The Real Food Cafe freshly made coeliac uk accredited gluten free fish n chips on a table outside
07.05.2025

Making a Real Difference to our Customers with Coeliac Disease

Each May, Coeliac Awareness Month reminds us just how vital safe, inclusive dining is for the 1 in 100 people in the UK living with coeliac disease.

For those navigating this lifelong autoimmune condition, eating out can be daunting—but we’ve long been committed to making it joyful, delicious, and, above all, safe.

This month, we're proud to have been featured in two fantastic articles highlighting our work in gluten-free dining: one by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) and another by KFE Ltd. Both pieces explore our journey, the safety standards we uphold, and why our gluten-free fish and chips have become a national destination.

Serving Gluten Free Food Since 2007

We’ve been serving gluten-free fish and chips since 2007—what started as a heartfelt gesture for a coeliac family member has grown into a cornerstone of our business.

As our owner Sarah Heward shared with KFE: “My cousin is a coeliac and I felt sorry for him because he couldn’t really eat out anywhere in those days... So I said to him, I’m going to make gluten free fish and chips.”

Back then, commercial gluten-free batter didn’t exist, so we created our own using gram flour, and implemented dedicated fryers to avoid cross-contamination. Our approach has always been all or nothing—because anything less than full commitment simply isn’t safe.

The Real Food Cafe Is A-grade Accredited by Coeliac UK

Today, we proudly hold an A-grade accreditation from Coeliac UK, which we've maintained for over 8 years.

Every member of our team completes annual training, and our kitchen includes:

  • A separate gluten-free fryer (a high-efficiency Kiremko frying range with a dedicated gluten-free pan and filtration system)
  • Dedicated storage
  • Utensils, aprons and fridge space
  • Meticulous labelling and clear communication

Customers Travel Hundreds Miles for Gluten Free Food

t’s not uncommon for our customers with coeliac disease to travel hundreds of miles to eat at The Real Food Cafe.

graphic with testimonials about The Real Food Cafe's in Tendrum gluten free food

Many describe their visits as emotional and joyful—some even tearful. Our mission is to make every coeliac customer feel safe, respected and valued. That means ongoing training, reliable equipment, and a team that understands why this matters.

“You’re not just making meals,” we told our team recently, “you’re making people feel seen, safe, and cared for. That’s the heart of true hospitality.”

To our coeliac customers: thank you for trusting us. Your stories, your loyalty, and your joy are the reason we do this—and will continue to.

If you're coeliac or gluten-sensitive, our gluten free menu is always available online. 

Operators thinking about going gluten-free? Sarah's advice: “Don’t do it half-heartedly. Get trained. Get equipped. And do it with integrity.”