cupcake, originally uploaded by QuintanaRoo.
our sister in law recently told andrea and I that she saw gluten free cupcakes at Big City Cupcakes! we were eager to find out more information, especially since gluten free cupcakes are rarely available in local bakeries. I have personally only ever bought cupcakes from the Choices Rice Bakery, although they are only a bite sized specialty item, and usually only available around Halloween (but so very very good!). I spoke to one of the store managers at Big City Cupcakes to discuss the ingredients used and gluten free handling procedures. the gluten free items, available only on friday, saturday and sunday, are mixed in separate bowls, and in a separate area of the bakery. almond flour is used as the main gluten free ingredient.however, the gluten free cupcakes are often placed on the same trays as the regular wheat based cupcakes during shipping to the stores as well as within the display cases. I mentioned to the store manager that, in my opinion, people coming to the store to purchase their gluten free (or egg and dairy free!) cupcakes recognize that Big City Cupcakes is not a dedicated gluten free facility, but not many would feel comfortable eating the cupcakes when they have clearly been in very close proximity to wheat products.
the value in the effort of making gluten free cupcakes is the ability to cater to a specialized but growing community of people. clearly, more education and awareness is needed to help others understand this importance, and not to mention the benefit of implementing some very simple policies and procedures to make your product safe for customers. we did discuss some measures Big City Cupcakes can take to separate their regular and specialty items, including placing the gluten, egg and dairy free cupcakes in separate containers.
unfortunately at this time, I cannot recommend this product to fellow celiacs or others who may have a high sensitivilty level to wheat or gluten. it does make me wonder though, if gluten free products are not handled correctly, or if there is no desire to separate the items, then who is gluten free for anyway? Robyn
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3 comments:
what a shame.... they look so good too. one wonders...is there a baker or chef out there who might really be gluten intolerant themselves? If so,then I am going to bet they would be the best company to deal with .. or restaurant to go to! Meanwhile...there seems to be such a huge education gap still with respect to true GF!
On the way home from bring the son back from Uni last night we pulled into a little strip mall out here in MR. I ran into the store to pick something up and when I returned my son pointed out a new tenant he observed while sitting in the car....a cupcake store....AND...I think it it Big City! I am going to go and check them out...of course!!!!! But now, when I go anywhere I ask...do you have GF? Then I see if I remember what you have taught me...grin! BTW. ... grocery shopping in the City yesterday netted a whole host of products for me to label read! Apparently City folk are a lot more adventurous is not only trying more products...my bane out here...but also, stocking healthy and 'specialty' items. It was fun fun fun!
So I stopped into the Big City Cupcakes place out here in MR. I think it is either still under construction or else it was not well stocked. Looked very sparse. Anyway...the fella assured me they have GF cupcakes but as you said...on the weekends only and as there is no demand I would have to probably phone ahead. He said he had four today (Saturday) 'over there' he nodded and I saw them sitting in a tray with other cupcakes...side by side. Sigh...I didn't even bother to ask about how they were baked but you have already done the research and probably they are contaminated in the kitchen already. What really gets me....and you have to live with it ... we shall see if the son is GI soon...but it is that the prices are insane! Extra for GF....sigh! But he was, in the end, very kind saying if I needed a large order ever I could give two days notice and he would make sure he would have enough on supply. So there it is....I feel like the blind leading the blind but maybe I will be able to help others learn a bit more too. It is all so very new to me...I can't really blame others for not knowing that much. HOWEVER...those who are in the food industry surely should be aware!!! Will be interested to see how your future research goes.
Ha....my word verification is 'uphill'
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