How far would you travel for gluten free fish and chips?
Diner travels round trip of 200 miles for the Real Food Cafe’s Gluten Free Fortnight Menu
The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum has announced the return of Gluten Free Fortnight today, Thursday 11th October, putting the restaurant on the map this autumn for gluten-free dining experiences in Scotland.
The biannual event sees foodies travel hundreds of miles to experience the restaurant’s gluten free menu.
Pictured: Janette Scott-Martin at The Real Food Cafe
Janette Scott-Martin is one of numerous diners who does a round trip of more than 200 miles to tuck into a portion of gluten free fish and chips during Gluten Free Fortnight.
Janette, who travels from Ayrshire to the restaurant in Tyndrum said:
“I think the first time we visited The Real Food Cafe was in 2006 when we were walking the West Highland Way. Since then, we have been many, many times. Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed as being coeliac and since then have been coming up to enjoy the restaurant’s gluten-free fish and chips.
I find the Real Food Cafe is one of the very few places where I can trust the food will gluten-free and with no danger of cross-contamination, and it is always consistently of a very high standard.
Yes, it is a long way to come but it is always worth it! The fish is always beautifully cooked and the batter delicious, always!”
Last year, The Real Food Cafe was visited by a diner who drove a round trip of 500 miles for a portion of gluten free fish and chips during Gluten Free Fortnight and came back for a second portion before the long drive home.
This month’s event will run from 11th – 27th October and aims to raise awareness of coeliac disease and the range of delicious gluten-free food and drink options for diners living with coeliac disease and gluten sensitivities.
Coeliac disease affects an estimated 1 in 100 individuals worldwide, with many others actively avoiding gluten due to sensitivities or personal dietary preferences.
Gluten Free Fortnight first launched in 2019 at The Real Food Cafe in Tyndrum, an A grade Coeliac UK Accredited Caterer that has been serving gluten-free dishes since 2007.
Since then, the campaign has gained momentum and has been recognised for its success, being shortlisted for the Best Marketing Campaign award at the 2023 Cateys Awards, the ‘Oscars’ of the hospitality industry.
Sarah Heward, Owner of The Real Food Cafe said: “We are hugely excited about the return of Gluten Free Fortnight, which will be our fifth. It really is such an important opportunity to highlight the demand for more diverse, specialist
and inclusive menus and it’s something we’re proud to champion at The Real Food Cafe.”
“We started serving gluten-free menu options in 2007 and over the years we’ve seen that people will travel considerable distances to enjoy quality, safe and delicious gluten free meals. During Gluten Free Fortnight, we expand this menu to offer a wider range of choices for customers.”
“Menu highlights for October’s Gluten Free Fortnight include a Scottish Cheese and Salami Pot - a melted brie from Ballochmyle and Great Glen venison salami, salad, red onion chutney, Nairn’s GF oatcakes and chips, Macsween Haggis & Chips, McWhinney’s Sausage and Chips and of course, The Real Food Cafe’s award winning MSC Haddock and Chips with homemade tartare sauce.”
You can view The Real Food Cafe’s Gluten Free Fortnight GF Menu here and Gluten Free menu available all-year-round here.