Siena Stokes (5 years old) of South Circular Road, Dublin with Jeannette Brazel of the Irish Skin Foundation, Eddie Eriksson, chef with whole food and vegetarian restaurant, Cornucopia and Susan Doyle, Business Development Director of the Allergy and Free From Expos.
Pic: Conor McCabe Photography.
The Allergy and Free From Expo, in association with SuperValu and PureBred Gluten Free Bakery, will be taking place this Saturday and Sunday in the RDS.
The event will feature free one-to-one Advice Clinics run in association with the Asthma Society of Ireland, the Irish Skin Foundation and Anaphylaxis Ireland, where visitors can seek advice from experts on any symptoms or concerns they may have; an Expert Zone which will see specialists giving talks on the latest research around topics such as Coeliac disease, skin and respiratory allergies, and food labelling; and the Kitchen Zone, where well-known chefs and nutritionists will give cookery demonstrations, recipes and tastings. Celebrity chef and SuperValu ambassador Kevin Dundon will be telling people how to host the “Perfect Free From Dinner Party”, with six value-for-money, gluten-free meals. Representatives from Cornucopia, Blazing Salads, and Rustic Stone and Fade Street Social will also be amongst the presenters giving demonstrations of everyday options for those on a restricted diet.
Meanwhile, the Exhibition Arena will see a wide variety of free-from products and services on offer for shopping and tastings. Nearly 60 exhibitors are signed up, including Ballymaloe Foods, Kelkin, Clonakilty Blackpudding, Easy Food Magazine, Juvela, The Foods of Athenry and Keogh’s Crisps.
“We are delighted to be sponsoring The Allergy & Free From Expos”, said Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu. “In April 2013, we launched the SuperValu FreeFrom range, a selection of gluten and dairy-free products, spanning across all departments from bakery, chill, frozen and dry goods. This range continues to grow with new suppliers presenting new and innovative products on a regular basis. Since launch the range has witnessed significant growth in sales, reflecting the quality and value of the product offering. In addition, SuperValu make it easier for coeliac customers to claim tax back on gluten free products, as we now provide shoppers who hold a Real Rewards card with a Certificate of Expenditure that shows their spend in SuperValu stores on gluten-free products during the year.”
The event will run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday in the RDS. Tickets are €10 and can be booked online here. Children under 12 go free.
By Aimée Mac Leod
