A COELIAC for almost two decades, Gai Benton has become an expert in the field of gluten-free fare.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With only a small range of gluten-free products available when she was diagnosed 19 years ago, Ms Benton learnt to make her own savouries and sweet treats.
“Nothing was labelled back then,” she said.
“The doctor told me you can’t have bread and cake so I went straight to the supermarket and bought egg noddles, which turned out I couldn’t have either. It was mind-blowing!”
Ms Benton developed a large repertoire of homemade gluten-free products.
Having worked in office administration at DSI at Lavington for 14 years until it closed in October 2014, Ms Benton needed a new direction.
Together with daughter Rebecca, she opened Truly Free Cafe and Bakehouse at Lavington in May.
“I always thought in the back of my mind I would do something to help other coeliacs,” she said.
“I’ve done 14 months of research, experimentation and practice before I opened the cafe and bakery with my daughter.”
Ms Benton said coeliacs often missed out on simple pleasures like a sandwich made from freshly-baked bread.
“People who don’t have a food intolerance don’t understand how good it is to have a fresh sandwich,” she said.
The cafe offers bread, rolls, cupcakes, brownies, risotto and soup.
What's your favourite dish?
Anything with fresh salmon in it.
What are the staples in your pantry?
Herbs and spices, rice, capers, onions, canned tomatoes, pasta (all gluten-free, of course).
What's your secret vice?
My GF Lemon Meringue Pie.
What is your recipe standby?
Chicken in a creamy caper, mustard and tarragon sauce.
What is your most unforgettable meal and where?
A tasting plate of pearl meat, crocodile, barramundi, kangaroo and camel at Cable Beach in Broome at sunset.
What's your favourite cooking utensil?
My Le Creuset cast iron wok
What's in your kitchen toolkit?
Essentials are my pressure cooker and George Foreman Roaster.
What did you have for dinner last night?
Fresh salmon with creamy caper herb sauce served with green beans.
Details:
Truly Free Cafe and Bakehouse,
4/919 Mate Street, North Albury
Phone: (02) 6025 8613
