Today I attended the Allergy and Free From Show for the first time. I knew it would be packed with stalls offering untold amounts of gluten-free options, but I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.
I walked into the hall, eagerly anticipating the gluten-free world that would appear before my eyes, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find it was even bigger (and better) than I had imagined it to be!
Practically every stall was offering gluten-free tasters and, although I haven’t eaten lunch or dinner today, I am most definitely not hungry. I have loads of bags filled with gluten-free goodies I purchased, and plenty that I received for free! Yes, there were stalls handing out freebies!
There were a lot of free from brands I know well and a variety of brands I had never heard of until today…but I fully intend for those brands to regularly feature in my shopping baskets from now on.
I’ve sampled (and bought) a huge variety of free from foods, ranging from raisins flavoured like coca cola (yes, seriously…and they’re amazing) to gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free crisps.
There were also loads of free from “lectures” – not your typical academic type lecture though, these were a series of talks given by industry experts explaining how to make living gluten-free easier, and how to keep your diet healthy. There were even cooking demonstrations throughout the day, and I’m on my way home now getting excited about all of the new recipes I’d like to try out.
Image credit: www.allergyshow.co.uk
The Allergy and Free From Show is on until Sunday evening and, although I only allowed myself today for it, I would recommend that you set aside two days to go. I rushed around from when it opened until it closed and still didn’t manage to see everything I had hoped to.
If however, you are like me and only able to make one day, get there early and be prepared to walk all day. There are plenty of things you need to see!
So, is it worth going?
I’ve had a fantastic day at the Allergy and Free From Show! If you’re thinking “I don’t need to go, I’ve been gluten-free for years, there’s nothing new for me to find out.” GO! I’ve been gluten-free for about a year and a half and as someone who writes about being gluten-free, I already knew a lot about the subject, but I learnt plenty of new things today.
Whether you’re new to being gluten-free, or consider yourself a “gluten-free veteran”, the Allergy and Free From Show is definitely worth your time…and it won’t even cost you anything to get in!
Click here for your FREE tickets!
You get the added bonus of the V Delicious, Love Natural, Love Organic and The Back Pain Show 2014 exhibiting at the same time, so there is absolutely no chance of you not finding something that catches your attention.
Top tip: Head over to the back pain show for a choice of free massages. It was well-appreciated after walking around the stalls all day.
Get your walking shoes on – I’d recommend taking a big shopper bag for all of your gluten-free goodies, and head over to the Olympia in Kensington.
Read more posts about being gluten-free:
I was there too and thought it was great. Huge mix of people and products!
It was fab! I’m looking forward to next year already! Did you get many goodies? 🙂