News Bites: Crave Bake Shop Event – December GIG Meeting

Crave Bake Shop on Food Channel

Local gluten free bake shop, Crave, who we reviewed a year ago, wrote in to announce that they’re going to be on Cupcake Wars on the Food Channel. Let’s say for the record that they make the most amazing cupcakes in the world. Here’s the announcement they sent us:

I’m not sure if you heard, but Crave Bake Shop will be featured on the season premiere of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network this coming Tuesday (December 7th). We’re having a huge viewing party, complete with free samples of the same flavors I made for the judges, if you (or your readers) want to come down and see the show and taste some cupcakes!

The party is at Champions Sports Bar in the Marriott Hotel (waterfront): 1401 SW Naito Pkwy from 8:30-10:30 pm (the show is on from 9-10 and we’re taking over the whole place).

I don’t know who they’re up against on the show, but I pity the fools who would have to compete with Crave Bakeshop when it comes to cupcakes, gluten-free or not. If you have time on Tuesday, head down to the Marriott to lend your support!

December GIG Party

The Portland Metro GIG will not be meeting at Legacy Emanuel this month. Instead, they will be having a December holiday party at Pastini Pastaria in Tigard.

When: Saturday December 11 from 12 noon to 2pm.
Where: Bridgeport Village Pastini Pastaria
7307 SW Bridgeport Rd, Tigard OR, 97224.

They are asking that attendees RSVP with kristina.squires@gmail.com.

News Bites: The Holidays are Coming

That’s right: The holidays are coming faster than you can believe. On the great highway of life, I always feel like I spend November and December with my foot on the brake, trying to get things to slow down! On the plus side, there is a lot of gluten-free news to be had. Let’s dig in, shall we?

November GIG Meeting this Saturday

The November meeting for the Portland Metro Area Gluten Intolerance Group is this Saturday the 13th (it’s always on the second Saturday of the month). This month they’re having a potluck. Go here for more information. There is also more info here on Grain Damaged.

Gluten-Free Meet up this Saturday

This Saturday is getting more crowded. Here is an announcement we got from Karen at Dessert Labs:

We wanted to let you, and everyone else gluten free, know that we’ve started a new gluten free meet up group. It’s a chance to get together with other gluten free people to talk, share recipes and tips, and maybe go on some field trips. We’re having our first meeting on Saturday, Nov 13th. The rest of the information is here: http://www.meetup.com/Gluten-Free-PDX/

I just visited Dessert Labs last week and hope to get an article out this week about them. Later note – that article is here.

Gluten-Free Holiday Cooking Class

Enjoy delicious gluten-free holiday foods and recipes in this enjoyable and enlightening class from Jan Gagnon ND. We’ll cover gluten-free appetizers, stuffing, desserts and more, with samples included. Jan has been gluten-free since 1978 and learned lots of good tips for eating in or out.
When: Saturday 11/20/10 1:00-3:00pm
Where: at the Garden Sanctuary in Multnomah Village.
Pre-registration required and includes directions. Cost: $35.

For more info. or to register:503-593-3360 or email jgagnon940@comcast.net

Gluten-Free Products at Winco

Reader Allyson sent us information about gluten-free products now available at Winco.

I’m not sure if you guys are Winco shoppers but I thought I’d pass this information along anyway…

I was at the Winco in Tigard today and happened to be walking in their bakery section… and happened to look into one of their refrigerated dessert cases. Lo and behold, they are now carrying Udi’s gluten-free bread, bagles, muffins, and pizza crusts. I remember really enjoying the pizza crusts and bread when I was eating gluten-free. The prices looked comparable or cheaper than other stores in the area…in the upper $4 to $5 mark if I remember correctly. I know in the past, Winco has discounted the prices of new products to see what kind of interest is out there. Now might be a great time to stock up for the holidays :)

Thanksgiving Pies

So far I know of two local places to get gluten-free pies for Thanksgiving. Here they are:

New Cascadia Traditional will be offering gluten-free pies. It looks like they’ll have an apple pie, a vegan pumpkin pie, a regular pumpkin pie, and a mini pecan pie. They are taking pre-orders until Friday, November 19th for Thanksgiving week pick up: 503.546.4901.

When I talked to Dessert Labs, they mentioned that they will be supplying gluten-free pies to the Food Front Co-op on NW Thurman. It looks like you can also get them directly from Dessert Labs. More info here.
Food Front – 2375 Northwest Thurman Street, Portland – (503) 222-5658

Thanks to Everyone!

As always, thanks to everyone who emails us. I owe some emails to people and I’m sorry they’re late. Talk to you soon!

News Bite: Gluten-Free Fundraiser Cruise

As a fundraiser for the Portland GIG, Barbara Pugh of Night and Day Travel & Cruises has booked 20 cabins on an Alaska cruise on Holland America for Aug 27, 2010. If you’re curious, her contact info is below. Also , she will have a table at the Portland Food Fair which is coming on May 1. Click here for the cruise flier. More information is also available at: www.sunconnections.com.

NIGHT AND DAY TRAVEL & CRUISES
Barbara Pugh, ACC, CTA, DS
barbara@sunconnections.com
971 255-1420 or 503 703-4117