Celiac Market filled with gluten-free goodies

By Casey Knoll

Picky bitch Casey with a gluten free/vegan
gingerbread cookie from Earth's Oven.
Check out "Bitchez on the loose" for more pics! 

The bitchez joined approximately 600 gluten-free folks at the Celiac Market, hosted by the Calgary Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association, on Nov. 17.

It was like being a kid in a candy store – but with tasty no-wheat eats.  

“This is the biggest turnout so far,” said Kathy Collier, program coordinator at the Calgary Celiac Association. 

The Celiac Market has been running for two years. This market saw new faces, including Cookie Heaven and Crave Cupcakes.

“We love it,” said Thayre Fellows, who manned the Cookie Heaven table with dad Jim Fellows.

 “It’s so busy. We’re kind of in shock at how many people require gluten-free options.”

Cookie Heaven’s treats are made from scratch by Fellows’ mother, Donna Campeau.

“She went on a crusade to make gluten free cookies that worked,” explained Fellows, whose mother started selling her cookies at Farmer’s Markets, but began gluten free options when asked by customers.  

Crave went through countless trials to perfect their gluten free cupcakes - which they make in the morning, to avoid cross-contamination with wheat flour.

“We’ve definetley seen an increase in gluten-free customers,” said Amber Scoulding, operations manager at Crave Cupcakes.

Crave now offers gluten free brownies, and Scoulding said they're working on gluten free cookies. 

Other vendors included the Calgary Gluten Free Store, Bakery On Main, Earth’s Oven, and Gluten Free MarketPlace – which has freshly baked gluten free goodies every Thursday.

Along with other yummy eats, Giselle and I munched on pizza from Judy G Foods.  Giselle sampled their vegan option (with no cheese, topped with artichoke hearts and veggies), and I chowed down two slices of their cheese pizza.

I was pleasantly surprised – not only was the pizza delicious, but the crust was awesome. No more “hockey puck” texture or sawdust taste!

Lakeview Bakery owner Brian Hinton is a regular attendee of the Celiac Market, and was pleased with the turnout.

“I’d rate this [Celiac Market] a five star, no question,” said Hinton.

“People know they can eat anything they see and have no problems”