by Rhonda Massad
Miriam Pearl’s hard work is paying off. After years of working on her Delicious Without Gluten (DWG) culinary catering menu out of her home based kitchen she has taken the big leap and opened up a gluten free, peanut-free, nut-free, dairy-free and kosher factory located at 90-E boulevard Brunswick corner Tecumseh in Dollard-Des-Ormeaux.
After realizing that her first child had a severe peanut allergy, Miriam opened a kosher peanut-free bakery. There she learned how to develop recipes and create tasty treats in a commercial setting. After 2 years in business, both of Miriam’s children were diagnosed with celiac disease. Out of necessity, she went back to the kitchen “drawing board” to learn how to bake and cook gluten-free, which is how DWG was born.
DWG quickly took off from private orders and catering to filling shelves in local health food stores and has now outgrown her home kitchen.
“Can you count how many times you have purchased a gluten-free baked good to come home to try it and really not like it?” she questioned during a recent interview. “That is why I am holding the Try and Buy event on Sunday, November 8 from 9:30-4 p.m. This will give a chance for people to try my products for free.”
DWG is not a retail store, but will be selling their goods to stores, restaurants, camps, schools, caterers and convention centres so that all can benefit.
According to Pearl, almost one third of Canadians (10 million) are looking for gluten-free products. This includes about 2.5 million Canadians requiring gluten-free products for medical reasons. The vast majority, more than 7 million, perceive gluten-free products to be a healthier choice or in some cases have a family member with a medical need. In addition, interest in gluten-free and wheat-free items in Canadian restaurants has been growing steadily since 2010, having increased 137% in the past 3 years.
For more information Miriam Pearl can be found at 514.652.0230 or www.deliciouswithout.com
