Friday, May 26, 2017

News & Notes: May 26, 2017

This week's Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago brought word of some novel twists on traditional gluten-free favorites. This December, Skittles and Starburst are spicing things up with Sweet Heat versions of their classic candies.

Just Born's Peeps brand is set to expand with more premium Peeps Delights. Look for maple brown sugar marshmallow with white fudge, sugar cookie marshmallow with white fudge, and peppermint bark marshmallow with dark chocolate later this year.

Locally, Station Taproom in Downington (207 W. Lancaster Ave., 484-593-0560) has gluten-free burger buns and can recommend other items on its rotating menu that are gluten free. (Thanks Kaitlyn M.)

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Gluten-Free Standouts at the National Restaurant Association Show

Many of the 36 award winners at the recent National Restaurant Association in Chicago are gluten free - not surprising given the marketplace's growth. The 2017 Food and Beverage FABI Awards recognize innovative food and beverage products that make a significant impact in the restaurant industry. Some of these are sold in supermarkets, while others are only available at restaurants.

Gluten-Free Biscuit Sandwich from Kiki’s Gluten-Free Foods: The first frozen gluten-free biscuit sandwich now available in foodservice is a breakfast or lunch option for gluten-free consumers on the go. Individually wrapped in plastic to prevent gluten cross-contamination and available in a variety of options, these biscuit sandwiches can be microwaved from frozen or quickly baked and kept under warming lights for over an hour without getting soggy. You can order Chicago deep-dish pizza, ravioli, pita bread and lava cakes through the company's website.

Brazi Bites from Franz Bakery: Brazi Bites Brazilian Cheese Bread are crispy outside and fluffy inside. And because it uses cheese, eggs, milk and tapioca flour, it’s naturally gluten-free.

The Beyond Burger from Beyond Meat: The world's first plant-based burger that looks and cooks like fresh ground beef, The Beyond Burger is non-GMO, soy free and gluten-free, providing a way for consumers to reduce their red meat intake. Although completely plant-based, it cooks through like a regular burger with a better nutritional profile than ground beef,  including 20 grams of protein per serving.

Gluten Free Dough; Pizza & Hoagie Rolls Ready to Bake from Wild Flour Bakery: Artisan, small-batch and 100% yeast-raised, Wild Flour Bakery has created the only gluten-free pizza dough in the industry able to take the 900+ °F temps of wood, coal, gas or infrared ovens without parbaking or burned edges. The bakery's fresh, soft hoagie rolls are used at area Jersey Mike's shops.

Friday, May 12, 2017

News & Notes: May 12, 2017

New additions to the Philadelphia gluten-free restaurant scene include Asian fusion SuGa by Susanna Foo (1720 Sansom St., 215-717-8968), which notes gluten-free options on the lunch, dinner and brunch menus.

Thanks to reader Marissa R., who let me know that Wm. Mulherin's Sons (1355 N. Front St., 215-291-1355), an Italian restaurant in the city's Fishtown section, is able to prepare celiac-friendly meals.

The ArtBar at Center City's Sonesta hotel (1800 Market St., 215-561-7500) has gluten-free sandwiches and salads for lunch, among options on the menu.

At the Franklin Institute science museum, Franklin Foodworks (271 N. 21st St., 215-448-1200) has a gluten-free menu primarily featuring salads and bunless burgers and hot dogs.

Philly.com reports that natural and organic grocer Sprouts Farmers Market will be opening stores in South Philadelphia (Broad and Washington) and the Moorestown Mall as part of a nationwide expansion. Sprouts offers hundreds of gluten-free products.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

For Your Amusement

As the area's amusement parks gear up for another season, more of them than ever are offering guests gluten-free options.

At Hersheypark, The Outpost is an entirely gluten-free and nut-free stand location in the Pioneer Frontier section. The menu includes three kinds of flatbreads, chicken Parmesan sandwiches, cheesesteaks, chicken tenders, salads, soft pretzel bites and turkey burgers. Dairy-free and vegetarian options are also available.

Hersheypark continues its outstanding handling of gluten-free requests, with the most options available at Overlook Food Court: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, pizza, fries and snacks. Pizza is also available at Founder's Way, Hollow and Boardwalk area Famous Famiglia locations; hot dogs can be found at Timber Treats and Country Grill; and chicken tenders are also at Hollow Famous Famiglia. Burgers can also be found at Founder's Kitchen, Decades, Shoreline Grill and the Spring Creek Smokehouse.

The staff is trained to handle allergen-friendly food options: when an order is placed for a specialty item, staff members will wash their hands, put on new gloves, and use all new utensils designated specifically for specialty items.