Disclaimer: I was provided admittance to the Gluten Free Allergen Friendly Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois at no cost to me to facilitate this post on The Eclectic Element and the giveaway prize was provided free of charge from several different companies. All opinions and expressions below are 100% mine and mine alone unless otherwise stated.
If you read my recap of this year's Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois you know there were quite a lot of companies and vendors there offering their gluten free and allergen friendly wares.
From (a LOT of) savory foods to sweet treats, healthy living magazines, essential oils, and healthier makeup and skincare options to chiropractors and therapists ready to help ease your pain or discomfort, there was quite a lot to see!
Only being there for the day on Saturday I wasn't able to visit all the sponsors and vendors on the list which is always sad but I did the best I could with the time I was given!
While I met quite a lot of fantastic companies, sampled some delicious gluten free and allergen friendly foods, and talked to some amazing people throughout this year's expo I have to say there were a handful of companies and or products that stood out the most to me.
Here is my top 5 list of favorites from this year's Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo counting down to my number one:
#5: My Grandpa's Farm
At this particular expo there are quite a few different sweet treats you can sample. From a multitude of cakes to many flavored cookies to muffins, cupcakes, candy and the like, it all kind of starts bleeding together after awhile of eating your way through the event.
And ultimately dealing with your major sugar high.
Having pointed that out, the treats that I actually remember tasting are the ones that stand out from the crowd and My Grandpa's Farm had some samples that are definitely memorable!
They were sampling a gluten free carrot cake and a gluten free banana bread, both of which were beyond to-die-for, not only for the gluten free and allergen friendly factor but they were so moist and flavorful. So much so in fact it was hard believing they were gluten free!
#4: Milton's Craft Bakers
Milton's Craft Bakers was one of the first booths I stopped at and boy do they know how to treat a lady and their customers in general! They were all over any questions you may have had, products you wanted to sample, and more; they were seriously like a well oiled machine and it was fascinating to watch.
Not only that but their products thoroughly impressed this gluten free blogger. They have a large line of different flavored crackers and chips, varieties of breads, and even three flavored cookie options!
Did I mention the cookies were soft baked? Um, yeah.
Not only were the products impressive but the staff was just as impressive with their customer service which is why Milton's made it on my top 5 list! You can tell they really love what they do and care about their customers.
#3: Canyon Bakehouse
Ever since going gluten free I've been on the lookout for a worthwhile bagel that I could actually eat without issue but couldn't seem to find anything that I liked or was much more exciting than just meh.
After years of searching ladies and gentleman, I have found what I've been looking for thanks to Canyon Bakehouse!
Not only do they have a plain bagel but they also offer an everything bagel, multiple different kinds of gluten free breads (including hot dog and hamburger buns), and even some delicious brownie bites.
I was lucky enough to take home a package of their plain gluten free bagels. I had one for breakfast the other day with diary free cream cheese and a few slices of salami on top. It was glorious.
#2: San-J International
Like I said in my previous post my family and I have been fans of San-J International for years. We're a family that loves our oriental inspired meals and knowing regular teriyaki sauce almost always comes with gluten made us very sad.
Not only does San-J make different types of Tamari sauce but they have several other Asian inspired sauces inclusive of Shoyu, teriyaki, and sweet & tangy just to name a few, plus all natural instant soup and brown rice crackers.
What really excites me is their line of salad dressings! I'm picky when it comes to dressings and all 3 of these look like they would be right up my taste bud's alley.
#1: Ethel's Edibles
This probably should not have come as a surprise to my friends and readers who know me and know how much I constantly rave over this company. Ever since my first Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo back in 2013 where I first discovered the glory that was Ethel's Edibles I've been obsessed with them and their melt-in-your-mouth gluten free treats!
I will tell you I was pretty devastated when I learned they didn't return to last year's expo; seriously, I had gone and gotten money out of my account specifically to stock up on their bars but alas, it was for not...
This year I could not contain my excitement when I heard they had returned and were offering their classic flavors, their pecan dandy, blondie, and brownie, along with a newer flavor of theirs, the turtle dandy I had yet to try which was remedied very quickly, I assure you.
Granted there were many vendors and things that I enjoyed at the expo this year in the span of about six and a half hours and it really was difficult narrowing down my personal favorites but these above 5 companies are the ones that really stuck with me the most after all was said and done.
I highly suggest if given the opportunity you should learn more about these 5 companies and sample all the gluten free and allergen friendly greatness they have to offer.
And now for my Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo giveaway number two, sponsored by:
*Milton's Craft Bakers
*Living Now Gluten Free
*BFree Foods
*Ethel's Edibles
*Success Rice
*Enjoy Life
*SunButter
*Freedom Foods
*Jovial Foods
*Gorilly Goods
*Smarty Pants
*Kura Nutrition
P.S. When taking pictures I completely forgot to include BFree's loaf of gluten free bread and tortilla shells which are currently in my freezer just waiting to be sent out!
{The Giveaway}
Gift Bag Full of Goodies from the 2016 GFAF Expo!!
{The Rules}
1. You MUST use the name and email you want to be contacted with in the Rafflecopter.
2. NEW RULE--You MUST leave a 1 to 3 sentence comment on my post in order to be eligible for the giveaway. Short, one to two word answers will be deleted from the post and entries associated will be deleted from the giveaway.
3. Contest will run from Wednesday, June 15, 2016 through to Wednesday, June 29, 2016.
4. Open to individuals 18 years or older.
5. Open to US residents only--Sorry everyone else!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck!
* If you have strict specific dietary restrictions (gluten free, dairy free, soy free, etc) make sure to read all labels on each product before consuming because there is a mixture of many different products in this prize package.
Giveaway Disclaimer: This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years or older and will run from Wednesday, June 15, 2016 7:00am CST until Wednesday, June 29, 2016 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen through Rafflecopter.com and be contacted within 24 hours of the drawing. You'll then have 24 hours (1 full day from when the winning confirmation email was sent) to claim your prize and send me all applicable information-If I haven't heard from you within that time frame, I will be forced to choose another winner. The Eclectic Element and all related parties are in no way liable or responsible for unfulfilled or damaged prizes.