Posted by glutenfr | Posted in bakeries, bread, New products, News, Product reviews, restaurants | Posted on 10-09-2012
Tags: bakeries, bread, New products
I feel like I just won lotto – a gluten-free bakery has opened up in my neck of the woods!
It’s Imperial in Rydalmere and it sells direct to the public from its shop-front as well as selling wholesale to cafes and restaurants – and we here at GFF want you to tell us whether you think this is part of a growing trend.
Imperial had a stand at the recent Sydney Gluten Free Expo which we attended – and as we did our rounds we noticed lots of new specialist bakeries spruiking their wares – so let us know if you have a GF bakery near you so we can list it on our site.
But back to me: this is a most exciting development for me and my family. In the past I’ve baulked at travelling far and wide for specialist gluten-free fare and this has meant most of my ready-made stuff came from the major retailers.
Also, the online retail model for gluten free food has yet to grab me – but this model is heating up, so watch this space for a post on the topic.
As gluten free bakeries go, Imperial is a beauty! It sells at wholesale prices and I bought heaps for around $30. Here’s a photo of their price list:
Among my booty was a loaf or two (very light and surprisingly great for sandwiches) some banana bread (to die for), gluten-free garlic bread (amazing!), pizza bases & bread rolls (still in the freezer) and bread crumbs (still in the cupboard).
Here are some of the other bakeries we stumbled upon at the Expo:
Everyday Goodness: If you loved the Healthy Feast range of products (think lemon meringue pie to die for) look no further. They are back in business and trading under this new name. They no longer have a physical shop but they do sell through markets and distributors and direct to consumers online.
Cocky Chef Bakehouse has also begun selling its pies and bread through markets, cafes and retailers – and their products are full of healthy natural ingredients.
Now a word of warning – it is worth being vigilant when shopping for gluten-free baked goods as we’ve noticed the preservative 282 sneaking its way into many new products. Some people have real problems with continued exposure to this one – so you if you are suffering some new symptoms then you may want to check it hasn’t crept into your favourite loaf.
Even though many bakeries maintain it is to help the quality of the bread, Sue Dengate’s Fed Up intolerance website reports it is just a mould inhibitor that does not influence the quality of the goods at all.
Mandy & Lucy
Or get our newletter . . .
And here’s our new ‘Easy lunchboxes’ download…
Need some inspiration in the lunchbox department?
Recipes include mini-skewers, wraps, and sushi, as well as some hot tips on how to breathe life into gluten-free bread.
That is like winning Lotto! They are extremely reasonable prices.
Yes, who would believe it!
hi Gluten free family,
thanks for the fantastic review, well try and keep up the good work!
Peter Maroun
Imperial gluten free bakery
Thanks for the mention!
By the way, there’s no need for bakers to put preservatives into their bread, despite what they tell us. There are other ways around both the mould issue and the shelf-life issue! Not giving away any secrets, but we employ these other (natural) ways with great success. Our bread contains no preservatives, but will keep out on the counter for 4-5 days no problem and will even slice without crumbling after this time.
–Martin Lass (Director – Product Development)
Sorry… should have mentioned in my previous comment that I am from Cocky Chef Bakehouse!
Good to know, thanks!
SO happy for you-that’s awesome!!!
Rydalmere is only 45 mins from us; I’m excited too!!
Could I trouble you to let me know if many of their products contain egg? -mostly interested whether the pizza bases and the bread do.
Thanks heaps!
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I only have an ingredients list for the pizza bases and unfortunately these do say they contain “egg albumin”.
Oh what a pity!! Thanks so much for checking for me!
Sarah
Hi Mandy and Lucy
An awesome GF bakery near me is Alternative Bites in the Perth suburb of Winthrop. Going there today for a vanilla slice that is better than the gluten filled ones!!
Here is my review:
http://glutenfreesugaraddict.wordpress.com/2011/04/09/delish-deluxe-and-delightful/
Mikala
Thanks for letting us know!
The white loaf from Imperial makes brilliant french toast.
Made a visit to Imperial Bakery based on your review and bought a couple of Hamburger buns. They were awesome and so much like a traditional bun that I was worried that it was too good to be true. I ate one in the car on the way home with nothing on it – it was that good. I’ll definitely be heading back there to try some of their other items.
Wow, great to hear. I have since tried the pizza bases, which were really light and yummy, and the breadcrumbs are also fantastic.
I went and checked them out on the weekend as they are near me and I had been meaning to. So happy!! Now I don’t need to panic that I won’t have bread (been making it lately), I just have to drive there. Thanks for the recommendation.
Yummiest cakes and breads ive ever had just ordered a heap more today to be delivered to my door how awesome thanks for looking out for all of us that are gluten intolerant, so yummy how about the size of your muffins yummo