Many of the hottest and newest gluten-free foods, including products from more than 20 local vendors, will fill the exhibit hall at the Durham Convention Center in Marriott Center City on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event.
Organized by ECHO Event Solutions (ECHO), the event is sponsored by Udi’s Gluten Free, Glutino Food Group, Enjoy Life Foods, Bone Suckin’ Sauce, Earth Family, Gluten-Free Buyer’s Guide, Moon Rabbit Foods, and Earth Fare. This is the second year for the gluten-free event in Raleigh/Durham, and a crowd of more than 1,000 is expected to attend.
The event is open to the community, and it caters to those who avoid multiple allergens, such as gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, grains, etc. Admission is $10 per adult; kids 13 and under are free, and college students receive $3 off admission with student identification. Those who purchase their tickets online are automatically entered into a drawing for a gift basket from one of the event’s sponsors.
Sampling of gluten-free/allergen-free foods begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. with guest speakers and cooking demonstrations rounding out the day. Products will also be available for sale, so attendees should come prepared to take advantage of show prices.
The event features lectures from Captain B. Donald Andrasik, author of Gluten Free in Afghanistan, Eric DeBerry of Moon Rabbit Foods, Brandy Wendler, Lisa Stimmer, Certified Gluten Practitioner, Certified Natural Gourmet Chef, and Certified Nutritionist, and Debbie Jongkind, registered dietitian.
Cooking demonstrations are still being scheduled, but one will be taught by Chef Tracey Bloom of FreeCuisine, Betsy Templeton of Golden Beet Wellness, Wendy Perry, and Ryanna Battiste of GRUB.
2013 vendors from the Raleigh/Durham area include but are not limited to: Bells Monica Flatbread Company, Bone Suckin’ Sauce, Daisy Cakes, Kalo Foods, The Celiac Cakery, Tonya’s Cookie Company, and Virtuous Living.
National vendors attending the event include but are not limited to: Against the Grain Gourmet, Bakery on Main, Earth Balance, Kinnikinnick Foods, Living Without Magazine, Luce’s Gluten-Free Artisan Bread, New Planet Beer, Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery, and Simply Gluten Free Magazine. A complete list of participating vendors can be found on their website.
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