Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo Returns on Saturday, May 18


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for the Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo, which has provided me with compensation. [Disclosure policy]

With the tremendous increase of gluten-free products and restaurant options in the Delaware Valley, the Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo no doubt will be bigger and better than ever this year. The expo is scheduled for Saturday, May 18 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks (100 Station Ave.).

The event will once again include local and national exhibitors, educational presentations, door prizes and, of course, plenty of gluten-free samples and concessions. The expo will be open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Hall C. VIP tickets are sold out, but general-admission tickets are still available. General-admission tickets are $10.00 each in advance ($15 at the door), with kids 12 and under free, and can be purchased by phone at 717-248-6741, at any Wegmans service desk or online. Free parking is available at the Expo Center.

More than 70 exhibitors will be sampling, selling and promoting products there. Many companies participating have carved out a niche by producing products that are difficult to replicate or find in a gluten-free form, such as the soft pretzels made by Tonya's Gluten-Free Kitchen and bagels from The Greater Knead. Local restaurants at the event include Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar and The Melting Pot, and there'll be baked goods from The Happy Mixer and others.

Attendees over 21 can also try beverages from Aurochs Brewing Co.Faber Easy Drinking, Liquors,  Cardinal Hollow Winery and Boardroom Spirits. Gluten-free foods available for sample or purchase at the event will include breads, funnel cakes, corn dogs, pizza, pastries, vegan items, baking mixes and gluten-free beers. Last year, over 2,500 consumers attended the expo.

Speakers at the event include yours truly, who will be co-leading a session on gluten-free beers with Aurochs Brewing co-founder Doug Foster; Arunjot Singh, M.D., a gastroenterologist with CHOP’s Center for Celiac Disease; Claire Baker, Director of Communications at Beyond Celiac; and author Melinda Arcara.

The advocacy organization Beyond Celiac, with headquarters in Ambler, is an expo partner and will be promoting the need for Celiac Disease testing at their booth. I'll be at the Beyond Celiac booth in the morning prior to my talk, so be sure to stop by and say hello.

The event is social-media friendly; follow the expo on Twitter (@PhillyGFExpo), Facebook (/PhillyGlutenFreeExpo) and Instagram (@PhillyGlutenFreeExpo) and share your favorite photos and products from the event.

Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo Schedule:

10:30 a.m.: Vendor area open to general-admission ticket holders
11:30 a.m.: I’m Not a Party Pooper…You Are! A Lighthearted Look at the Hard Work of Living Gluten Free with Claire Baker, Beyond Celiac                                                                       
12:30 p.m.: Beer for Everyone: A Guide to Gluten-Free Beer with Doug Foster, Aurochs Brewing and Michael Savett, Gluten Free Philly                                             
1:45 p.m.: Three Steps to Gluten-Free Living with author Melinda Arcara 
2:45 p.m.: Celiac Disease session with Arunjot Singh, M.D., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Fielder's Choice: 2019 Gluten-Free Guide to Major League Baseball Ballparks

The new 32-Ingredient Salad at Rogers Centre in Toronto
Another baseball season brings even more gluten-free options. Many Major League Baseball ballparks have dedicated gluten-free concession stands and carts, while others have expanded their offerings.

Here's where you can find gluten-free concessions at each of the 30 MLB ballparks for the 2019 season (bookmark this post and check back throughout the season for updates; you can email me with any additions/changes that you find).

Incidentally, the Seattle Mariners are hosting a gluten-free night at Safeco Field on Thursday, June 20th with a menu that includes hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and brownies.

Friday, April 12, 2019

News & Notes: April 12, 2019

While more gluten-free beers are always welcome, beverage companies are focusing their efforts on lower-calorie alcoholic seltzers and cocktails. Fortunately, some of them are gluten free. Cape Line Sparkling Cocktails, a new line from MillerCoors, launched this month with three flavors: Blackberry Mojito, Margarita and Hard Strawberry Lemonade. The 120-calorie drinks are made with fermented cane sugar and have no artificial flavors. Cape Line’s drinks are slightly sweet and effervescent and check in at 4.5% alcohol-by-volume. You can check for retailers in your area stocking Cape Line here.
Coming this July is a new beverage line called Pacer Low Proof Seltzer, which will be offered in three flavors: Blood Orange, Meyer Lemon & Lavender and Melon & Mint. Each seltzer is under 50 calories, with less than 1 gram of sugar and 2% alcohol by volume.

One of my favorite gluten-free baking mixes, Krusteaz, has four new gluten-free varieties: Yellow Cake Mix, Chocolate Cake Mix, Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix and Confetti Buttermilk Pancake Mix. Certified gluten-free with no artificial flavors or preservatives, the new additions nearly double Krusteaz's gluten-free family of products, which includes Blueberry Muffin, Gluten-Free Flour, Buttermilk Pancake, Double Chocolate Brownie, Cinnamon Crumb Cake and Honey Cornbread Mixes. The new mixes have a suggested retail price of $3.98 and can be found in the baking aisle at Walmart and online at Walmart.com.




Gorton's Seafood's new gluten-free frozen entree line, Hook Line and Savor, can now be found at Wegmans markets throughout the Northeast U.S. The three varieties - Black Bean Crusted Cod, Citrus Ginger Salmon and Crispy Beer Battered Haddock - are also dairy and egg free. The haddock is made with Glutenberg Blonde Ale.


Nabisco has expanded its Good Thins line with two new gluten-free rice and cheese crackers: Three Cheese and Parmesan & Garlic.

The big news in the area this week in the announcement that the owners of Haddonfield Donut Company (14 Tanner St., 856-354-0006) are taking over the space formerly occupied by Posh Pop Bakeshop and opening Bleu Bear Bakery, a dedicated gluten-free bakery in Haddonfield (109 Kings Hwy. E.). The menu will include donuts (of course) as well as cookies, pies, cake pops, stick buns and monkey bread, cupcakes, cheesecakes, bread and breakfast sandwiches, Plans are for the new shop to open next month.

The venerable Jake's & Cooper's Wine Bar in Manayunk (4635 Main St., 215-483-0444) notes gluten-free options on its menus and has a dedicated fryer for French fries.

Kalaya is a new Thai BYOB in South Philadelphia's Bella Vista neighborhood (764 S. Ninth St., 215-385-3777). Gluten-free options are listed on the menu.

Michael Schulson's Italian restaurant in Rittenhouse Square, Giuseppe & Sons (1523 Sansom St., 215-399-9199), has gluten-free pasta. (Thanks to reader Julie P.)

Monday is the last day for early-bird registration for the Step Beyond Celiac 5K run/walk at the Philadelphia Zoo on Sunday, June 9th. Join "Team Gluten Free Philly" at registration to help me raise money for Beyond Celiac.

Have a great weekend!

- Michael

With the always updated Gluten Free Philly app for iOS and Android devices, find more than 1,700 area gluten-free-friendly businesses on the go, search by cuisine or neighborhood, make reservations and more!