A great festival debut, a dream meeting with a foodie celebrity, and a happy tummy.Southbank, one of my favourite areas of London, was host to the inaugural ‘Free From’ Food Festival. The brainchild of Caroline Ahern, found of the Allergy Free Bakery. I think the Gluten Free Gods were smiling down on her because the weather was unseasonably mild and dry. The Xmas markets along the Thames were packed with shoppers buying colour knits, giant chocolate bars and Christmas baubles, so the ‘Free From’ stalls were attracting a lot of attention of Saturday shoppers and inquisitive tourists too.
Being the kick off to, hopefully, an annual and expanding event, it was relatively small. Probably about 20 exhibits in all. Not all were vegan but all great for those seeking an Allergy Free diet.
I missed the first demo from Rainforest Cafe (was running in and out of the Southbank halls until I discovered it was outside at the North of the building. BUT, I got to see Molly Robson from The Particular Kitchen. And she was awesome. Molly used gluten free flour, fresh cranberries, coconut milk and oil, spices, juice, zest and baking powder to bake a crumbly sweet, tart cake. It was DELICIOUS. Ahem, I ate 3 slices. Molly is an American lass, now living in the UK. She kicked her health into touch through diet and now she is a qualified nutritionist and cook.
Gwen, a wild woman with a passion for health. Her Irish Moss, roots drinks packed quite a punch. I lost her business card somewhere between there and The London Veggies drinks night in Belsize park. I did find her on Twitter @godandgwen
Hey, head full of food thoughts…I forgot this gals name (so sorry!) but she is starting up a new Food Allergy hub. ‘A recipe site for people with food preferences’. www.foodalit.com
I completely through myself into the task and sampled all the raw foods from Inspiralled. A revolutionary, canal side, raw cafe in hip and happening Camden. They sell their products from the cafe and through Goodness Direct Whole Foods London, Infinity Foods amongst others. The wasabi wheatgrass kale chips were great and the raw cakes……..wow wee!
| I meet Amy from Amy’s Kitchen. Amy’s foods saved me many a time when hosteling in the US when time or kitchen facilities were poor. I’m embarrassed to say I gushed like a fool! She was so sweet! |
And, Oh My Gosh, AMY from Amy’s Kitchen was actually there wearing the cutest hat. Amy’s Kitchen is a Californian based company started because when Amy was born, her parents wanted the best for their daughter and they couldn’t find any low fat, organic, (mostly) allergy friendly veggie/vegan products to make her grow up all gorgeous….so they created their own range of foods. So delicious were the foods they wanted to share them. I guess they worked (see exhibit A above)
It was a great festival. I met such lovely people including Pippa from The Intolerant Gourmet. She is passionate about cooking and has her exciting first book coming out in February 2012. Her diary is going to be packed with getting out and promoting her cookbook and whizzing up cooking demos. I wish her huge success with her book.
Food allergies and intolerance (of food..not things in general..hopefully) are part of our world right now. Many people may get disheartened when they are diagnosed with an allergy or health problem. This really need not be the case. I’ve yet to meet a person who has not embraced allergy free cooking and felt better than they ever thought possible because of it. Including me. I indulge myself every day and because I am always determined to adapt and create recipes that feel naughty, though they are utterly angelic and beneficial. You can too.
I am totally grateful to Caroline Aherne (@sugargrain) and all showcasing at the Free From Food Festival for proving that Allergy Free is definitely Fun Full!
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So gutted I’m missing out on loads of food festivals around this time D; Those raw cakes really do look amazing (and the first burrito I tried was an Amy’s Kitchen one!). You lucky thing ;P
@Lisa Adams-May
Lisa, I know what you mean. I loathe missing out on anything! Perhaps you can order the Inspiralled cakes online (or concoct your own..raw is super easy). As for Amy…I couldn’t believe it when they said, ‘this IS Amy!’ Wow! and she really is so sweet!