The Food Without Fear campaign is in full swing and is really helping to raise awareness for coeliac and gluten-intolerant sufferers, to enable them (us!) to eat out without worry. During my research into this subject I have discovered a really great website: Gluten-free On-the-go, a coeliac friendly guide to restaurants, hotels and more!
Glutenfreeonthego.com provides an easy way to look for a restaurant, bar, café or hotel while managing your gluten-free diet and lifestyle. Their aim is to enhance your travel experience by reducing the time it takes to find places and venues sensitive to your special dietary requirements.
There are two types of gluten-free venues included in their database:
1. Qualified Venues
2. Suggested Venues
Qualified Venues
Qualified venues have agreed to the site’s code of practice (see below), serve gluten-free food, and may have participated in a program that gives them good understanding of your special needs. A detailed description of each qualified venue offers a great amount of information on the establishment including: cuisine type, menu items, photos, hours of operations, management, directions and contact information.
Suggested Venues
Suggested venues have been recommended by individuals who have indicated that these establishments have a good understanding of the gluten-free diet. These venues have not signed the site’s code of practice and are indicated with a Glutenfreeonthego logo stating, "recommended by a person with coeliac or food allergies." This listing includes the venue name and contact information. Glutenfreeonthego.com can neither confirm, nor deny that gluten-free food is available at these locations.
Based upon your comfort level, they recommend you either contact the venue ahead of time or notify the establishment upon arrival to let them know of your special dietary requirements. Also, you can let them know that you are a Glutenfreeonthego.com guest.
Code Of Practice
By signing the code of practice, venues agree to offer gluten and/or allergen-free meal options and provide Glutenfreeonthego.com customers the same standards of service that they give to any customer. A qualified venue’s active participation is essential to the program, so users of Glutenfreeonthego.com can confidently and safely eat at these establishments, knowing that a venue can effectively cater to their needs.
A venue must confirm that they meet each standard listed below. More information on what is required is detailed under each standard for registered venues. If a venue is new to the gluten-free diet, has not participated in an affiliated training program and requires additional educational materials on safely serving guests managing a gluten-free diet; it is recommended that the venue purchase either the Gluten-Free Education Package, or the Phone Consultation and Education Package as a starting point.
The Standards
1. I offer a choice of gluten-free dishes in my establishment. I understand that gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye and barley; and that oats, unless they are certified gluten-free, are not to be used in any dish that I claim to be gluten-free. I further understand that gluten is hidden in many common ingredients, and I will make every effort to ensure these ingredients are not used for the production of gluten-free meals in my establishment.
2. I use caution when buying ready-made foods or processed ingredients for gluten-free dishes and ensure that they do not contain gluten.
3. I ensure that ingredients used for the production of gluten-free meals in my establishment are not contaminated with gluten during storage, preparation, cooking or serving.
4. My staff is aware of the need to treat gluten-free customers with sensitivity, to help them choose their meal with confidence and to effectively communicate their needs to the kitchen to ensure that their meal will be safe and enjoyable.
5. I make every effort to ensure that my gluten-free customers enjoy the same quality of dining experience as my other customers.
The search facility on the website is easy-peasy to use and I’ve already found a whole host of Qualified and Suggested venues in the Sussex area! The database is not restricted to the UK, you can also search worldwide. So if you’re planning a holiday, you can search for ’safe’ venues and plan special meals out whilst you’re away. You can even search for gluten-free friendly hotels,cruises and spas!
I LOVE this website and Dave doesn’t know it yet but I think we’ll be eating out a lot more!! 
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