Gluten Free and Dairy Free at WDW

Hi all,

As some of you may have seen, Udi's contacted me on the blog about the products they provide to WDW (and it looks like some to Disneyland, as well). Here's what I received:

Here is the complete list of all the products we provide for Walt Disney World:

– Plain Bagels

– Blueberry Muffins

– Double Chocolate Muffins

– Pizza Crust

– White Bread

– Dinner Rolls

–Classic (Disneyworld) and Wholegrain Hamburger buns(Disneyland)

–Hotdog Buns

All of these items will also be gluten, soy, dairy, and nut free.

Also, here is the ingredient list for the rolls:

INGREDIENTS: FILTERED WATER, TAPIOCA STARCH, BROWN RICE FLOUR, RESISTANT CORN STARCH, EGG WHITES, VEGETABLE OIL (MAY CONTAIN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: SUNFLOWER, SAFFLOWER, NON-GMO CANOLA OIL), SUNFLOWER SEEDS, RICE BRAN, TEFF FLOUR, FLAX SEED MEAL, CANE SYRUP, WHOLE FLAX SEED, YEAST (YEAST, POTATO STARCH), GUM (XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM ALGINATE, GUAR GUM), SALT, PEA PROTEIN, KONJAC, CARAMEL COLOR, LACTIC ACID, MOLD INHIBITOR (CULTURED CORN SYRUP, CITRIC ACID), FUMARIC ACID, ENZYME (CALCIUM SULFATE, ENZYMES). CONTAINS EGG.

Kosher: Pareve

As you may have read from my previous post, since about mid-November 2011, Disney has been changing many of the WDW resorts allergy/intolerance related products. Sadly, I don't think these things are for the better, but only time will tell how these changes will play out (and yes, from the chefs I've spoken too, they are not happy about this and the changes are related to money saving factors).

One of those changes includes the OMG...it's gluten free! brand of cookies and brownies. Sadly, at this time, only the chocolate chip cookies are dairy free. I encountered a brownie, butterscotch cookie and chocolate chip cookie.

Taste wise, it was OK. I admit, my favorites were the French Meadow cookies prior to the FM cookie change (that happened this last year--they changed the way they made them..they were smaller and more crumbly). This cookie is made to be a large soft batch type of cookie. I found it chewy, but a little flavorless in some ways and definitely not very chocolatey (I love chocolate, so this might be relative). Overall, I would eat it again, but it wasn't my favorite cookie on the planet. I'm just glad there's at least one baked good that is GF/DF still.

You can find these in most QS locations (I found them at Contempo Cafe, Captain Cook's Snack Company, and Main Street Bakery).

Well, there are changes afoot at WDW, changes that I personally don't think are for the better. It's a real bummer too b/c I feel like the changes are all about the cost factor not the guest satisfaction factor. During my 12/9 trip for MVMCP, I discovered that the resort is changing many of their GF and allergy related products to exclude many allergies and intolerances--mainly the remaining or replacing products are geared towards gluten intolerances/allergies and non inclusive of others. It's disappointing and disheartening b/c many of us (including a lot of children) have multiple food allergies.

The products that I have seen replaced are the French Meadow cookies and brownies (now replaced by OMG...it's Gluten free! brand of brownies and cookies. Sure it's great for those who are only GF, not so much for dairy. Only the chocolate chip cookie is GF/DF. No fair! I was so looking forward to getting a brownie at MVMCP, but alas all they had were OMG...it's Gluten Free! Butterscotch cookies. They had dairy in them.

Also the other big change I've seen directly was the replacing of Ener-G rolls to Udi's. The chefs I encountered did not seem too thrilled with this change. As one put it, they can't use one roll for lots of allergies, now they can only accommodate one. So, even the chefs aren't thrilled with this.
Not good.

I've also heard that the Silk brand soy milk has been replaced with a Kikkomman brand and that it's not very good.

As I see changes, I will definitely continue to add them to the blog. Also, I encourage those of you who do not like these changes either to contact WDW and voice your concerns. I hope that this is only a temporary change and will be reversed in the coming year.

Just a quick photo and review from Babycakes. They have some new items that I really like. The first is there "Wonder buns" aka cinnamon buns. They are yummy! I love the cinnamon and sugar combo...they make a great afternoon snack with tea or a sugary breakfast.

Also check out the "mounds" that they make--copycats of the "Mounds" bars. Fantastic!

I also just had the pumpkin cupcake. It wasn't my most favorite cupcake, but I really like the cinnamon frosting. That was fantastic! I think my biggest gripe with the cupcake was the flour mix. They use Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Flour and it has a really nutty chickpea flavor, which I'm personally not a huge fan of. It was still good, but I make my own pumpkin muffins that I personalyl think are better But that's just me.

Overall, loving some of the new treats--can't wait to see what they have for the holidays!

Oh my...there are some things in life that cannot be duplicated...the taste of fish and chips is one I have longed missed since going gluten free/dairy free. I've had some good copy-cats, but the traditional fish and chips (well minus the malt vinegar, which I miss) has long eluded me. Until I heard a rumor on one of the boards that mentioned that they had true fish and chips gluten free/dairy free from Cooke's of Dublin. I almost yelped for joy; I was so excited. I've been long wanting to check it out, but haven't had the chance. Until now....and it was amazing!

I have to say, Cooke's of Dublin is very popular. I was there around 1:30 p.m. and there was a huge line out the door. And no seating. Yikes! I was staying at one of the DVC villas for a night for the Halloween party, so I thought I could take it to go (which I did). When I made it to the cash register, I was told that yes they did have the gluten free fish and chips (and that the fries/chips are always gf). Hurrah! I placed my order then for the fish and chips and waited. Luckily for me, the wait wasn't too long--and actually quicker than some of the other folks in line!

Now for the tasting...I actually ended up just sitting down at Downtown Disney at ate there. I just couldn't wait! I have to say, the fish and chips were worth it. Yum! The fish was mild and flaky. Sure the fish was deep fried and slightly greasy, but that is what you expect from fish and chips. The chips were actually really really good. They tasted more like hand cut (thick) homemade fries. delicious!

I would not hesitate to eat at Cooke's of Dublin again, if I have a fish and chips urge. In fact, I would be curious what other options they might have. Next time I'll have to ask!

Now, if only the UK pavilion could get a GF version; I'd be happy!

Ah, technology...it works so well when it is functioning at full capacity. Not so great when things go haywire. My laptop has been fried out, and I just got a new one. Unfortunately, I still have things to transfer (i.e. pictures for the blog) from the other computer. So, I hope you will all bear with me on the reviews lately. More to come soon!

*Note: This review includes a gluten/dairy free review and a gluten/dairy/soy free review.

I've been interested in Kouzzina for a long time. I am a big Food Network fan, so I was intrigued by Cat Cora's (Iron Chef) restaurant. I've always been on the fence about the menu. I wasn't sure if it would be easily catered to food allergies and honestly, it hasn't appealed to me that much, food wise. However, my friend who is gluten/dairy/soy free said they did a great job for dinner there and that it was very good. So, we decided to check it out for breakfast. Boy, am I glad we did! This is a new favorite for breakfast! My whole family (allergies and otherwise) loved it! Surprising flavor combinations and tasty food. Plus, it was very calm, quiet atmosphere, which was nice.

We were greeted by Chef Brad (who I swear I've had at another restaurant), who was just great. He was really very helpful. We did another customizable menu. I ordered scrambled eggs (which are all cooked in Greek extra virgin olive oil already, a plus!), roasted potatoes, bacon, and a side of Mickey Waffles, with pecans and honey. Boy, was this to die for. I literally scarfed it all down, and I usually don't eat my whole meal. The eggs were the best I've had on property. I loved the flavor of the evoo, and you could tell it was a very high quality evoo. The roasted potatoes were cooked with rosemary and sea salt...they were addicting!!! My mom and step-dad both snuck some of these from my plate (without contaminating it, of course). The bacon was nothing special, but good. Now onto the waffles! Gotta love Mickey Waffles. However, the addition of the pecans and honey were awesome. The pecans are a new must. I would actually probably just do the pecans and get regular maple syrup, but it was a nice twist. I ate everything except for a few potatoes and half a mickey waffle (and Chef Brad gave us four each!!!). Wow, stuffed and very happy! Oh and did I mention they had Earth Balance here! Soooo happy! (note it was not the soy free Earth Balance)

Now my friend ordered something similar. He got a customized meal. Eggs over easy, sweet potato hash, and bacon. The chicken sausage has soy in it, so he was not able to get this. He also go the mickey waffles, with pecans, but no honey. He had sugar free maple syrup. He like everything except the hash (which looked different from my step-dad's sweet potato hash) and had a combination of potatoes and a lot of red peppers. He really loved his meal. Another clean plate!!


On a side note, my folks really enjoyed their meals--the Stacked Kouzzina breakfast (they loved the kalamata olive bread) and the waffle w/pecans, honey, and marscapone cheese.

A definite 9 out of 10! Awesome place--we'll be here again! Highly recommended.