As you know, I went to the Gluten Free Expo that was held in Melbourne a few weeks ago. I had a wonderful time, a big hall full of food I can actually eat? I was literially in heaven.
Imagine my surprise when I check the expo guide and Tobie Puttock was due to have a cooking demonstration. I do like Tobie, have liked his cooking ever since he was on our version of Ready, Steady, Cook and then on Jamie’s Kitchen Australia as he is the head chef of Fifteen Melbourne.
So I knew he had 2 cooking books out, both Italian style and I had never looked at them as I assumed they would be of no interest to me. So why was he at the gluten free expo? I couldn’t understand it.
Well. Blow me off my chair. Tobie came out, introduced himself, told us a little where he had worked. Then asks how many coeliacs in the audience. All the hands went up. Then he explains.
He explains how as a chef, it is his job that every single person in that restaurant has a wonderful dining experience. He understands the frustration that coeliacs and those with food intolerances have when eating out. He feels for us. He wants to make our life easier. Bless him.
He told us a story that when he was at Fifteen London, a girl came up and looked nervous as. She explained that she couldn’t eat wheat,gluten or dairy. She started the conversation with, “I am sorry to be a pain.” He stopped her right there and said that she should never have to apologise for something that she cannot control. Who asks to be coeliac? Noone! He took her aside and devised a whole menu right there on the spot for her. What’s more, it was her birthday.
What a kind person. That is what every chef or cook should be doing. But that’s another post for another day.
I had tears in my eyes as he was so concerned for this woman that felt so bad. I felt like running right up to him and giving him a big hug to say thank you for understanding me and all of us like that woman.
He then went on to show us 3 dishes of his that are gluten free.
Tobie also told us that his 2 cooking books have comments each recipe from Sue Shepherd explaining what to do to each to make them gluten free and dairy free. Bliss!
I was so impressed with him that day, he is my new favourite chef.
top image from www.news.com.au
bottom two images from www.penguin.com.au
I’m a coeliac as well….. hall full of gluten free food….yummm!!!!!!