Oakville - Voila Gluten Free Bakeree

Imagine a place where you can browse the shelves and choose from pizza, samosas, eclairs, muffins, cupcakes, bagels, buns, bread, tarts, brownies, Nanaimo bars and tons more...

Sounds like a dream, right?

Have I made you think back to your gluten-filled days?

This is a reality once again.

Voila! Gluten Free Bakeree
22 Lakeshore West, Unit 6
Oakville, Ontario
L6K 1C5
(289) 837-0110

At Voila! Gluten Free Bakeree, nothing is impossible.  Everything is gluten-free and fresh!  And more importantly... you don't have to spend hours of your time reading ingredient lists and trying to figure out what's safe or not.  Bonus - many items are also dairy-free and/or vegan!

Small warning - they do use pure, uncontaminated (gluten-free) oats in some of the products.  If you are sensitive to even gluten-free oats, just make sure you read the ingredients.  If you have any questions, their amazing staff is more than willing to help you make the right decision.

I was lucky enough to get my birthday cake at Voila! this year.  mmm delicious custom-made gluten-free cake with no chance of cross-contamination!  Never thought I'd see the day!

Voila! - Birthday Cake

Here are some pictures I snapped on my recent visit... Enjoy!

Voila! - GF display

Voila! - GF display

Voila! - GF breads, bagels, buns and more!

Voila! - GF tarts

Voila! - GF muffins

Voila! - GF Eclairs (dairy-free too)

Voila! - GF cupcakes

Voila! - GF carrot cake

Don't forget to stop in on Fridays - it's their Pizza Day!  You may be lucky enough to grab a leftover pizza on a Saturday but why take the risk? Go on Friday!

Voila! - GF pizza

I wish I lived closer... actually... maybe it's a good thing I don't.  It's nice to have a treat every now and then but I don't think my waistline would appreciate brownies and cake every day :)

Gluten-Free Options at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Festival

Toronto has got to be one of the best places to live for a gluten-free vegetarian like me.

CN Tower in Toronto

It's like everywhere I look there are gluten-free baked goods and gluten-free vegetarian foods.  Many are also vegan, so no dairy, eggs or gelatin.

On Sunday September 11, 2011 I took the opportunity to check out the Toronto Vegetarian Festival at the Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto.  This festival is the largest of its kind in North America and it is a great chance to gather information and see what's new in the vegetarian world.

I visit just about every year and the gluten-free options and gluten-free awareness seems to grow with every festival.

I would like to apologize in advance for the quality of some of the pictures.  The festival was really busy and I had to snap the pictures when there was a gap in the crowd.

Front Door Organics

Fresh organic produce delivered right to your door!  They also offer some gluten-free packaged food.

Front Door Organics

Bloomer's Bakery

They offered these gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.  I wasn't sure of their cross-contamination policies so I continued on my way.

Bloomer's Bakery

Sweets from the Earth

This vegan bakery offers GF baked goods from their dedicated gluten-free facility.  Gluten-free options include the Flourless Cashew Cookie, Peppermint Nanaimo Bars, Espresso Cheesecake, Walnut Brownie, Chocolate Pecan Caramel Bar and more.  They also just introduced NEW GF Chocolate Chip Cookies and GF Biscotti!

Sweets from the Earth

Sweets from the Earth

Bunner's Bakeshop

Bunner's is a vegan gluten-free bakeshop on Dundas in Toronto in the Junction.  All baked goods are gluten-free, dairy & egg-free, soy free and free of refined sugar. 

Bunner's

Bunner's

New Moon Kitchen

Free of refined sugar, gluten, eggs, dairy and soy, these vegan coconut cookies put other cookies to shame.  The Mackies are the only flavour that is gluten-free.  They are made on separate trays on different days than the company's spelt cookies.  (Reminder: spelt is NOT gluten-free)

The Bean Ladies

Products include soups, soybean snacks, appetizers, chili, side dishes and desserts made from beans. (Yes, you read that right.)  Almost all products from The Bean Ladies are gluten-free - only a handful are not.  Read packages carefully.  All GF products are labelled accordingly.

The Bean Ladies

GoBIO

Organic gluten-free custard mix, pudding mix, bouillon cubes and gummy candy. 

GoBIO

Beanitos

Think you can't have chips or tortilla chips because you're gluten-free, corn-free, potato-free and soy-free?  Think again.  Beanitos are free of the above, plus they are packed with protein, fiber and omegas and are low glycemic. Available in four flavours.

Beanitos

Rasm

These heat-and-serve meals from Rasm are easy to prepare and taste great - as long as you can handle the heat!

Rasm Indian Food

Hemp Bliss

This vegan, gluten-free milk alternative from Manitoba Harvest is a good source of omegas and protein and it's available in four different flavours.  The set up was great.  It was super busy and it took about 5 minutes for me to grab this (blurry) shot between taste-testers.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Bliss

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts

Hemp hearts are super easy to sprinkle on your salads, cereal and yogurt to increase your protein and omegas.  Organic option (green package) available, too.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts

Tonica Kombucha

Kombucha contains natural probiotics, enzymes, amino acids and B vitamins.  It has been said to increase energy levels, promote liver cleansing, increase metabolism and balance sugar levels.  It's like a Celiac's dream.

Tonica Kombucha

Prana

Prana offers a wide range of gluten-free organic raw, sweet or savoury nuts and dried fruit. 

Prana Organic Nuts and Dried Fruit

Quinola

This product can be used in place of granola in your favourite recipes.  You can also put it on top of yogurt, fruit or desserts.

Quinola

Mediterranean Garden Pasta Sauces

These all natural, non-GMO pasta sauces have no added salt, sugar, preservatives, trans fats or additives.  They contain only real ingredients that you can pronounce.  It's the closest you'll find to a fresh, homemade pasta sauce in an authentic Italian restaurant.

Two Girls Cooking

Raw, organic, gluten-free and vegan vegetable-based snacks and kale chips.  Developed by holistic nutritionists, the products are high in fiber, enzymes, vitamins and minerals and have no added sugar.

Two Girls Cooking

Earth Balance

If you're looking for a gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan alternative to butter or margarine, look no further.  

Earth Balance has got you covered.  To sway your decision, their products are also cholesterol-free and free of trans fats.

They make different varieties of buttery spread (minus the dairy) which can be used for spreading, baking, frying and more as well as vegan shortening.

Earth Balance

LPK's Culinary Groove

And last but not least, (in fact, I think I saved the best for last) LPK's offers a huge range of gluten-free and vegan treats.  Nanaimo bars, mini cupcakes, donuts holes ("Timbits") and my personal fave - gluten-free, vegan ice cream sandwiches!

LPK's Culinary Groove

LPK's Culinary Groove

LPK's Culinary Groove