Melbourne is the foodie capital of Australia and for good reason. It is known for its laneway cafes and historic arcades full of bespoke foodie outlets and shopping gems. But, I have to say, I was quite surprised to discover it more than lives up to this reputation on the gluten free foodie front as well. I honestly had NO IDEA there were simply so many amazing gluten free venues to be explored down there. I am now officially in love with Melbourne. Yes I did know Melbourne/Victoria is the best behaved city/state in Australia regarding seeking Coeliac Aus official endorsement (well done Melbo ..read more

We all know one. We all secretly envy them…or, you know, hate them. The Asymptomatic Coeliac. They waltz through life NOT having bloating, or tummy cramps, or IBS, or hideous skin rashes. They just go ‘oops! Oh no, I accidentally ate gluten’. Whether they feel really really bad about this, or just a little bit bad, or don’t care at all because they just enjoyed hot chips from a shared fryer so life couldn’t be better really…it still does not seem fair and so we (the collective symptomatic coeliac community) feel the need to bring them down a peg or two and let them know, very compassionately ..read more

With an estimated 80% of coeliacs UNDIAGNOSED in Australia, it is important to raise awareness of the many ways coeliac disease can manifest itself. Most know of course the obvious symptoms…the ones that end up awkwardly being spoken about when informing someone you have coeliac disease…conversations that often go something like this… Oh no sorry I can’t eat that, I have coeliac disease, so I can’t eat any gluten. Oh really, what happens if you eat gluten? Well, I usually get an upset tummy, IBS symptoms, feel nauseous and really bloated. And then I might just feel like I’ve been hit by a bus ..read more

The gluten free community is apparently a growing concern. When I was diagnosed as a coeliac 17 years ago we were still somewhat grouped together with alternate foodies who were assumed to border on hippy tendencies. In fact, in the spirit of full disclosure, prior to my actual diagnosis, I was one of the cynics. The thought ‘you are just being really annoying and surely you can eat some of this’ may have been entertained. So bad I know. Even after diagnosis, I remember thinking somewhat negative thoughts towards a fellow coeliac who asked at a BBQ for her sausages to be cooked prior to the ot ..read more

A favourite Mediterranean inspired gluten free cake created by author & recipe developer Sophie Stokes from www.insofiaskitchen.com.au  Ingredients 3 cups almond meal ½ cup gluten free plain flour ½ cup caster sugar ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed 125g unsalted butter, softened 1 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg ½ cup pistachios, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon icing sugar Method Preheat oven to 180*C. Grease and line with baking paper an 8” spring form baking tin. In a large bowl, combine almond meal, flour, sugars, butter and salt ..read more