We just returned from the Natural Food Show in Boston, Expo East, and I just had to share my dining experiences in that great town with our readers.

First, I’ll start with the show itself. For those that are unfamiliar with the show, the Natural Food Show is a trade show for manufacturers, distributors and all others who work in the natural food trade. The show includes food, beauty products, vitamins and supplements and even pet food. We have attended this show for the last three years and it is amazing to see how ‘gluten-free’ has gradually evolved to practically dominate the show. There are now an abundance of food manufacturers who either specifically produce gluten-free food or who now advertise that their products are gluten-free.

It is so wonderful to see the awareness of ‘gluten-free’ at such a heightened level! Keep in mind that this show specifically caters to natural food but never fear, conventional stores are rapidly catching up. Whole Foods and other natural food stores, as was once the case with organics, have led the way in carrying gluten-free food items but now many large mass oriented grocery stores are adding their own ‘natural food ‘ sections or are making plans to include gluten-free items in their stores. It truly is a great time to be gluten-free!

We were in Boston for a week so I had the opportunity to dine at several restaurants. The majority of restaurants we ate at even had gluten-free menus; Maggianos (I had the chicken mushroom pasta), Unos (I had pepperoni pizza and beer-I ate there twice!), Legal Seafood (seafood risotto) and many others that did not have gluten-free menus but whose staff’s were very aware of gluten and very accommodating in menu choices.

Boston itself is a very progressive city with a large medical presence, so it’s probably not that surprising that they would also be progressive in offering gluten-free meals at many of their restaurants.

My hats off to the great city of Boston, a beautiful city, historically rich and deliciously gluten-free!

- Chef Yvonne

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