Bakers List

We have been wanting to do this for awhile...create a list of all of the gluten free bakeries and bakers in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley for two purposes--for one so I can see what my options are for birthdays and two to see where and how I can come by those goods. Please keep in mind this list is not an end all, things change in the food industry all the time and you should always do your research regardless of what we have found.

Here’s some information about how we compiled this list. We included any place that makes gluten free baked goodies from scratch, so long as they were local and took some level of precaution to avoid contamination with gluten. As a result we came up with directory of sorts which includes places you can order wedding cakes, birthday cakes, places you can go for coffee and enjoy gluten free baking or some gluten free bakers who sell their goods at Farmers Markets. Please note, most of this research was conducted in 2011; there may have since been changes to some items on the list.


APHRODITES CAKE & PIE SHOP
3598 W 4th Ave Vancouver BC V6R 1N8 604 733 8308
http://www.organiccafe.ca/
info@organiccafe.ca

About: Aphrodites Pie Shop is all about organic foods, from local organic farms to ensure the smallest ecological footprint. Specializes in (you guessed it) pies! On a side note, you can dine GF here as well.

Where and how to find the GF goods: You can either pick them up directly at the pie shop, although they do have a preorder option online and pick up at the shop, which we think is better in order to avoid disappointment. They will make any fruit pie, as long as they have the fruit on hand. They will, if requested, make a gluten free quiche or a wild mushroom pie for you too. I have been to this shop and they usually carry 2-3 GF pies at a time. They also have some of their goods at the Home Grow Inn on Cambie, but your best bet for their gluten free goods is at their main store location on 4th Ave.

Level of Contamination: "We take every precaution to ensure our products are free of contaminants, but customers must be aware that nuts and wheat do exist in our facilities" http://www.organiccafe.ca/

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Mostly local and organic produce. They use a brown rice flour blend

Best Sellers: raspberry rhubarb and blueberry

Price: wheat/gluten free pies $36/pie


BAKED
Catherine Meiklejohn
604 789 2284
http://www.bakedonline.ca/
info@bakedonline.ca

About: Catherine bakes out of her own kitchen, recreating and reviving childhood recipes her mom made into gluten free creations. She bakes delicious, unrefined, GF and some GF, vegan baked goods. She is working on getting her baked goods into coffee shops and stores around the Lower Mainland. She bakes cookies (dark chocolate, vegan chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip), pecan bars, chewy puffed rice bars, chocolate coconut macaroons, peanut chews, scones and she is currently working on loaves and cupcakes.

Where and how to find her goods: You can find Catherine at Vancouver Farmer's Markets on select dates. Her next date will be May 22 at Blim Market in Vancouver (Heritage Hall). Or you can order directly from her website (minimum order is 2 dozen cookies, chews and macaroons).

Level of Contamination: In addition to cooking mostly gluten free in her own kitchen, Catherine designates separate bowls, cutting boards, utensils, bakeware, wash basin and dishclothes for her baking.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: She uses a sorghum, tapioca, chickpea and potato flour blend which is great for anyone who can't tolerate rice flour. She uses organic butter and organic coconut oil in the vegan baked goods. For sweeteners she uses maple syrup, brown rice syrup, and unrefined sugars such as sucanut and turbinado. She uses no soy products, and uses very little corn (corn flakes in peanut chews). You can see ingredients for some of her items on her order page.

Best Sellers: Her pecan bars and peanut chews are her best sellers

Price: $ 12-24/dozen


BBELLES BAKERY
Kris, Susan & Michelle Britton
http://www.bbellesbakery.com/
bbellesbakery@gmail.com

About: This is the newest gluten free, vegan bakery in town (Vancouver), focusing on healthy, yet sinfully delicious options for all allergy sufferers. It’s a family run bakery making fresh to order chocolate chip cookie sandwiches, chocolate sandwich cookies, snickerdoodles, and brownies.

Where and how to find the goods: You can buy from their online shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/bbellesbakery with home delivery approximately $6.99 in the Lower Mainland. You can also order by emailing them. They are working on getting their products into some of the stores, so it would be good to check back with them on where else you might find their baked goodies.

Level of Contamination: "We only bake with Gluten-Free, Vegan ingredients, but do work in a facility that may have traces of gluten and other ingredients. We do keep our work space sanitized and use 100% gluten-free cookware and utensils. If you have more questions regarding this, please email bbellesbakery@gmail.com" http://www.bbellesbakery.com/

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Bbelles Bakery uses 100% organic and wholesome ingredients. Their flour blend is made up of brown rice flour, white rice flour, potato starch, potato flour, sorghum and tapioca flour. They use wholesome, low glycemic sweeteners such as agave, palm sugar, and raw cane sugar. They are vegan, GF, egg free, soy free, nut free, and dairy free.

Best Sellers: Their brownies are one of their bestsellers.

Price: 1/2 dozen brownies $16.99, a dozen $30.99


BELL’S BAKE SHOP
110-12211 First Avenue
Richmond BC V7E 3M3
604 284 5152
http://www.bellsbakeshop.com/
info@bellsbakeshop.com

About: A cupcake shop in Steveston, Richmond. Offers gluten free cake and cupcake options baked from scratch daily. Cakes are made by special order.

Where and how to find her goods: At her location in Richmond only. You can also place orders by phone. They offer one flavour of gluten free cupcake each day, which is usually chocolate as that is their most popular flavour. However they will bake according to customer requests should you want some other flavour. Once gluten free cupcakes run out, that’s it for the day.

Level of Contamination: Note this is not a gluten free facility. Some precautions are taken to minimize contamination. Gluten free products are baked first thing in the morning before anything else is baked. Everything is washed and cleaned down each night.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Uses free range eggs, real Canadian butter. Her flour mix consists of soy, rice and tapioca and guar gum.

Best Sellers: Gluten free chocolate cupcakes

Price: Their gluten free products are priced the same as their regular products, $2.75/cupcake, $15 for ½ dozen, and $29.50 per dozen cupcakes. Cake prices vary.


BIG CITY CUPCAKES
various locations in Lower Mainland: Downtown Vancouver, Kitsilano, Point Grey, Maple Ridge, Cloverdale, Langley, Coquitlam
http://www.bigcitycupcakes.com/

About: Canada's largest and fastest growing cupcake company. They offer one gluten free chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. Other icing flavours such as strawberry, chocolate, coconut have to be specially preordered.

Where and how to find this GF cupcake: This cupcake is available at Big City Cupcakes only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You may specially preorder cupcakes- minimum order is a dozen cupcakes.

Level of Contamination: Big City Cupcakes has a separate bake center for their gluten free cupcakes. ie: separate mixing bowls and bakeware used.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: The chocolate cupcake is from an almond flour base

Best Sellers: The lady I spoke to said the chocolate almond cupcake was one of her favorites as it tastes something like a brownie (coming from a person who can eat gluten).

Price: $4.99/cupcake


BROWN DOG CAFE
4544 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, BC V6R 2J1
604 221 4340
http://www.browndogcafe.ca/
browndogcafe@hotmail.com

About: Family run business by Shona Pearson (chef) and her daughters with emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. New to Point Grey Area (less than a year), their main focus is not on gluten free goods but they do accomodate special dietary needs such as GF and vegans. This cafe specializes in breakfast, brunch, lunch and takeouts. Technically speaking this is not a bakery, however they do bake some gluten free items from scratch such as: banana bread, muffins, brownies and pancakes. On a side note, you can have breakfast and lunch here all GF and they serve gluten free pancakes and crepes.

Where and how to find their goods: From their cafe location in Vancouver. They don't make the same gluten free baking everyday so it’s good to call ahead if you are looking for something in particular. They need 2 days of advance notice if you are requiring ie: a dozen muffins. They are a small kitchen so it is good to give them a call for options.

Level of Contamination: Brown Dog Cafe does not designate dishes gluten free, but they do sterilize and do a thorough clean before baking their gluten free goods separately.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: rice and tapioca flour blend

Best Sellers: Their most popular goods don’t happen to be the baking (they carry a different item each day ie: blueberry muffin one day, brownies the next day and raspberry blueberry scone the next day). Most popular gluten free items at this cafe are the pancakes and the soup.

Price: $3-$4/baked good


CHOICES RICE BAKERY
2595 West 16th Ave
Vancouver, BC V6K 3B9
604 736 0301
www.choicesmarket.com/ricebakery.htm
rice-bakery@choicesmarket.com

About: Probably the largest gluten free bakery in the Lower Mainland. They have the largest range of gluten free products all made in their 100% wheat/gluten free environment, some of the items can be made dairy, egg, yeast and gelatin free. They make breads, buns, pizza crusts, bread crumbs, quiche, pot pies, pizza, muffins, pies, scones, cookies, squares, loaves, bars, cakes, pudding cakes, tortes, brownies, granola bars and they sell some frozen ready to bake ie tart shells, cinnamon buns. They also sell dry baking mixes. They have an extensive list on their website.

Where and how to find the goods: Some of the Choices Markets will carry a selection of goodies but if you are looking for something in particular then you can give the rice bakery in Vancouver a call and they can send you a special order (to your closest Choices Market).

Level of Contamination: 100% wheat and gluten free environment

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: They use mostly organic flours and non GMO oils. They have a list of these ingredients on their webpage.

Best Sellers: Their most popular items are double chocolate fudge cookies, chocolate cake, rice carrot cake, rice banana muffins, brown rice bread, and lemon squares --we've tried their carrot cake and it’s pretty divine.

Price: $40 for a cake, $4-5 dollars for 2-3 muffins or 4 cookies


EDIBLE FOODS BAKERY
Paul & Alli
2280 West Broadway (between Vine and Yew Streets) Vancouver, BC V6K 2E3
778 237 6856
http://www.edibleflours.ca/
info@edibleflours.ca

About: This is the newest vegan bakery opening its doors mid to late March 2011. Paul & Alli have done well with their products at Farmers Markets in Vancouver and have now expanded with this new bakery. They sell vegan and gluten free, baked goods, made to order, small and large orders. Of their items, the only items gluten free are their cookies (chocolate chip, lemon, and tahini raisin), cupcakes (chocolate and vanilla), banana loaf and 3 bite brownies. We love their special dietary needs symbol system allocated ie for gluten free, or sugar free (etc.) on their website next to each item--very helpful!

Where and how to find the goods: They will have their goods at their new bakery of course and you may also order their goodies online. You can pick up your orders at their new location free of charge. They do offer delivery at set delivery charges, check their website for further details.

Level of Contamination: This is not a 100% gluten free bakery, but Edible Flours does take steps to minimize contact with gluten.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Their products are 100% vegan. They use natural, unrefined, local, organic, fair trade, and non-GMO products wherever possible. They are highly committed to creating the healthiest and highest quality products with emphasis on expeller pressed oils, whole grain flours and unrefined sugars such as maple syrup and evaporated cane juice. They also offer gluten free, wheat free, soy free and sugar free items.

Best Sellers: Their most popular items are the gluten free cupcakes (any flavour) and the chocolate chip cookies. Their gluten free doughnuts which will be a newer menu item, look to be promising as well.

Price: cookies are roughly 1.75 each, cupcakes $4 a piece, $18 for a banana loaf, and $1.50 for a 3 bite brownie.

GLUTEN FREE EPICUREAN
Delainy Mackie
778 863 1995
http://www.glutenfreeepicurean.ca/
info@glutenfreeepicurean.ca

About: Delainy Mackie is a photographer gone baker who has lived with Celiac's for more than 10 years. She comes from a family of gluten free bakers who focus on healthier versions of gluten free baking. Delainy offers delicious baked gluten free goods at various Vancouver farmers markets and cafes around Vancouver. Her usual offerings are double chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin loaf, lemon poppy seed loaf, cardamom apple tarts, no oat fudge bars, Nanaimo bars, lemon bars, vegan date squares-actually she makes many gluten free vegan items (check out her website for more info). She also makes cakes, cupcakes, loaves, cookies, bars, squares, eclairs, brownies, doughnuts, apple fritters, cinnamon buns, ice cream sandwiches. She also does take and bake items ie pizza crust, cinnamon buns, sausage rolls, cookies. Just give her a call or an email or meet up with her at one of her market dates.

Where and how to find her goods: You can find Gluten Free Epicurean goods at Blim Community Market and at Got Craft (check her website for the latest dates and locations). Her baked goods can also be regularly found at Buddha Full in North Vancouver (all vegan goods), Our Town Cafe, Quejos, and Le Marche St George.

Level of Contamination: 100% gluten free environment

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: highest quality ingredients, sustainable, organic, nutra farmed, free range, un sprayed foods. All the baking is done by hand. All produce and dairy is local, organic and hormone free when possible. A brown rice flour blend with white, sweet rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, corn starch, potato flour, garbanzo bean and buckwheat flour is used.

Best Sellers: her best sellers are the sausage rolls, then cinnamon buns; if you are looking for the top vegan GF sellers it would have to be German chocolate cupcakes and the double chocolate chip cookies.

Price: 1/2 dozen cookies =$10, whole cake=$45 Loaves=$15


GLUTEN-SHMUTEN
Janelle
604 733 4833
http://www.gluten-shmuten.blogspot.com/
glutenshmuten@gmail.com

About: Janelle makes gluten free goodies for Vancouver Farmer's Markets and for private sale. Gluten free and yeast free baked goods and bread on offer: Bite size brownies, low fat banana bread, white chocolate cranberry scones, ginger cookies, sea salt chocolate chip cookies, gluten free yeast bread and a breakfast bar.

Where and how to find her goods: At Vancouver Markets starting on May 21st and through private sales ($50+) contact via email or phone.

Level of Contamination: She is gluten free herself (severely Celiac); Her entire kitchen is gluten free, no cross- contamination, she can’t even have traces of gluten. She also clearly labels her products.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Uses a combination of flours, depending on product - corn flour, sweet rice flour, brown rice, potato, chick pea or chana flour. For her low fat banana bread, she uses hydrated potato flour, flaxseed and corn. For her brownies, she uses pure chocolate, no flour; she uses cocoa as the flour.

Best Sellers: Her bestsellers are the bite size brownies and the low fat banana bread

Price: Brownies - Half dozen: $4.25 Dozen: $8.00


HIGH CROW GLUTEN FREE FOODS
Julie Desgroseilliers
604 767 4913
http://www.highcrow.com/
info@highcrow.com

About: Dietician, Pastry chef and Food Product Designer Julie Desgroseilliers specializes in producing one-of-a kind gluten free products. Her motto "Bet you can't tell the difference" suggests her products taste similiar to wheat based versions are her products are equivalent in taste, texture, and appearance. On offer are cookies (chocolate chip, ginger, peanut butter) gluten free squares, brownies, blondies, loaves (banana, blueberry streusel, lemon, pumpkin), sorghum bread, flaxseed bread, chickpea/sorghum, millet/rice bread, graham crackers, and GF mixes and more. She even has dinner rolls, hot dog buns, and hamburger buns on offer. She also provides gluten free, dairy free birthday/wedding cakes and or cupcakes through her partnership with Buttercup Custom Cakes.

Where and how to find the goods: Her gluten free products can be found at Wired Monk Coffee Bistro in Abbotsford. She has Vancouver market dates "(Vancouver Farmer's Market, Nat Bailey and Steveston) check out her website to see when and where you can find her and her goodies. You can preorder for pick up at her market dates, but she does require 48- 72 hours notice. Other pick up options are available either at her market or her new kitchen. Email her for info regarding the location. Don’t forget if you need cupcakes, birthday cake or a wedding cake to contact Buttercup Custom Cakes. In addition you can enjoy some items such as their gluten free hamburger buns and desserts at ABC restaurant in Abbotsford.

Level of Contamination: All products are produced in a GF commercial kitchen in Delta, BC.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Nutritious wholesome ingredients used such as chickpea, millet and sorghum flours and rice bran. All products are dairy free. Most of the breads have egg white. Check out her website, there is a breakdown of all ingredients in all of her gluten free products.

Best Sellers: her best selling bread is the rice millet bread, and it sounds like her cookies are pretty popular as well.

Price: loaf of bread $7, hot dog buns 6 for $5, hamburger buns 6 for $5.50. 6 cookies-$7.50


HOFSTEDES
Gael Smyth
45796 Luckakuck Way
Chilliwack, BC V2R 5P9
http://www.hofstedes.ca/
hofstedes@telus.net

About: This is a cute family owned grocery store with a huge selection of European goods and groceries. They have a little cafe that serves some gluten free items. They also have a gluten free section in their grocery aisle. They make their own gluten free bread and serve gluten free sandwiches on this bread. They also sell this bread by the loaf. In addition, they bake gluten free cookies (chocolate chip, cranberry coconut, and cinnamon raisin) and blueberry muffins as well as pineapple carrot loaf all made from scratch. The gluten free baking is done every Wednesday. If you have any questions I would contact Gael Smyth as she is the head of their bakery department.

Where and how to find the goods: You can find their gluten free goods in store. If you want to pick up ie: a loaf of bread its best to give them a call and get one special ordered or check to see if they have any in stock as their bread is their best selling item. Some of their baked goods, unless specially ordered can be found in their freezer section. If you want freshly baked cookies (ie not frozen) call and order them for pickup on Thursday as they do all their gluten free baking on Wednesdays.

Level of Contamination: Apparently precautions are taken to minimize contamination but they emphasize that they can not guarantee that there is no contamination. That being said they do scrub down between each baking and separate kitchen tools and buckets are used for the gluten free products. The gluten free baking is all done on a separate day (Wednesdays)

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: They use a potato, tapioca, garbanzo and rice flour blend.

Best Sellers: Their bread is their bestseller, along with their pineapple carrot loaf.

Price: The bread is $7.99, the pineapple carrot loaf is $6.95.



HOMESTEAD SPECIALTY BAKING
Jennifer Young
http://www.homesteadbaking.ca/
homesteadbaking@gmail.com

About: Jennifer Yong a local mom, ex-lawyer, turned professional baker bakes delicious gluten free goods. While not a Celiac herself, Jennifer strives to create delicious and (secretly) healthy items using alternative flours for people with special dietary needs. Some of the items she bakes are muffins (fruit streusel, banana chocolate, banana date fig (sugar and dairy free), fresh seasonal rustic fruit tarts, brownie bites, scones (blueberry white chocolate, raisin, pumpkin, savoury cheddar & herb), cookies (oatmeal raisin, peanut butter chocolate chip, chocolate chip) and banana & fig loaf and cakes. She also sells some gluten free baking mixes (pancake and muffin mixes). She will accommodate for different food sensitivities such as gluten free, sugar-free, and dairy free products.

Where and how to find the goods: Her gluten free baking mixes can be found at Home Grow-In Grocer in Vancouver (196 West 18th Ave @ Columbia). She can be found at Vancouver Farmers Markets but check her website for the latest market dates. Alternately you can custom order any of her items through email (on her website). She is open to big and small orders ie a birthday cake or dozen scones.

Level of Contamination: Homestead Specialty Baking does not bake from a gluten free kitchen and does not guarantee 100% gluten free baking. However Jennifer does take precautions to minimize the risk of contamination by storing GF flours in sealed plastic containers on a separate shelf. Separate baking tins are used for gluten free baking. Prior to baking counters and dishes are re-cleaned and rewashed. However it is good to note that many people with gluten allergies and Celiac have enjoyed her products with no noted reactions.

Types of Flour/Ingredients used: Jennifer uses high quality ingredients, locally sourced, organic, and natural ingredients whenever possible. Some ingredients she uses in her baking is organic brown rice flour, tapioca starch, sweet potato starch, and organic evaporated cane juice

Bestsellers: Her bestsellers are the brownie bites and the sugar free banana fig date muffins which are popular even among non-Celiacs.

Price: Not Available.


LE GATEAU
121 East 1st
North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B2
778 881 5909
http://www.legateaubakeshop.com/
Tanya@legateaubakeshop.com

About: Bakes custom made cakes and cupcakes. They offer vegan and gluten free options.

Where and how to find her goods: Has a commercial kitchen, pre-order request, custom orders only – pick up or delivery.

Level of Contamination: She is the only one who prepares the food so she cleans everything beforehand and makes sure everything is sterilized. She was a baker at whole foods and capers baker and has had a lot of exposure to people with Celiacs, therefore has expertise to the different levels of gluten sensitivity – she will normally talk to you about your allergy and what level of sensitivity you have when you place an order and will prepare the food accordingly.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Uses organic and natural ingredients.

Best Sellers: Chocolate cake and her personal favorite are the vanilla cupcakes.

Price: Cupcakes: $2.50 each, customized toppers – 25 cents and up, Cake: $4.50 per serving. Prices do fluctuate according to your custom order.


MILSEAN SHOPPE
2900 Street
Aldergrove, BC V4W 3R4
604 856 3024
http://www.milsean.com/
info@milsean.com

About: This is a cute café shoppe owned and operated by the Robinson’s in Aldergrove. The owner Maureen does the gluten free baking from scratch. They offer muffins and cookies.

Where and how to find the goods: There is a sheet at the till that has the GF items included on it. You order at the till as it is a café. Each item on the menu has complete ingredients listed. Daily Baked: Cranberry Cinnamon Muffins, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Weekend Waffles , Special Order GF items: Chocolate Cupcakes (sometimes on weekends), Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Maureen's Carrot Cake (this one is amazing!), Chocolate Cake (made with quinoa, very moist indeed).
New: They are in the process of offering Udi's GF bread to substitute for their spelt grilled sannies (with the warning that they will be grilled on the same grill that the spelt sannies are grilled on. The staff are instructed to carefully clean before placing sannie on the grill).
New: They are also in the process of offering Udi's Bagels (they will be toasted in a toaster oven (with warning :this toaster oven is occasionally used for spelt bread))

Level of Contamination: Staff have gone through a re-training to bring them up to speed, and certain tools are kept separate. Large equipment items are thoroughly cleaned and inspected before switching over to GF products. Small tools that may harbor traces of gluten (like flour sieves and muffin pans) have their own dedicated ones for GF recipes. "Our GF waffles are yummy but we warn our customers that they are made on the same waffle iron as the wheat waffles (hopefully we will be able to dedicate their own waffle iron in the future). We also sell the waffle/pancake mix for our customers to take home." Items in the display cabinet are kept in a separate part with their own set of tongs. Cookies are baked on disposable parchment paper. Muffins are baked in dedicated muffin pans.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: rice, brown rice, tapioca starch, cornstarch. She is also looking forward to experimenting with sorghum flour too. They occasionally use almond flour & quinoa flour but at present they find it makes the end price too expensive. As a side note, they use organic cane sugar in many of their recipes and sometimes organic agave nector.

Best Sellers: Chocolate Chip Cookie (approx. 4 to 5 in. diameter)

Price: Chocolate Chip Cookies: $2.25 each and 3 for $5.75.

Items in the Works include:
GF Wholesome Pastry (for pies) made with brown rice flour, cornstarch, tapioca starch and my own addition of milled flax.
GF New Muffin
GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Balls


MOUNTAIN TOP CAFÉ & BAKERY
103-1124 Lonsdale Avenue
North Vancouver, BC V7M 2H1
606 960 9605
http://www.emountaintop.com/

About: This is a dedicated wheat/gluten free bakery/cafe in North Vancouver offering all kinds of gluten free goodies such as cakes (black forest, carrot walnut, cheese cake, chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse, white cake, wedding cake), sweet & savory pies, squares (pecan and dates), rocky road bars and macadamia brownies. They also offer pizzas, muffins, cake mixes, foccacia, buns, scones, hamburger buns, bread, hotdog buns, pizza and sausage rolls, pies, cookies, and tollhouse cookies. If you have time, check out their café for breakfast and lunch where they serve pancakes, bacon, eggs, sandwiches and soup. Some of their gluten free goodies are dairy and sugar free.

Where and how to find the goods: At their location in North Vancouver. You can also find some of their goods at Whole Foods as well as Ed’s Gluten Free Specialty Store in Vancouver. They have an online ordering system as well.

Level of Contamination: Everything is made in a dedicated gluten free wheat free facility.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: A variety of flours is used depending on the product. For example the brown rice flax bread is made with brown rice flour, flaxseed, millet, white rice flour, and tapioca while their cheese scones are made with a tapioca and potato starch blend. Some of the ingredients are listed on their website.

Best Sellers: According to their website their top six sellers are chicken pot pie, brown rice flax bread, pepperoni pizza, beef pot pie, ham and pineapple pizza and cheese scones.

Price: The pot pies are around $7-8 dollars a pie, the pizza is $6.25 for a 7 inch pizza and the bread is $7.25. The cheese scones are $6.50 for half a dozen.



MY LOCAL CAFE
3772 W 10th Ave
Vancouver, BC V6R 2G4
604 221 7088
http://mylocalcafe.wordpress.com/
mylocalcafe@gmail.com

About: This is a lovely café near UBC campus on 10th, offering more than the usual café fare, including many delicious gluten free options. They have on offer various gluten free baked goods ie: muffins, squares, bars, cookies, cakes, bread, tea loaves, breads. Everything is made in house from scratch except for wraps and pasta. They are a café and do offer GF sandwiches, soups and salads.

Where and how to find the goods: Their products are only found at their Café in Vancouver.

Level of Contamination: Because they make gluten products in the same kitchen, My Local Café will not guarantee that that a product is 100% gluten free. However they do take many precautions to minimize contamination such as all the gluten free baking gets done in a separate oven, preparation is done in a GF designated area with GF designated dishes and equipment (cutting boards, knives, toasters etc).

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: N/A

Best Sellers: muffins, Nanaimo bars, soup

Price: $3 for muffin, $3 nanaimo bar, $6 GF Trifle, $9 GF molasses Loaf


PANNE RIZO
1939 Cornwall Ave
Vancouver BC V6J 1C8
604 736 0885
http://www.pannerizo.com/
info@pannerizo.com

About: This is a gluten free bakery/deli/cafe that has been around since 1998 in Vancouver offering goods made from scratch in a gluten free facility. Some goodies are available sugar free, egg free or dairy free. On offer is a huge assortment of pies, breads (including challah, herbed olive loaf, cinnamon raisin loaf, squares, cookies (many types of biscotti available), treats, savouries, muffins, cakes, flans, tiramisu, crostada. You can also stop and eat some lunch here- mac and cheese, panini sandwiches, pizzas, soups and sandwiches are all on offer.

Where and how to find the goods: You can find their goodies in a few places including Whole Foods, Capers. They will also ship to the States.

Level of Contamination: Everything is made in a 100% gluten free dedicated facility.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Free range eggs, nonhydrogenated oils and quality ingredients used. They use mostly rice flour in their baked goods – did not mention whether white rice or brown rice flour.

Best Sellers: All of their products sell very well – did mention that Hot cross buns are selling very well right now

Price: About $7-$8 per box of cookies, $7 for loaf of bread



QUEJOS
4129 Main Street
Vancouver, BC V5V 3P6
604 420 0832
http://www.quejos.com/
info@quejos.com

About: This is a different sort of bakery cafe. Specializing in GF brazilian buns made from manioc powder. Also bake many gluten free cookies and muffins.

Where and how to find the goods: You can find Quejos products at the following stores: Granville Island Public Market, Choices, Drive Organics, Famous Foods, Good Nature Foods, Inno Bakery, Marketplace IGA, Ladybug Organics, Natural Focus, Nesters, Stong’s Market, Supervalu, Whole Foods

Level of Contamination: Produced in a completed wheat free environment.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Primary ingredient is manioc – which is on a safe list for gluten free diet.

Best Sellers: Brazilian Cheese Buns

Price: 1.65 each for Cheese Buns



SWEET E'S PASTRIES & SWEETS
2032 W. 41st Ave
Vancouver, BC V6M 1Y8
604 264 9202
http://www.sweet-e.ca/
pastries@sweet-e.ca

About: This is a chic cake and pastry boutique in upscale Kerrisdale owned and operated by sisters Eleanor, Kathleen and Theresa. On offer are gluten free chocolate cake, selected truffle pops, pavlova, meringue cookies (seasonally)

Where and how to find the goods: directly at their store in Kerrisdale. Can pick up smaller items, but they do encourage to order ahead for larger items.

Level of Contamination: Can’t guarantee completely gluten-free as they use a lot of flours. Each girl has her own station and between every step or stage of the baking process; all machines and areas are wiped down.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: They do not use any flour in their GF items. They take their original recipe, cut out the flour and make changes to the proportion of egg, butter and chocolate, as well as add more cocoa. She confirms that her products still has a real cake texture and one would not be able to tell that there is no flour included.

Best Sellers:
Winter – chocolate cake (3 versions – mini individual, two diff layer cakes – one butterscotch filling/pecan and the other is a flourless chocolate silk – like ganache (use homo milk and butter)

Summer – pavlova (Only offered in the summertime)

Price:
Pavlova: $8 for the small size (Feeds 2 people)
$45: 12 inch (Feeds 15 people)

Chocolate Cake: $3.95 individual cake
$19.00: 4 inch (Feeds 4-6 ppl)
$34.00 – 6 inch (Feeds 8/10 ppl)



SWEET TOOTH CAKERY
Jenny
778 839 6873
http://www.sweettoothcakery.ca/
jenny@sweettoothcakery.ca

About: This is a boutique bakery in East Vancouver which specializes in all kinds of made from scratch baked gluten free goodies especially special occasion cakes and wedding cakes (fully decorated). Sweet Tooth Cakery takes pride in creating products as tasty and moist as wheat versions (if not more so). Jenny is a celiac herself and baking and cake decorating is something that has come naturally to her. Take a look at the gallery on her website for some of the cakes she has created to date. Cakes come in many flavours (chocolate, yellow butter, ginger spize, carrot, lemon, coconut, and hazelnut) with various flavoured fillings (ganache, buttercream, cream cheese, and fruit) with your choice of fondant, buttercream or ganache finishes. Also on offer are loaves (banana chocolate chunk, triple ginger molasses, lemon poppy seed), cookies (chocolate chip, dark chocolate mint, coconut almond pecan, flourless brownie bites, sugar cookies, macaroons, gingersnaps) and biscotti (white chocolate almond, dark chocolate hazelnut). Dairy Free and vegan cakes can be made upon request.

Where and how to find her goods: Most of Jenny’s goods are ordered per what you order. You can place an order online by email or by phone. Wedding Cakes and custom cakes need at least a minimum of 1 months notice. One week minimum notice is required on all other orders. Orders can be arranged for pick up (from her East Vancouver kitchen) or delivery. Jenny can also be found at Farmers Markets in Vancouver and North Vancouver. Check her website for the latest market dates.

Level of Contamination: Sweet Tooth Cakery currently bakes in the same kitchen where gluten baking occurs. However many precautions are still taken to minimize cross contamination. Baking is done when no other gluten production is occurring. Sweet Tooth Cakery uses their own equipment (all designated gluten free so no gluten gets processed on this equipment). Gluten free ingredients are kept separately from all other gluten ingredients. The only shared equipment is ovens and sinks. Jenny is however in the process of setting up her own 100% gluten free retail bakery location, so keep an eye out for more news on this to come.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: Everything is made from scratch (no mixes) from the freshest, organic ingredients. Sorghum, rice and tapioca flour blend is an example of the types of flours they use. They use organic palm shortening, real butter and organic powdered evaporated cane sugar.

Best Sellers: Sweet Tooth Cakery’s most popular egg free (GF) cake is their chocolate corruption cake with either vanilla or chocolate buttercream finish. Their most popular gluten free cakes are the lemon cake with raspberry filling and vanilla finish or chocolate cake with chocolate filling and finish.

Price: a 6 inch cake starts at $30. Cupcakes are $ 3.25 each. The smallest vegan and gluten free cake they sell is 8 inches approximately and is approximately $55.



THE SWEET LIFE BAKERY CAFE
Suite 38, 45905 Yale Rd W
Chilliwack, BC V2P 2M6
(604) 392 2253

About: They offer double chocolate chip muffins and lemon muffins, as well as Udi’s bread.

Where and how to find her goods: Located at the bakery in Chilliwack.

Level of Contamination: Are going to start making homemade gluten free items, she said they will make every effort to cook free of contamination but they will have a disclaimer for people who are very sensitive.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: They are planning on offering homemade GF items, which may be available in a couple of weeks.

Best Sellers: lemon muffins

Price: $7 loaf, $8 -4 in a pack for muffins



WENDELS
103-9233 Glover Rd
Fort Langley, BC V1M 2S5
(604) 513 2238
http://www.wendelsonline.com/
info@wendelsonline.com

About: This is a cute bookstore café located in Fort Langley. This is a great place to find a good read as well as have a cuppa and enjoy some of their gluten free goodies.

Where and how to find the goods: Wendel’s cookies can be found at Nature’s Fare in Langley, Urban Fare, Stong’s Market, and Ladybug Organics. On offer are chocolate chip cookies and ginger cookies. They also offer different gluten free muffins and desserts every day, along with tarts (butter, pecan, coconut almond). At their café you can find GF items on the menu or entrees which they can make GF.

Level of Contamination: All products are made in a commercial regulated bakery where they incorporate three key standards you can count on:
Ingredient Integrity
• They only buy raw materials from carefully selected producers, thus reducing or eliminating the chance for allergen contact before they use ingredients.
• All of their organic ingredients are certified organic.
• They test gluten free products for detectable allergens and water supply for containments at a British Columbia Provincial Government approved laboratory for microbiological testing.
(I.G. MicroMed Environmental)
• Gluten – Free Certification Standards ( in process of certification)
Wendel’s True Foods abide by standards of GFCO, a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). GFCO, Gluten-Free Certification Organization, provides an independent service to supervise gluten-free food production according to a consistent, defined, science-based standard that is confirmed by field inspections. The goal of GFCO is to enhance confidence and safety.
• Organic Certification – FVOPA (in process of certification)
Wendel’s True Foods abide by standards set by the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association (FVOPA). They are recognized certification program encompasses the ISO (International Standards Organization), the National Standards of Canada and complies with the USDA NOP (United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program) under the US/Canada equivalency arrangement.
Food Safety
• Wendel’s True Foods is committed to foods safety and adheres to the strict food safety guidelines of The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) method. HACCP is accepted as the state-of-the-art control method for preventing biological, chemical and physical hazards from entering the human food distribution chain. (HACCP)/ (in process of SQF 2000 certification)
Product Quality & Taste
• Wendel’s stands behind their products and believe food should taste fantastic and be made with whole real ingredients, free of added refined sugars, fillers and preservatives. They take pride in making real food with real ingredients that tastes great.

Types of Flours/Ingredients used: They use the highest quality, local organic ingredients. The products use a mix of flours, rice, soy, tapioca and potato

Best Sellers: Chocolate chip cookie

Price: Wendel’s Café sells 10 cookies for $8.50 per bag and tarts for $2.85.

San Francisco: GF in Haight Ashbury

This cafe is a bed and breakfast located in the hippie district of Haight Ashbury.  Just fabulous.
They have a small GF menu, but it was a unique experience for me.
I ordered the tamale, I'd never tried one before, as can be noted by the fact that I tried to eat the outer corn maze, which is not meant to be eaten.  Hence why I am very amused with myself below ;)

They have a few different options for tamales - Cheese, chili & corn, black bean and all the vegan options are GF. Check out the menu here http://www.redvic.com/peaceful_world_center/Peace_Cafe_Menu.pdf
It was very cheap, about 3.00 and tasted so very good. Very healthy tasting and just the right amount of chilies.  I like my food to be flavourful and I found this hit the spot.
The atmosphere is just great and theres also gifts you can check out to buy.
All in all, great place to have lunch at on a fine summers day in San Francisco!

Covert Farms: Organic U-picking

My sister, Parveen and I sipping wine at The Elephant Island Orchard Winery

Oh how I love the Okanagan! The gorgeous sun, beautiful green Mediterranean feel and a ton of healthy options.  My family headed to Osoyoos this weekend for a relaxing time and we stopped by Covert Farms (near Oliver) on our way back home.  This place is fantastic for U-picking organic fruits and veggies.  Aside from that, the family that owns this place is gluten free and offer many options in their cafe.  They have gluten free pizza and tacos to name a few options.

We weren't able to try any of them as they were not offering them due to a festival that was happening that weekend, but we did hear great feedback.  If you are GF and in the area, you should definitely check this place out.

On a quick side note: Naramada was an absolute delight...you feel like you are in Italy - We stopped by to visit some pretty fantastic wineries - My favourite was The Elephant Island Orchard winery.  I'll tell you this, I've never bought so much wine before :)

My Not-So Gluten Free Trip to India

In February, I went on a fabulous 6 week trip to India. I knew it would be tough to stay on my diet on this trip for a few reasons. India has amazing food - not to mention an abundance of great gluten-filled foods such as naan, rotis, somosas and phrontay (naans filled with potatoes). I knew I wasn't strong enough to not at least try some of these foods.

While staying in the village, I found it easier to stay on my diet as my aunt made my mum and I corn roti's...now these were great but not exactly gluten free as my aunt wasn't able to prepare the food cautiously and without contamination. I felt sick almost every day we were there - which could have been due to several reasons.

While we travelled around, we found that restaurants in northern India carried the corn option, which was great. Once again, people in India are not educated on Celiac disease and restaurants can't guarantee there will be cross-contamination, so really you have to take your chances. When we travelled to Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra (to more central parts of India), we found no restaurants offered a corn option at all. My mum and I were stuck eating rice with a sabhji (vegetarain dish) or a dhaal (soup) or not stick to the gluten free diet at all. I found it very tough and definately paid the price. I came back feeing pretty unhealthy and ten pounds lighter from constantly getting sick.

So while the food was absolutely delicious - it is almost impossible to be gluten free in India.

I do have to add a comment about the amazingly fresh fruits and veggies in India. Vegetarian dishes are much tastier in India - for example, the carrots are almost a shade of red which made the carrot dish much yummier. Cauliflower sabhji was fabulous as well. Okra, which is my favorite dish, was to die for in India. The fruit - watermelon, apples, guavas are delicious! You will see many stands that sell fresh fruit juices. The best fresh fruit juice I tried was at the rock garden in Chandigarh - which is a must see site.

PS. You can get the most delightful cup of chai in India :)

Enjoy Life

We were contacted by Alina Tylman of Enjoy Life Foods and asked to write a honest review on two of their new gluten free products - Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mega Chunks and Double Chocolate Crunch Granola. We were very excited as we are two girls who love our chocolate!

Enjoy Life is a company which specializes in making allergy friendly food products. They make all of their products free of the top allergens including wheat, dairy, peanuts, gluten, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish. Their products are gluten free certified by GFCO Gluten Free Certification Organization. For those interested in knowing they are also Halal and Kosher certified. Finally their products are made with natural ingredients, no trans fats and no genetically modified ingredients.

Lets start with the granola. I, for one, am not a huge fan of granola..but throw a bit of chocolate in there and I may change my mind. This was the case with the Double Chocolate Crunch. Its fabulous and without being overly sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed this snack. The granola is crunchy and small - such a great mix with the dark chocolate. This is such a great snack for people with allergies to wheat, gluten, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy etc. I dare you to try it - as I bet you wont be able to stop after just a handful. My sister thinks it would be especially great in yogurt or dessert parfaits. Kids will love it too.

The Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mega chunks were a big hit with my sister's husband (gluten eater) - I think he ate half the bag by himself. However, we were able to save a cup to make some chocolate chip cookies. What I love about these chocolate chunks are that once again, they aren't overly sweet as they tasted like dark chocolate. They tasted great in the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies we made. I love chocolate so biting into huge chunks of chocolate is heaven to me. Especially if you tend to cook with no sugar - the chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness. So enjoy this one on its own or in cookies or muffins.

We also really enjoy Enjoy Life's Perky's Crunchy Flax Cereal which is full of fiber, protein and iron (6 grams of fiber, 7 grams of protein, and 20% of daily iron intake per serving). Definitely keep an eye out for this product as it can be challenging at times to find wholesome gluten free cereals which are high in nutrition. Highly recommended!

Check out www.enjoylifefoods.com for more information.