GF & AF Expo 2018 San Diego ~ My Top 15 Gluten-free Finds

Bring on the samples!  A stroll around the GF&AF Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo is comparable to the excitement people enjoy walking around Costco, taste-testing their way through the aisles, and more importantly, trying before you’re buying.  With so many gluten-free foods on the market now, it’s expensive ‘trying’ a new brand for the $7-$10, only to toss it out after the first bite because it doesn’t meet your taste buds in the delicious zone.

San Diego’s Del Mar Fairgrounds held the 2018 Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo February 10 & 11 this year.  Sharing my top 15 “Opa’s!” with you, in no particular order… products that wow’d me, and will be added to my “go to’s” on future shopping trips.   A YouTube video of my photo story link is shown at the bottom of this post.  Enjoy!

1.  I really enjoy BFree products!  With no added sugar, non GMO, wheat & gluten free, it’s an easy choice to pick up their delicious Brown Seeded Rolls, or Soft White Rolls, for a lunch or dinner party.  At last years show I was introduced to their Pita Bread, and have created some pretty great impromptu meals with them (pizza, anyone?).  Nice, friendly people enjoying a fun time at the Expo ;o).  $2 off coupons at the Expo.

2.  Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free products are a staple found at so many grocery stores.  I’m a huge fan of their brownie mix, corn bread mix, and rolled oats, among others.  They help gluten-free baking by offering such a variety of flours.  Soon I’ll be sampling their Chocolate Protein Powder.  $1 off coupons at the Expo.

3.  Schar products introduced me to their Chocolate Dipped Cookies this year ~ yum!  Wheat free, gluten free, preservative free, non GMO, and tasty!  I find Schar in Sprouts Farmers Markets in every state I visit.  The bright yellow box is a welcomed sight when I’m looking to indulge in something safe and sweet.  Generous samples at the expo.

4.  Enjoy Life always has a colorful, interactive maze at the expo entrance, with product samples integrated along the path.  It’s fun to see children excited about a food expo, and a great reminder to ‘enjoy life’!  I signed my positive wishes on the heart tree again this year – a great idea to share inspiration.  I use their Morsels when baking for a gluten-free get-together.  They’re free from gluten, wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, and soy, so those with multiple allergies still enjoy my dish.  $1.50 off coupons at the Expo.

5.  Expo guests drooled at the scents in the air, as Cook’s Gluten-Free Sourdough toasted up samples of their delicious breads.  This newly created company (2013) started when Randi Cook, a San Diego resident, missed eating sourdough bread after starting a gluten-free lifestyle.  She began making her own version with 3 flavors of the real deal:  Original Sourdough, French Sourdough, & Rosemary Sourdough.  Free from gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and commercial baker’s yeast, I’m thrilled Randi didn’t stop until she came up with these breads!  I tried them all, and bought 3!

6.  My rice chips of choice, Lundberg Family Farms, represented at the expo.  The Santa Fe Barbecue Rice Chips are my favorites, although there are approx. 18 chip varieties on their site.   Speaking of, I just found their Organic Sweet Dreams Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes shown there…  I feel the need for a taste test!

7.  Fresh pasta tastes SO MUCH better than dried pasta, agreed?  RP’s gluten-free pastas are simply delightful.  I’m happy Frazier Farms and Whole Foods carry this line in their refrigerated section.  I’d like to try their Spinach Fettuccine soon, any ideas on a creative recipe?

8.  My first exposure to MyBread Gluten Free Bakery, and the answer is Yes!  Yes, it’s flavorful.  Yes, it’s made in a 100% dedicated gluten-free and nut-free bakery.  Yes, their website shares recipes.  Yes, Sprouts Farmers Market carries the brand, among other stores found here.  Yes, very much worth trying!

9.  Mom’s Place Gluten-Free shared a huge display of product, and lots of taste-testing was consumed!  They carry flours, seasonings, cream of soup mixes, bread mixes, breakfast mixes, meal mixes, dessert mixes, quinoa pastas, licorice & cooking tools.  Certified gluten-free, made with non-GMO ingredients, and no preservatives, the products are convenient to say the least, and affordable.  I’m excited to make their carrot cake for Easter!  Bouillons and cream of soup mixes also landed in my shopping bag for future taste-tests.  Mom’s Place Gluten-Free was a great treat!

10.  I’m a bit picky with my dressings, so I was happy to taste Brianna’s Creamy Balsamic Dressing at the expo.  “Founded over 30 years ago in Austin, Texas… Brianna’s Fine Salad Dressings grew out of a desire to create a superior product with family pride and consistent high quality.”  This family-owned and operated company created 15 varieties of dressings to try, and gave all expo visitors a coupon for a free bottle.  Visit their site for colorful, unique recipes!

11.  Admittedly, the cute smiley logo and bright yellow tablecloth grabbed my attention to this product at first.  Ooh la la, the Dark Chocolate Petit Pot tasted so rich and creamy!  I’d not heard of them before ~ and ~ I’m hooked now.  Available at Whole Foods, Gelson’s Market, Lazy Acres, & Bristol Farms to name a few stores.  $1 off coupons at the Expo.

12.  2Good2B Bakery & Cafe is a consistent winner in my book.  San Diego is happy to enjoy two locations in Encinitas, CA & Rancho Bernardo, CA.  They are free of gluten, corn, soy, and offer many options also free of dairy.  Breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, paninis, entrees, and of course, desserts are offered at their locations.  My newest find is their chocolate ganache covered cupcake, with a creamy white, fluffy center ~ shown here on my Facebook blog.  15% off coupons at the Expo.

13.  “If you don’t lick your fingers, someone else will!“(R).  Another eye catching logo & tagline (hey, I’ve enjoyed a career as Creative Director for 20 years!) is Jennifer Reynolds’ Sauce Goddess.  Their products contain no gluten, MSG, or GMO ingredients.  Their sauces, spices and pepper relish are certified gluten free by the Celiac Support Association.  Jennifer’s love of “food, spice and bringing people together” has grown into a national gourmet food company.  Her 15 years in the printing industry obviously shines on her design and packaging knowledge.  Bravo, Jennifer!

14.  Brazi Bites authentic Brazilian cheese bread for “Snack Time.  Dinner Time.  Anytime!”  Free of gluten, trans-fat, sugar, and soy, you’ll enjoy a freezer-to-oven snack in minutes.  With 4 delicious flavors to choose from, try your own taste-test at your next gathering.  My fav is the Cheddar & Parmesan.  $1 coupons at the Expo.

15.  “Let Nima take the first bite”.  I’m intrigued.  Nima is a portable sensor to detect gluten and peanuts.  I included it on my list, as it’s a fantastic idea as a “companion for living a healthy, free-from lifestyle”.  They offer an app to download on your phone, allowing you to share and discover other NIMA test results around you.  Nima Gluten Sensor retails for $289, and the Nima Peanut Sensor retails for $229.  I look forward to trying this one day.

Thanks to all the participants & sponsors of the GF&AF Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo again this year.  I admire the small business owners who follow a gluten-free lifestyle, create products they love, and get their product in front of the huge gluten-free community to enjoy, too!

With so many vendor booths, I’ve shown a few more product pics in this YouTube video.

     – wendi e.  :O)