It’s suddenly dawned on me that I don’t have to be quite so organised on the food front. Family trips used to be planned like a military operation. Now, when we’re heading out, catering for everyone is a whole lot easier, especially when I’m on my own and don’t have the slightly fussy mini-coeliacs with me. This is definitely a good thing as it means more and more companies are catering for us tricky eaters.
I guess there is still a little bit of planning involved in that you have to research the places to make it easier. We do that as much as we can for you with our restaurant finder, though.
I went to London at the end of last year and knew I could get a cheeky Leon’s in King’s Cross so that meant no lunch to pack. Then I found out about Olley’s fantastic fish and chip shop. Luckily, it was a night when they do gluten free. Perfect. The only thing I brought was a bit of cereal and a single portion of Koko milk (thanks, Koko, you are a lifesaver). Oh and the essential bottle of wine.
For a recent family trip to Sheffield, I found the brilliant Nourish, where we ate lunch, and my husband found the restaurant, Ego. Both were gorgeous and didn’t make us feel awkward at all. I am currently working on getting them on our site.
We rang Novotel prior to our visit to ask about breakfast and they cooked a brekkie for me and the kids separately, to ensure there was no cross-contamination. We had bacon, eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes and they also brought out a gluten-free roll.
We then met my BFFF (see this blog) for lunch at Las Iguanas, which again was brilliant catering for all of us tricky eaters (despite the chef being ill). Yes, I know, I think we put on a few pounds that weekend. All in the aid of research for Safer Eating, though. Honest!
By Karen Woodford – one very hungry coeliac