Byron Bay White Choc Chunk and Macadamia Nut Cookies

When you open the packet you can really smell the delicious white chocolate and cookie dough aroma. If you aren't a fan of white chocolate, then this isn't the Bryon Bay cookie for you, but luckily I adore the stuff so this is a taste sensation.

The flavour of the macadamias follow through after the chocolate and they give the cookie a lovely texture. I did find this flavour slightly messier than others I've tried, but the taste is so good that the crumbs don't matter. This is a rich chocolatly taste that has a creamy edge, utterly indulgent and truly delicious!

White Choc Chunk and Macadamia Nut was the very first Byron Bay cookie I tried and since then, I've been converted to the thought that out of all the gluten free cookies I've tried in the 2 plus years I've been an a coeliac on a gluten free diet, Byron Bay Cookies are the best flavours I've had to date.

Byron Bay Strawberry and Clotted Cream Cookie With White Choc Chunks

What you have to understand about my absolute love of these cookies is that my favourite time of the year is and has always been, Wimbledon fortnight. What does tennis have to do with these cookies? Strawberries and cream, that's the signature Wimbledon food to indulge in while you're there, it's terribly English chaps! These cookies are so Wimbledon they should be the official snack!

These cookies made me think of Wimbledon as soon as I opened the packet, it's a sweet but not sickly, creamy smell that I could only dream of my home smelling of on a permanent basis! Actually, I'd like to smell of these cookies, they're so fragrant and fresh.

Byron Bay Cookies Rock!

About 5 weeks ago I discovered Byron Bay Cookies by accident. At this time I began a month long stretch of being a daily hospital visitor as I had a parent who was quite sick. Due to being a coeliac, I was having trouble finding anything to eat on the go, but during one of my early, daily trips to a small Sainsburys, I saw something in the tiny free from section that caught my eye: Byron Bay White Choc Chunk and Macadamia Nut Cookies.

What The BBC Have To Say About Anthony Demetre's Saturday Kitchen Comments

This is the email response to my complaint to the BBC about Anthony Demetre's comments:

Dear Miss -

Thank you for contacting us regarding the BBC One programme ‘Saturday Kitchen’ broadcast on 9 April.

We understand you were unhappy with the comments made by Anthony Demetre about his eating habits even though he has been diagnosed with Coeliac disease.

Anthony is a diagnosed coeliac and his children have shown signs of wheat intolerance. He therefore cooked a dish that was without gluten as it is something he has always been keen to support within his restaurant business.

In discussing his eating habits Anthony was expressing his own personal way of coping with the condition and at no point did he advocate it as a diet that others should try. He accepts that maybe his choice of words could have been better judged but at no point did he intend to anger people and he is perfectly entitled to control his eating in any way he deems right for him. However, he apologises should anyone have been offended or upset by his words but he will continue to serve and cook gluten free food, something that is very unusual in the world of professional chefs.

'Saturday Kitchen' highlights a range of different culinary style and foods. We always strive to provide recipes that are suitable for all diets and we will continue to do so.

We would like to assure you that your concerns were raised with the ‘Saturday Kitchen’ production and registered on our audience log. This is the internal report of audience feedback which we compile daily for all programme makers and commissioning executives within the BBC, and also their senior management.

Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.

Kind Regards

BBC Audience Services

www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

His personal way of coping with the condition is DANGEROUS. Sure he may not be telling others to do the same but just by saying it, he is implying that it is ok to do so. I have no interest in how Anthony Demetre feels after eating gluten, all I know is that back when I first found out I was a coeliac, I may have heard those words and thought to myself that I too could have a diet that did indeed include gluten. That simply is not the case.

This goes to show just how little is known about coeliac disease and it makes me seethe.

Anthony Demetre's Comments On Saturday Kitchen

See the video below for Anthony Demetre's comments on being a coeliac and his 'gluten free' diet.

I'm sick of this illness not being taken seriously by people, especially in the food industry (some, not all).

The awareness of coeliac disease is laughable and that video goes to show that.

If you're a coeliac, or close to someone who is, I implore you to complain to the bbc about the dangerous comments made by this professional chef. Someone newly diagnosed or a child with coeliac disease could take what Anthony Demetre said and follow suit. It's plain and simple DANGEROUS.

Make your voice heard: BBC Complaints

Anthony Demetre - Coeliac Chef Without A Clue

Well done the BBC for having such an ill informed coeliac chef making a gluten free dish on Saturday Kitchen.

"I mean... I, I go on this diet with absolutely no gluten for about three months, and uh; and then for two weeks I just eat as much pasta and pizza as I can get hold of. Because I can't cut it out completely, fully because the body just rejects it when you do have it”

He also says he's "100% coeliac".

There's no % when it comes to coeliac, you're either cursed with it or you aren't.

He's no Damian Cardone, but he's a prize twit who shouldn't be allowed to give any kind of advice on TV about being a coeliac or how to manage it.

If you're a coeliac, you don't eat gluten, ever, end of story. If you choose to do so, then good luck with that, just don't make it sound ok for other coeliacs to do so.

The Damian Cardone Gluten Free Saga

It's people like TheGFreeShow who will eventually make life much easier for all coeliacs / celiacs out there.

So good to see what's happening on Twitter about this.

Damian Cardone A Chef With A Difference

The following quote has been taken from chef Damian Cardone's Facebook page:

Gluten free is bullshit!! Flour and bread have been a staple of life for thousands, THOUSANDS of years. People who claim to be gluten intolorent dont realize that its all in there disturbed liitle heads. People ask me for gluten free pasta in my restaurant all the time, I tell em sure, Then I serve serve em our pasta, Which I make from scratch with high gluten flour. And you know what? nothing, NOTHING! ever happens! People leave talking about how good they feel gluten free and guess what, They just had a full dose! Idiots!

Link

I don't know who this imbecile is, but I know that he's a chef serving supposedly GLUTEN FREE FOOD.

If you're on Twitter, make sure you #damiancardone and RT that link.

Gluten Free Easter Eggs!

Dairy free, gluten free, wheat free, egg free and suitable for vegans. That's what the product description says. Moo Free Easter eggs are Coeliac friendly!

An all round winner in my book! It may be a little early to be thinking about Easter, but planning is always good if you're a coeliac.

Gluten free Easter eggs all round!

EDIT: Since posting this there has thankfully been more gluten free Easter eggs made available, continue reading to see a full list of yum!

Best Gluten Free Yogurt Ever!

 This weekend I had the pleasure of sampling the new limited edition Yeo Valley organic yogurt flavour: Mango and Vanilla.

It's beyond delicious! Everything about this yogurt is a delight, the flavour is amazing. Needless to say that the 450g pot got devoured over 2 days and I'm left wanting (lots) more.

If you're familiar with Yeo Valley yogurts you'll know that there's a recipe on the cardboard outer of the pot. This one is for Baked Mango and Vanilla Cheesecake and it's definitely being turned into one of my coeliac recipes (they use regular flour in their recipe, yuck! Also, ginger biscuits, but I have a gluten free alternative in my cupboard). Can't wait to try it!