Coeliac UK North Hants - April 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to our spring newsletter!
It has been lovely to see so many group members over the last few months at the dietitian’s question and answer session and our coffee mornings. We were especially pleased to meet some recently diagnosed people and introduce them to the group. We hope to see you all again at our next coffee morning.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading about Tom’s culinary experiences on his recent cruise, Keith’s restaurant recommendation and Margaret’s baking efforts!
We are always keen to hear from our group members, new and old, so please get in touch either on email northhampshire@coeliac.org.uk or Facebook (Coeliac UK North Hampshire Local Group). Also, don’t forget to check out our local group page on the Coeliac UK website which has up to date information about the group and any events we have planned.
Lesley, Gemma, Carol, Faye, Margaret, Tom and Keith
Coffee Morning Saturday 14th May
Our coffee mornings over the last few months have been a great chance to meet other group members and have a catch-up. The next one is on Saturday 14th May so come and join us at Waitrose café in Basingstoke any time between 10.30 and 12.
No need to sign up. We look forward to seeing you.
Review of Virtual Dietician’s Q&A in February
Our thanks go to Laura Coxden, dietician at Basingstoke Hospital, for hosting our Virtual Dietician’s Q&A event in February. We would also like to say a big thank you to those members who sent us their questions in advance. Around 18 members attended this Zoom conference, and the presentation covered a wide variety of topics including the importance of calcium absorption in coeliac disease, what support is available for those suffering with refractory coeliac disease and how to increase children’s calorie intake. As this event has proved to be so popular, we hope to hold another Q&A sometime during 2023.
A Coeliac on the Ocean Wave
Late 2021, my wife and I decided that we would go on a cruise, something we had talked about for some time, and we decided to go with Cunard, on Queen Elizabeth, to Madeira and The Canaries, in February this year, for fourteen nights.
Naturally, as a Coeliac, I had concerns, not so much with ingredients as I was sure that the chefs Cunard employ would be conversant in all food allergies, but my main concern was cross-contamination – given there were over 700 passengers on a busy ship.
I did a little research on a few Gluten Free Facebook groups and the feedback was very positive. It was recommended that I should register that I was a Coeliac with Cunard’s Customer Contact, which I did.
Dining on board falls, broadly, into two options – a number of formal table service type restaurants and a buffet style restaurant.
The buffet restaurant offers a wide range of foods, which due to Covid restrictions, the staff place onto your plate (like most buffets you can naturally go up as much as you like). Most foods had a small plaque which said what the main ingredients were (e.g., gluten). If there was no plaque or you were unsure, there were plenty of waiters about, who appeared knowledgeable on ingredients, but if they didn’t know, they would immediately find a chef to answer your question.
Formal dining is a couple of individual restaurants, and a main restaurant. We usually ate in the main restaurant. Whilst this restaurant was open plan in design, it was organised into smaller sections, which tended to always have the same senior waiter and his/her team. These teams quickly got to know the passengers who had specific food requirements. If the main restaurant is part of your package, then, on the first sitting, you always get the same table. Later sittings are more flexible.
On the first evening, you are presented with the menu, which does have a gluten free option, but if you mention to the waiter, you are gluten free, they will try to adapt other dishes as much as they can at short notice. If you want, you can do this for the rest of the trip. A better option, if you have registered, is with your evening meal you are given a copy of the Lunch and Dinner menu, by the maître d’ for the following day. Taking this option gives you access to the full menu, with ingredients containing gluten, being replaced with suitable ones. True, choosing your menu a day in advance takes away the spontaneity of choosing, but the upside is you get all the menu options.
With lunch and dinner, you are given a gluten free roll, which is made by Schar (I’ve seen them in Sainsburys and Asda).
There are many gluten free options for breakfast, and the staff are knowledgeable and will alert you to any choice that may contain gluten (note that there seemed to be only one fryer, as the gluten free version of some dishes were baked instead).
Cunard is also famous for afternoon tea. When the waiter comes around, just ask for gluten free and someone will get you a selection, which includes sandwiches, a scone, with clotted cream jam and butter, and pastries.
Cunard also stock gluten free Speckled Hen if beer is your choice.
Overall, it was a fantastic and safe dining experience. From talking to other passengers Cunard can cope well with other allergies as well. I really do recommend pre-boarding registration as this gives you a fantastic experience.
Restaurant Review - Wahaca, Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London SE1
While Wahaca does not have outlets in North Hampshire, those visiting London may wish to try its colourful range of Mexican dishes. There is a specific "Gluten" menu, as they call it, which helps guests make informed choices. I found them very flexible. In fact I had more choice than one friend who absolutely does not like chilli, so if you abhor even the mildest aroma, then this may not be for you,
We had tacos for starters, then I enjoyed a pork pibil main course, which included a vast amount of vegetables and rice. I need not have ordered rice as a side dish in fact. The only gluten-free dessert available on the occasion of my visit was ice cream, which, although limited, frankly was as much as I could manage in the end.
While my friends enjoyed the wine, I had an English cider. Wahaca does not sell gluten-free beer.
The staff were attentive and even returned to inform me that an original choice had a cross-contamination risk, so I changed my order. Having now visited Wahaca several times, even though it does not appear to have Coeliac UK accreditation, I have been satisfied every time.
Home made Hot Cross Buns
I love Hot Cross Buns and in my pre-coeliac days sometimes used to make my own. Unfortunately, my efforts at gluten free ones have never been very successful! I was recently given some gf buns from Jemima’s Deli in Romford and they were wonderful – so it inspired me to try again, using their recipe. I was pleased with the results but I think I need a lot more practice before I can claim that they’re as good as Jemima’s! If you fancy having a try they’re not too difficult and they’re fun to make, but you do need to allow plenty of time to let everything rise. Here’s a link to the recipe I used (with thanks to Paul Hollywood and Jemima’s Deli)
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/gluten-free-hot-cross-buns
