I may not be gluten-free myself but I did attend a must-visit for anyone navigating the world of gluten-free living: Toronto’s Gluten-Free Garage. Whether you’re celiac, gluten-intolerant, or simply exploring gluten-free options, this is the place to be. My mom is basically the only gluten-free person in our multigenerational family so you can only imagine her excitement for this year’s event.
What is the Gluten-Free Garage?
Toronto’s Gluten-Free Garage is a fun pop-up marketplace with, well you guessed it, gluten-free everything all in one space. This event is held at the Artscape Wychwood Barns where you can scan various vendors, from local bakeries and food producers to lifestyle brands. It is the perfect event for people to discover, taste, and enjoy the best gluten-free products Toronto has to offer.
Sample & Discover.
The Gluten-Free Garage is the opportunity to discover new and innovative products. I know that my mom enjoyed filling her bag with gluten-free tasty treats like cupcakes and cakes. She also scored some bread and even ready-made breakfast meals. Honestly, there’s something for everyone!
Supporting Local Businesses.
Another great thing about Toronto’s Gluten-Free Garage is that you can discover fantastic local businesses that you may have never heard of. This means that you are not only treating yourself to delicious food but also supporting local entrepreneurs. Plus, you get to see their passion for creating gluten-free products you will love.
My Personal Experience.
This is my second year attending the Gluten-Free Garage. I love seeing so many people coming together to discover gluten-free vendors and products. It is also great to see all the delicious food, and even get to taste some. Therefore my overall experience was great even as a non-gluten-free person. However, no event is ever perfect and of course, I wouldn’t be me without a pros and cons list. Here is my overall list of pros and cons:
Pros:
- The event provides you with a free bag.
- The overall event price wasn’t too bad. (Of course, double-check the price for next year)
- Lots of gluten-free vendors to choose from.
- Able to discover a variety of vendors and new products from inside and outside the venue.
- Pricing of the products was reasonable.
- Many vendors offer free samples so you can taste them before you decide to buy.
- Vendors were talkative and friendly.
- ATM is available.
Cons
- The venue was way too small for this amount of people.
- There was not a lot of parking for those who needed to drive there.
- There was no sense of organization when it came to the line areas for each vendor.
- No sitting area inside the venue.
- Hard to walk through the crowds at times.
- Few long lines for vendors.
- Some vendors only have the cash option.
Tips for Navigating the Gluten-Free Garage.
- Arrive Early: As mentioned before, there were a lot of people in a small venue so it may be best to arrive earlier to avoid the lack of space.
- Bring a Tote Bag or Rolling Cart: Yes, the event provides you with a free bag but if you are like my mom who wants to stock up, we found that the rolling carts worked best for us.
- Go to Your Favourite First: If you have specific vendors you want, it is best to start there are you may find it hard to get your favourites if you wait until the end.
- Sample Strategically: Feel free to try a little bit of everything and sample as you go. Don’t feel the need to buy right away, you can always come back to purchase later.
- Chat with Vendors: This is your chance to ask questions, learn about the products, and get to know the passionate people behind them so don’t be shy. Ask away!
Final Thoughts.
Related:
- Gluten-Free Mini Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
- Go Gluten-free Without Sacrificing Texture and Flavor
- Gluten Free Lemon with Melted Chocolate Cupcakes
- Gluten-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches Coconut & Chocolate
