The weekend of 22nd June saw me heading down to London to visit The Allergy Free Show at Olympia. Tickets were free, and I thought it might be a good opportunity to check out some other bakers, and maybe get some ideas for new suppliers. Perhaps I would even solve my on-going egg substitute challenge!
In truth, I don't think I was exactly the 'target audience' for the event. In the main, it was 'end products' which were on display, rather than ingredients which is what I was hoping for. Not that I have anything against them, but 'Freee' seem to monopolise the market in gluten free baking supplies - but I did buy their new baking book, so all was not lost (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a new cookery book!).
I did speak to a very nice lady who has a company which make sprinkles that are gluten free and vegan, and believe it or not that is something I really struggle to find. Most include wheat, shellac or bees wax, so I often fall at the last hurdle of cake adornment. Hoping to get some samples from her soon...I shall keep you posted!
We tried a fair few samples (some of which we very much regretted sampling it has to be said), I met a few other GF bakers, to which I felt I compared pretty favourably in terms of cost and presentation (just need to work on volume to compete), and we came away with the view that GF bread still has a way to go!
Added bonus No.1 to the day...we took a stroll through Regents Park to Notting Hill and visited the awesome 'Books for Cooks' shop...and bought ANOTHER cookery book!!! Vegan Baking Made Easy - I have yet to be the judge of that but maybe this will answer the egg question!
Added bonus No.2...met my eldest son and couple of his mates for lunch outside a sunny pub in Westminster.
So all in all, I would rate the The Allergy Show as a 4/10, but the day was 10/10 when you take into account one off-spring and two baking books. Win. xx