 |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE FROM ALICE BAST
NFCA Executive Director Picture a large ballroom buzzing with excitement. Imagine over 400 people tasting scrumptious hors d’ouerves and delectable desserts. Visualize all of the guests smiling ear to ear. You have just envisioned the most recent NFCA Gluten-Free Cooking Spree! On Friday May 4th, top chefs, doctors and news reporters took over the kitchens and Crystal Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda and cooked up some of the most delicious gluten-free meals of all time! It was great to be able to eat everything on the menu! Enormous thanks go out to the enthusiastic and competent staff of the Hyatt Regency, the renowned Washington Area doctors, the very creative celebrity chefs, the reporters interested in good food and good health, our generous sponsors, and our tireless volunteers for making this one awesome shindig! You may ask, “What exactly is a Gluten-Free Cooking Spree?” Developed as an “Iron Chef” style competition, the Spree joins the medical and lifestyle aspects of celiac disease. Teams composed of a chef, a doctor and a reporter develop and compete in preparing gluten-free recipes. Our guests enjoyed the chance to watch the teams prepare their special entrées. Our honored guest, Alessio Fasano of the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research, acted as a judge graciously combining his medical knowledge with an interest in fabulous gluten-free food to help select the winning team. NFCA’s goal was to offer a unique and fun way to raise awareness of celiac disease with all communities involved in this event. And, it worked! The doctors at the Cooking Spree went from being student chefs to becoming advocates and educators. With this added exposure to celiac disease, they can make a diagnosis much more comfortably. The chefs were excited about exploring this culinary challenge and now understand how serious the side effects of cross contamination can be. Members of the press picked up the story giving both the Gluten-Free Cooking Spree and celiac disease terrific exposure. Please check out these CNN and ABC News segments on the NFCA website, www.CeliacCentral.org. Many of our guests brought family members to the Cooking Spree, some of whom had postponed being tested fearing the gluten-free life ahead. The vast array of truly delicious food and the delightful group of fun-loving celiacs convinced them that had nothing to fear. Most importantly, this event helped improve the quality of life for those who suffer from celiac disease. We received many emails thanking us for holding this wonderful event. All said it was a night to remember! ~Alice |
|
|
||||||
 |
|
Copyright © 2008 National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. All rights reserved. Created by NetReach ®
The information found on this website is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment or for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical condition. We urge you to always seek the advice of your physician. There is no replacement for personal medical treatment and advice from your personal physician. This site was last updated on September 3, 2008. If you have questions, please contact webmaster@celiaccentral.org | View Site Map Privacy Policy: NFCA does not share or otherwise disclose any personal information, including your name, address, or email addresses with other organizations. Only NFCA staff has access to personally identifiable information provided by visitors to our site. NFCA will never share information with third parties. |