Enjoying Gluten-Free Life

Everywhere I Look I See Gluten-Free

Jen Cafferty

If you normally feel like you’re alone in a gluten-filled world, consider going to a gluten-free event. I talked with Jen Cafferty (gfreelife.com), the founder of the Gluten Free Expo, about April’s Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in Chicago. Here you’ll get to hang out with others who get it. Jen says, “When you walk into a room and see a few thousand people, you don’t feel alone anymore.”

This will be the 5th anniversary of the expo in Chicago and her sixth Expo – they did one in Dallas last year. When you enter, you’re given a tote bag from one of their sponsors and you fill it as you move from table to table at the Expo – this year there are more than 100 vendors. Most vendors are food manufacturers and will be giving out samples to taste. Jen says, “Eat your way around the vendor fair. Some are giving away full hamburgers on buns or grilled cheese sandwiches.” But dairy freers don’t need to fret; she assures us that many products are also dairy-free. Signs at each station identify the allergens in the product.

What to Expect

Cooking classes this year include: Italian & Asian Cooking, Bread Baking, Sweet Baking Treats and Healthy Living. The classes are popular and you have to register in advance for them. Jen says, “Cooking classes attract people from all over America, Canada, South America.” A cooking class ticket also gets you access to the vendor fair. After a cooking demonstration ends, you get to taste what they’ve made.

For 2012, there are more vendors than in the past, and they actually sold out on vendor spaces just before we talked. Jen says, “You have an opportunity to try hundreds and hundreds of products and figure out what you like before you buy it; find out about their facilities.” It isn’t just food either, there are skincare products, cosmetics, natural cleaning products and some organizations.

Here’s just a sample of the vendors: Against the Grain, Bakery on Main, Better Batter Flour, Bob’s Red Mill, Delight Gluten-Free Magazine, Enjoy Life, Gluten Free Living, Maggiano’s, Pacific Foods, Pamela’s, Rudi’s, Schar, Tia’s Bakery, and Udi’s.

Last year, they added a public stage with about 40 seats where Expo attendees can stop and listen to speakers. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet favorite cookbook authors and bloggers (who might actually be one of the speakers). Here are a few of the cookbook authors (most of whom also have blogs):

• Peter and Kelli Bronski – “Artisinal Gluten-Free Cooking” (new, expanded edition this year) and “Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakes”
• Hallie Klecker – “The Pure Kitchen”
• Robert Landolphi - “Quick-Fix Gluten-Free” and :Gluten Free Every Day Cookbook: More than 100 Easy and Delicious Recipes from the Gluten-Free Chef”
• Beth Hillson of “Gluten-Free Makeovers: Over 175 Recipes–from Family Favorites to Gourmet Goodies–Made Deliciously Wheat-Free” who is also the food editor of “Living Without.”

Check out this video of the Dallas Expo on their home page (about halfway down the page) to see an actual expo.

Kids Welcome

Jen’s a mom (a 7 and 9 year old) and assures parents that this is a family event. To prove it, she has a kid’s area where they can feel safe if they’re gluten-free. They’ve also added a peanut and nut free area. Kids can sample foods and be just like everyone else.

Safe Treats

Kiosks will be selling carefully prepared food for breakfast and lunch. Jen says, “We oversee it. They use products that we have approved and use good manufacturing practices. Pans are set aside for us.” When it comes to cooking class samples, Jen explains the prep: “We use a piece of huge kitchen and have our own team in the back making samples for the cooking samples with our own traveling set of equipment.” A bonus for everyone’s future is that the Expo has teamed up with culinary students who are spending time in the kitchen getting to know about gluten-free cooking. A list of local restaurants they recommend will be posted.

The entrance fee is $20 but, Jen says, “No one ever leaves saying wow that wasn’t worth it. When they leave they are so happy. You leave with a lot of food and a lot of knowledge. You feel empowered.”

Chicago’s Expo is the weekend of April 14 and 15. The next Dallas Expo is September 8 and 9. They also plan to have expos in other locations in the future. Check out their website for more info.

(images used with permission)