Giorgio Locatelli is challenging fellow chefs to create a gluten-free dish this month as part of a campaign to improve menu choices for people with coeliac disease.
Coeliac UK’s Food Without Fear campaign, launched today, aims to increase the number of gluten-free dishes offered in restaurants for the estimated 660,000 coeliacs in the UK.
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease which can only be treated by the sufferer eating a gluten-free diet. Even the smallest trace of gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye and barley – can cause the sufferer to become seriously unwell.
According to a survey of Coeliac UK members, 67 per cent said they were less likely to eat out after they had been diagnosed with the disease, because it is difficult to find gluten-free options.
Coeliac UK said restaurants were failing to see the commercial potential of this market segment because the need for gluten-free options drives the eating-out habits of the family and friends of those with coeliac disease too.
Locatelli, who is helping to front the campaign added: “Eating out should be a pleasure, but can be such a minefield for people with coeliac disease, and I hope that more chefs will learn and understand the ease it can be to provide tasty, interesting gluten-free options on their menus.”
To enter the competition chefs will need to design a gluten-free starter, main course or dessert and send their entry to Coeliac UK by May 31. Winning recipes will be printed in Coeliac UK`s magazine Crossed Grain with winners given publicity by the charity.
For more information about the competition and for an entry form, click here