Mickey John's Pub at 48-08 Skillman Ave. Sunnyside, NY 11104
Stop by for a gluten-free beer, but call first.
718.729.9605
Hi!
My adrenals have finally recovered from the first annual gluten-free Chill & Grill BBQ I co-hosted on August 9th with Vanessa Phillips and Chef Tryg Siverson of Feel Good Foods. Mickey John's pub graciously provided us with great atmosphere and Mr. Sunshine decided to grant us with the perfect summer day! Sixty-nine people attended and there was a great mix of familiar faces, newly diagnosed ones, supportive spouses and friends, topped off with just a handful of cutie pie kids.
Every guest told us that they had a great time, loved the food, and hoped that we would have another party next year. Here are some excerpts from emails that I have received:
"Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that we had a blast at the BBQ. Great location, fantastic company, and most important of all Heather got to enjoy a real BBQ!! Thanks again for the desserts you packed for us to bring home. Keep up the good work, and we hope to see you at another get together soon."-Bob Lynn
"I just wanted to say thank you for organizing that amazing BBQ yesterday. I'm sure it was a ton or work- everything was delish, the goody bags are great and you were just so welcoming! I love going to events where we can feel completely safe that the food is completely gluten-free for my husband, and it's always a nice bonus when it's yummy for me and Georgia, too! Thanks again!"-Meegan Lawlor
"Just wanted to say thank you again for putting together a fabulous BBQ. This BBQ was just what I needed. I'm pregnant with my first child, and lately I've been having a hard time, craving things that I cannot eat. Being around other people that are in the same situation, did more for me than than you know. So I thank you again, for helping me. I look forward to more events in the future!"-Dana A. Kelly
"Thank you, the BBQ was amazing! I have been a hostess for fairly large crowds, so I know first hand all of the hard work, organization, and planning that goes into these events. I know you don't need me to tell you this, you did a stupendous job and it showed. The food was delish, and it was wonderful to attend a function without having to worry about if I could eat, what I could eat, or have to go around asking a million questions. Even my boyfriend, Larry, could not get over how great the food was..." - Diane Esposito
"I think you are the Hostess with the Mostess!" -Pee Wee Herman
"Thanks again for organizing/planning the gluten-free BBQ. I enjoyed the food immensely and meeting others with celiac disease. I'm glad that I brought my non-celiac sister along to hear what various people had to say about living with celiac disease" -Robin Fisher
Isn't that nice? Thank you all for coming! I'm glad Meegan felt like I was "welcoming" since I felt like I was running around like a crazy woman! Oh, and I have to confess that Pee Wee Herman didn't really come to the party. I just stuck that one in there for fun!
Vanessa, Tryg and I would like to give a big Thank You to all of the companies that contributed to the success of our BBQ with their generous donations. We were so pleasantly surprised by all of the unsolicited offers we got for gluten-free foods just after announcing our event. We had the perfect amount of food for everyone to take home extra of most items along with really fun goody bags.
THANK YOU!
The Grainless Baker
Smoking Sloe's
Arico Foods
Shabtai Gourmet
Mary's Gone Crackers
Friedman's Deli
Lili & Loos & Lili's 57
S'MAC
Kitchen Table Bakers
Pizzabolla
Here are some more photos that I managed to take while I caught my breath. Next year I promise I'll do better!
Mickey John's adorable back patio at the beginning of the BBQ.
A view of the patio once the party really got started!
The buffet table. Take a look at the menu we made complete with a list of all ingredients.
A quick shot of someone's plate. Like I said, I was running around like a crazy woman and this unfortunately is one of the only food shots I took. Clockwise: S'Mac Mac & Cheese, Bob Renner's BBQ Chicken made by Chef Tryg, Smoking Sloe's Pulled Chicken, Chinese Dumpling from Lilli & Loo, Guss' Pickles courtesy of Friedman's Deli, potato salad and cole slaw.
Ben Cappel, organizer of the the Jersey City Celiac Disease Meetups Group, caught with his dessert plate!
JaneTrygar,The Grainless Baker, with her cute and well behaved children
Newly diagnosed and happy to find another newbie
Sue (pictured right) is the author of Gluten-Free Long Island.
There were lots of cuties at the party, but of course, The Twins got everyone's attention!
Gratuitous close-up of The Twins
Next up will be some recipes from the event.
Thanks again, Everyone!
Thanks for the photos. Yes, it was a wonderful day right down to the weather. It was great meeting other Celiacs, and I was thrilled to once again eat mac’n'cheese, along with the other great food. I think my most precious memory of the day is listening to everyone there all talking about their digestive problems – and it was OK! Where else would that be acceptable? You know I’ll be there next year, neighbor.
These photos are amazing! I heard all about this event on Facebook I think — so incredible!
Thanks so much for the BBQ, we were a little hesitant at first thinking it wasn’t exactly for children but when we sat and starting speaking with people we felt right at home. Mikey, who is the only Celiac in our family, had a great time with all of the food, ESPECIALLY the desert. Thank you for all of your hard work. I deal with Mikey’s diet everyday and know just how much you have to put into it.
Just to let everyone in on this fun cowinkidink, Mary, it turns out, lives in my neighborhood! I wish we had more time to chat at the bbq…next time!
Terry- I’m so glad your kids had fun. I thought it was sooo cute how they made friends with that sweet little toddler sitting next to them! I felt like,”Yay! Even the kiddies are connecting and having a good time!”
Thanks for your comments!