Friday, October 29, 2010

News & Notes: October 29, 2010

A record 1,600 attendees celebrated gluten-free living at last Sunday's Appetite for Awareness, held at the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal. I've been attending the event for the past five years, and this one was the biggest and best to date. I'll have more to share in a recap coming soon.

This Sunday, October 31, marks the end of the fiscal year for the Ambler-based National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, which organized A4A, trains local restaurants on gluten-free cooking protocols, sponsors awareness events throughout the area, and is a rich source of information about celiac disease. A generous donor has agreed to match contributions to the NFCA made through Sunday dollar for dollar, up to $10,000. If you are able to make a contribution (which may be tax-deductible), I encourage you to do so by then so that it can be doubled - no donation is too small!

Sunday also is the deadline for entering my latest giveaway - a variety of gluten-free groceries from General Mills, including Bisquick, Betty Crocker cake mixes and Chex cereal. To be in the running, post a comment to that blog entry noting your favorite gluten-free-friendly restaurant in the area. Reading your restaurant favorites has prompted me to consider creating a "Readers' Choice" poll in the near future on favorite restaurants for specific cuisines (like Italian and Mexican), markets, pizza, bread, beer and so on. I'm open to suggestions for other categories, so drop me a line to let me know what you want to see.

Los Amigos, with longtime locations in Berlin (461 Route 73 North, 856-767-5216) and Atlantic City (1926 Atlantic Avenue, 609-344-2293), has a gluten-free menu, though no dedicated fryers for chips.

In Milmont Park out in Delaware County, Carmen's Pizza (MacDade Boulevard & Milmont Avenue, 610-532-2300) has gluten-free pizza. The shop uses dedicated cookware and utensils. Thanks to reader Travis, who pens the Trav's Gone Gluten-Free blog, for the tip.

Reader Robin F. recommended modern American restaurant Supper in Philadelphia (925 South Street, 215-592-8180), saying the kitchen was "extremely accommodating" and the pastry chef was able to modify a dessert to make it gluten free.

The Beer Outlet (77 Franklin Mills Boulevard, 215-632-5035) and The Craft Beer Outlet (9910 Frankford Avenue, 215-632-2722) in Northeast Philadelphia stock bottles of Redbridge, New Grist and Estrella Daura as well as many varieties of hard ciders.

Food For All Market in Mt. Airy will have gluten-free items for Thankgiving, including stuffing, gravy and pies. Holiday orders are due by November 11.

GoPicnic just unveiled two more ready-to-eat gluten-free meals: Tuna + Crackers, featuring lemon-pepper tuna, multi-seed crackers, unsweetened applesauce, fruit & nut mix, and an organic dark-chocolate square; and Hummus + Crackers, with hummus dip, multi-seed crackers, dry-roasted edamame, fruit & nut mix, and a chocolate square. The products retail for $4.99 each and are available for ordering direct through the company. Sign up for the company's newsletter and get 10% off your first order. There's also free shipping for orders over $99.

Several readers asked last year if I was aware of any gluten-free fruit cakes available for Christmas, and unfortunately I knew of none. Kinnikinnick Foods will produce one this season that can be ordered as of November 4.

Amazon.com's gluten-free deals for October are almost done. This month's offers, which last only until Sunday, include:

Gluten Free Delaware's next meeting will be held on Sunday, November 7 at Christiana Hospital (Room 1000) starting at 3 p.m. There will be an open discussion and group knowledge share.

The Bucks/Montgomery R.O.C.K. chapter is sponsoring a fire station tour on Sunday, November 14. The event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will include a tour of the Horsham Fire Company (315 Meetinghouse Road), demonstrations and a potluck lunch. All family members are welcome; bring a main meal, side dish or dessert to share. To RSVP (with the number of attendees and childrens' ages), contact Holly and Steve Staugaitis at 267-664-6425.

The next Philadelphia Gluten-Free Supper Club dinner is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 14 at Buca di Beppo in Center City. For more information about the club or plans for the dinner, e-mail reader Adriana Z.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and happy Halloween!
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