashionable haunts. During the day the restaurant, in a converted warehouse, offers great food and the sheer spendour of the building, will leave a lasting impression on you.  The menu is in German and English. But the restaurant changes after 23 hours, it’s dance floor opens, with hard hitting music, played by DJ’s, if you enjoy late night loud music, its the place to finish up at.

Another good restaurant is The Remake, at Grosse Hamburger Strasse 52, Berlin, (Tel:30.20054102).  At first glance from the street, the restaurant has a rather ramshackle facade, but behind it is one of Berlin’s best restaurants. The menu is available in English and shows a huge range of meals from around the world so select carefully and remember to re-state that your foods must be gluten free.

If you wish to try a typical German Beer Garden, then go to Joe’s Wirtshaus Zum Lowen, at Hardenbergstrasse 29, Berlin  (Tel: 30.2621020).  In the summer months the restaurant has an open air Beer Garden, which seats 400 people, with draught beer and a large variety of German dishes,  many gluten free. The menu is available in English and even has a section of meals, for under 10 Euros and they are very generous German portions.

If you are interested in learning more, my next post, Germany Part 2, will feature several more exciting restaurants with gluten-free menus!

You are reading Eating Gluten-Free in Berlin, Germany Part 1. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2010.

2 Brothers from Sicily opened the Sicilianbocca in Prati, Via Emilio Faa Di Bruno 26   Tel; 0637358400   This restaurant was so successful, that they have opened another restaurant, called Sicilianbocca al Flaninio, Via Flaminia 390  Tel: 063240187.   This is located near the famous Milvio Bridge.  Both these restaurants faithfully reproduce the flavors of Sicily.  Don’t forget on entering, tell the waiter ”Senza Glutine” and you will be well looked after.

You may also want to relax in the shadows of some Centenarian Sycamore Trees, at the elegant and exclusive Alex Cafe Restaurant, at Via Vittorio Veneto 20    Tel: 064823618    The owner Fabrizio Ciafrei will take good care of you and they do have a gluten-free menu.

Some other restaurants that offer gluten-free menus:

• Boccondivino Restaurant, at Piazza in Camp Marzio 6     Tel:0668308626  also have many gluten-free dishes.
• La Terrazza Restaurant, is found within the Hotel Eden, at Via Ludovisi 49, good choice of gluten-free dishes.
• A few steps away from St.Peter’s, is II Giardino Pamphili, at Via Leone de Holn 63  Tel: 06661004603. Their “Paccheri de Gragnano” , short pasta tubes, filled with red scorpio fish and cehhery tomatoes, is really delicious,  a good selection of fish dishes, lots of gluten-free food.
• Del Frate Restaurant, Via Scipioni 118    Tel: 063236437   This restaurant is next to the Homonymous Historic Bottle Shop, well worth a visit. The Del Frate is a modern, but cozy, wine bar, with a choice of gluten-free dishes.
• A restaurant with the very best of views over the whole of Rome, the view really is spellbinding,  it is La Terrazza del Eden, Via Ludovisi 49    Tel: 06478121    Have a drink in the bar and look down on Rome, one of the best views of the city, you will ever find, so take as long as you need, whilst ordering a great gluten-free meal.
• Restaurant Cafe Romano, Via Borgognona 4M    Tel: 0669981500    The Executive Chef, Rodofo Chieroni will cook you cuisine, from traditional Italian, to Mediterranean and multi-ethnic delicacies.
• Restaurant Moma, Via San Basilio 42    Tel: 0642011798    This restaurant is owned and managed by the brothers Franco & Gastone Pierini, who will offer you contemporary cuisine, in an authentic Italian culinary tradition.
• Casa Bleve, found in Via del Teatro Valle 48   Tel: 066865970         This restaurant is owned and run by Tina & Anaceleto Bleve, it is just around the corned from Piazza Navona.  The restaurant has recently been voted as “One of the best Italian Restaurants”.  It is frequented by Politicians, Gastronomes and Connoisseurs.  Don’t forget tell them “Senza Glutine” or “Lo Sono Celiaco” and you will be truely well looked after.

This should be enough restaurants to make sure you are well fed while visiting Rome, Italy.   Have any you’d like to add?  Please share them in the comments!

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