CeliacChicks

Gluten-Free Philadelphia: NFCA Cooking Spree Photos

Here are some photos I took at the National Foundation For Celiac Disease Awareness Cooking Spree in Philadelphia.

As you can see, there were a lot of people at the Wachovia Center that night. The TV monitor above let you easily keep tabs on the cooking competitions while you walked around and noshed on all types of gluten-free goodies. It reminded me of The Bite of Oregon, but gluten-free. And it was in Philly. Oh, and Curtis Salgado was missing. No worries though, it was a fabulous time and the food was amazing!

Imagine being able to eat everything offered to you. Top restaurants from around Philly showed off their gluten-free masterpieces. Gluten-free bakeries and purveyors abounded. It was actually a bit overwhelming...in a good way. Please forgive me for not remembering all of the restaurant names or dishes. My head was spinning due to all of the excitement in the air and the amount of choices.

I loved all of the little fancy sample dishes.

Fresh ceviche is always delicious!

Cupcakes anyone? This cupcake tower reminded me of Alice In Wonderland.

Aren't they precious?

And of course, the party wouldn't have been complete without an appearance from Shabtai Gourmet aka Cinderella Sweets and their gluten-free HoHo's. Cinderella herself insisted on this photo. My friend Alex Beauchamp is on the far left and Andrew Itzkowitz is in the middle.

I was especially excited to find out that Ciroc vodka had a table there! Did you know that Ciroc is made from grapes?! Whooo Hooo! I got a little nervous when I heard there was an ice luge, but it was just a fun way for the Ciroc girls to chill and serve the vodka. I know the picture above doesn't do the ice luge justice, but you can blame that on the al al al al al co hol.

If you live near San Francisco you can catch the next NFCA Cooking Spree coming up next Friday, October 30th. I guarantee you'll have a good time!

The Biggest Gluten-Free Party Ever

Gluten-Free Cooking Spree Brings Top Chefs, Medical Professionals, and Media Into the Kitchen to Compete for the Best Gluten-Free Dish

WHAT: The Gluten-Free Cooking Spree brings together medical and lifestyle aspects of celiac disease to educate attendees about this autoimmune disorder that affects 1 in 133 people. Over 1500 guests will enjoy gluten-free food as ten teams that consist of 25 of Philadelphia's top chefs and doctors compete to create the best gluten-free dish. Gluten-free samples and coupons will be freely distributed by 50 vendors.
 
WHY: An estimated three million Americans have celiac disease, but only 1 in every 4700 with the disease receives an accurate diagnosis. Left untreated, people with celiac disease can develop further complications such as other autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and some cancers. This event helps educate and raise awareness for the screening amongst medical professionals, children and adults.
 
WHEN: September 30, 2009
               6:30–9:00 p.m.
 
WHERE: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA.
 
HOW: To attend the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree, online RSVP is available at www.celiaccentral.org. Admission fees are $100, or $35 for students. The VIP reception is $250. Fees will be waived for media.

WHO: Alice Bast, founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, is available for interviews prior to the event, and she will join staff members at the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree to answer questions and provide materials and resources.
 
BACKGROUND: The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding for celiac disease that will advance research, education and screening amongst medical professionals, children and adults. Visit www.celiaccentral.org for more information.
 

Gluten-Free Philadelphia: Drexel University Culinary Event

DREXEL UNIVERSITY’S ACADEMIC BISTRO TO HOST

CELIAC AWARENESS EVENT

 

When: April 16, 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Academic Bistro – 33rd and Arch Streets – 6th floor

Tickets: $35

Join Drexel’s Culinary and Hospitality students and faculty for a night of gluten-free food, drinks, and desserts as you learn about the challenges of living with celiac disease. Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in wheat. The only effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet.

Local doctors will discuss health and dietary concerns related to the disease, while local chefs will pair up with students to create gluten-free hors d'oeuvres-size specialties and explain how to cook healthy and delectable dishes for those who suffer from the disease. Whole Foods gluten-free products will also be featured.

Chefs attending the event will include:

Scott Schroeder - South Philly Tavern

Mike Stollenwerk - Little Fish (voted one of the country’s top fish restaurants by Saveur, Bon Appetit and Esquire magazines)

Christina Pirello - Host of PBS's "Christina Cooks"

And more!

Drexel is a proud sponsor of the National Foundation For Celiac Awareness.

For more information, contact:

Chef Adrienne Hall
Academic Bistro Manager
Office: 101 N. 33rd St., Academic Bldg., 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: 215-895-5872
Email: academic.bistro@drexel.edu

 

Gluten-Free Pennsylvania: NFCA Dinner At Little Fish Restaurant

Every month the National Foundation For Celiac Awareness (NFCA) hosts a Meet-Up at a different restaurant to raise money and awareness for Celiac Disease. In April the event will be at Little Fish.

Little Fish Restaurant is a quaint, open kitchen, BYOB situated on the border between Queen Village and Bella Vista in South Philadelphia. Their constantly evolving menu features fresh, in season, seafood accompanied by fine local ingredients.

*NFCA guests will order from the Little Fish chalkboard menu. All dinner items will be gluten-free.*

Date: April 20, 2009

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Place: Little Fish
           600 Catharine Street
           Philadelpha, PA 19147

Phone: 215-413-3464

Executive Chef: Mike Stollenwerk

RSVP

 

Gluten-Free Philadelphia: NFCA Fundraiser Dinner At Legal Seafoods

Join the National Foundation For Celiac Disease Awarenes (NFCA) on Monday, March 23, 2009 from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM for this month's Monday Meet-Up!

We are excited to announce the 3rd NFCA Monday Meet-up, this month at Legal Sea Foods! Remember, not only will you enjoy delicious gluten-free food and great conversation, but you will be supporting a great cause as a portion of all proceeds goes to benefit the NFCA's awareness programs.

Legal Sea Foods
690 West Dekalb Pike
The Court at King of Prussia Building
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Phone: 610-265-5566

General Manager: Welles Lane
Chef: Robert Rivera

Legal Sea Foods will be doing a $50 Pre-fix menu including:

Salad or Chowder
Choice of two Entrees
Dessert
Coffee

Click here for more information and to RSVP.