The Gluten Free World in Runcorn

There's a 100% gluten free bakery in Runcorn, Cheshire.

I recently found out there's a 100% gluten free bakery in Runcorn. Brilliant to know and somewhere for me to check out in the future.

Visit The Gluten Free World's website for more information.

17 years gluten free

Today marks my 17 year Coeliac Anniversary - my Coeliacversary.

I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease 17 years ago today. And so began my journey into the gluten free world.

What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac Disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, stressful and uncomfortable symptoms.

In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition.

Living a gluten free life

I'm still alive and kicking as I've avoided gluten (my Kryptonite) since 2008

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

My life as a Coeliac in LEGO form

While having a life-long condition such as Coeliac Disease can be a pain - and horrible if I 'get glutened' - having the disease has had some positives. I've met great people since my diagnosis and have made some brilliant friends who I've met through Coeliac groups. I've also blogged a lot about living with the condition and the great free from food and drink I've found since 2008.

Thank you to everyone for their support, tips, help and recommendations over the years. It's very much appreciated.

For more information on Coeliac Disease visit the NHS Choices and Coeliac UK websites.

Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport now has a shop!

You can now find Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport at 236 Stockport Road in Cheadle Heath, Stockport.

The team at Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport have opened a shop in Cheadle Heath, Stockport.

It's brilliant to know there's a 100% gluten free place in my town!

Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport opened their shop last month.

We first found Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport at a Worker Bee Market in Cheadle Hulme last April and have bought some superb sweets and savouries from them over the last year at other markets and events.

Check out Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport on Facebook and Instagram for more information and opening times.

I'm looking forward to seeing what bakes and treats they have available when I visit...

Yaylo - 100% gluten free in Reading

Yaylo in Reading, Berkshire is 100% gluten free.

I'm always looking out 100% gluten free places and so it was brilliant to hear about Yaylo in Reading. Many thanks to my friend - and fellow Coeliac - Katie for letting me know about the coffee shop.

It's brilliant to know there's another 100% gluten free place in the UK.

You can find Yaylo at 26 Cross Street in Reading.

Check out the Yaylo website for more information.

Whisked Away gluten free bakery opening in Stockport

There's a new gluten free bakery opening in Stockport.

I found out about a dedicated gluten free bakery opening in Stockport soon!

Whisked Away is opening at St Petersgate in Stockport town centre.

Check out the Whisked Away Facebook page for more information.

I'm looking forward to finding out more when they open.

Orbis in Stamford is 100% gluten free

We recently found out that the Orbis restaurant in Stamford, Lincolnshire is 100% gluten free.

Many thanks to our friend - and fellow Coeliac - Cat for letting us know that the Orbis restaurant in Stamford is 100% gluten free.

Take a look at the Orbis website for more information.

We're looking forward to checking it out in the future.

Happy Shopper shops on 1980s Food: The Ones We Loved & Lost

Check out the Channel 5 programme '1980s Food: The Ones We Loved & Lost'.

It was brilliant to be able to contribute to the Channel 5 documentary '1980s Food: The Ones We Loved & Lost' and help to tell the story of Happy Shopper shops.

A sign at a Happy Shopper shop in Burton upon Trent (2022)

This programme follows 'The 1980s Supermarket' that was broadcast last year, and which included a feature on Happy Shopper shops in episode 3.

A ghost sign at the old Happy Shopper shop in Ormesby St Margaret, Norfolk (2020)

You can watch both programmes via the Channel 5 website:

• 1980s Food: The Ones We Loved & Lost
• The 1980s Supermarket

Another superb meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds

A meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds - a 100% gluten free restaurant.

We had another fantastic feast at The Oxford Place in Leeds yesterday. There were some very nice additions to the menu - including Chicken Tacos and 'Caesar' Prawn Tacos!

It's brilliant that the menu is 100% gluten free.

Check out The Oxford Place website for more information.

Gluten free food from Italy

I've got lots of gluten free goodies from Italy thanks to Emily!

Gluten free (senza glutine) food from Italy

It's always nice to try different things and see what's available for Coeliacs in other countries.

It's a superb haul of senza glutine food to scoff during Coeliac UK Awareness Month.

A look at some gluten free (senza glutine) food in Italy

Here's a look at some gluten free (senza glutine) food in a supermarket in Italy.

Emily recently returned from a holiday in Sorrento, Italy and while there had a look round the shops for gluten free (senza glutine) food.

It's always interesting to see the different products available and variety on offer in other countries, as the strict 100% gluten free diet people with Coeliac Disease must follow can get tiresome!

Here's what Emily spotted at the Dodecà supermarket in Sorrento. What items would you be putting in your basket?

Take a look at this blog post with a snap of the goodies she was able to carry back in her luggage for me!

The Oxford Place in Leeds - a 100% gluten free restaurant

This month is Coeliac UK Awareness Month and I highly recommend a visit to The Oxford Place - a 100% gluten free restaurant in Leeds.

My favourite restaurant is The Oxford Place in Leeds. We try to visit as often as possible as it's one of the very few 100% gluten free places, and somewhere I feel safe dining at as I have Coeliac Disease. We last visited in January this year, and I'm looking forward to returning next month.

It's going to be superb returning and seeing what's on the menu.

We've tried so many excellent dishes there over the years. It's such a nice environment where I've been able to relax and try new food and drink.

Check out The Oxford Place's website for more information.

Find out more about Coeliac UK Awareness Month 2025 on the Coeliac UK website.

About Coeliac Disease

Coeliac Disease ('Celiac' in the USA and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In Coeliac Disease the immune system mistakes substances found inside gluten as a threat to the body and attacks them. This can trigger a number of painful, horrible, and uncomfortable symptoms.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008! It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, lifelong gluten free diet.

Yoyo Laos Sauce - gluten free sauce!

It was a brilliant surprise to bump into our friend Frazer Rhodes while at the Star Walk event at Trinity Walk in Wakefield. He was there with his classic Datsun 1500 pickup truck as part of the retro & classic vehicle and pop culture event at the shopping centre.

The Yoyo Laos Sauce Datsun 1500 Pickup Truck at the Star Walk event at Trinity Walk in Wakefield

He was also promoting Yoyo Laos Sauce - a range of sauces that are gluten free!

Me, Frazer, a bottle of Yoyo Laos Sauce and a Datsun 1500 in Wakefield

Frazer was kind to give us a bottle of the Original Yoyo Ginger Chilli Sauce and we tried some when we got home - it's delicious, and had just the right amount of heat and kick to it. It's going to be interesting trying it with a few different dishes.

We'll be getting the rest of the range too. It's brilliant when we find totally gluten free sauces as it really helps expand the types of things I can eat, as we try out new recipes and dishes.

Check out the Yoyo Laos Sauce website for more information on the range of sauces, where to purchase, and where to find the Yoyo Laos Sauce team on the road at different markets and events.

Pizza Vending Machines

A look at two pizza vending machines in Southampton and Worthing.

Let's Pizza in Southampton

Pizza Rebellion in Worthing

Have you ever used one? What was the result like?

Kebab Near Me in Bridgehall, Stockport

What a name for a takeaway!

We spotted the new Kebab Near Me takeaway in Bridgehall, Stockport over Christmas.

Bravo to the team at Kebab Near Me in Bridgehall, Stockport for selecting the name for the takeaway.

This is one way to be found!

Check out the Kebab Near Me website.

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

Another superb meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds.

We're BIG fans of The Oxford Place restaurant in Leeds. It serves excellent food and the team there do so much to make the dining experience as normal as possible for people with Coeliac Disease. It's brilliant to be able to dine at a 100% gluten free place.

We had a fantastic three course meal there for our recent wedding anniversary.

I had the Duck & Yorkies for my main - the confit duck leg is hidden behind the Yorkshire puddings and under the fried duck egg!

Check out The Oxford Place's website for more information.

Ready to tuck in!

Carozza

My dessert was the Trillionaire's Slice

A Trillionaire's Slice!

Emily had the cod dish - it was similar to the dish I had there on our last visit. It looked delicious, and Emily said it was

We can't wait for our next meal there already!

Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport

Finding a 100% gluten free market stall in Cheadle Hulme.

We found Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport at a Worker Bee Market in Cheadle Hulme yesterday.

It was brilliant to find the totally gluten free stall. I bought a Black Forest Cake and Carrot Cake - both were delicious.

A rarity for me - two freshly prepared cakes!

It's been years since I've been able to buy something on the go from a market. I occasionally see 'gluten free' items, but served next to gluten containing items, or a warning to state they have been prepared in the same environment as gluten.

Black Forest gateau is one of my favourite cakes - I can't remember the last time I had one! This one from Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport was excellent

I had no trouble with that from the Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport stall. It was nice chatting to the bakers and hearing their own gluten free story. It gave peace of mind knowing the food would be safe for me to eat. That goes a very long way in making eating food enjoyable!

I took the cakes home so I could eat them with a cake fork, as I don't get to do that often

If we'd got there earlier I could've bought some savoury items too, including a Scotch Egg. However, they'd sold out by the time we got there. I can see why as the two cakes I bought were very good indeed.

Check out Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport on Instagram and Facebook for more information.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing Gluten Free Kitchen Stockport at another market in the area soon.

Gluten free at The Oxford Place in Leeds

We had another amazing meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds last Sunday.

Pan-Fried North Sea Cod with Crushed New Potatoes, Lilliput Capers and a Prosecco and Brown Shrimp Sauce - this was one of the best things I've ever eaten

It was my first meal out since last September!

Mozzarella Carozza with a Rich Basil and Tomato Sauce - note the side order of Skinny Fries, another must have to share before the main courses

I've had some brilliant meals there before, and this was right up there with the best food I've had. Delicious.

As someone with Coeliac Disease it's always nice to be able to eat out-of-the-home with safety and peace of mind. And when that is combined with delicious and interesting food (such as the Carozza) and a variety of drink options it makes the experience absolutely marvellous.

Emily had the Tempura Battered Vegetables with Homemade Sweet Chilli Sauce for her starter

The Oxford Place is a must visit restaurant if you're a Coeliac or on a gluten free diet. I've dined there with people with Coeliac Disease as well as people on 'normal' diets and we've always been impressed by the food and service.

Emily's main course of Slow Cooked Belly Pork with Baked Apple, Celeriac Purée, Crackling and a Red Wine Jus

I'm really looking forward to my next visit already.

99.9% of the time I have the Sticky Toffee Pudding for my dessert when I'm at The Oxford Place

Check out The Oxford Place's website for more information.

Our friend had the Vanilla Cheesecake - and I nabbed a bit of the ice cream. It's so nice to be able to share meals with friend, something that is very tough for people dining gluten free, unless they're somewhere that is 100% like The Oxford Place

Robotazia - a robot-themed restaurant in Milton Keynes

On our recent trip to Milton Keynes we spotted a robot-themed restaurant in the Theatre District.

Sadly it was permanently closed.

What a concept though.

The restaurant opened in 2020 and closed earlier this year.