Making tasty food that’s also naturally gluten-free
In most people’s minds, gluten-free food translates to yuck-food, but not at Bunch Bakeshop. Angel Mefford, owner and long-time foodie, has dedicated the last six years of her life to making tasty treats and hot meals available for people diagnosed with celiac disease gluten intolerance. She’s gotten so good at what she does that most of her customers don’t even realize her decadent chocolate cupcakes and savory dinners-to-go are gluten-free.
The secret is in the ingred-ients.
Gluten is only found in wheat, barley and rye, but because of their preservative nature and low cost, large companies often add these ingredients in order to give their products a longer shelf life. Instead of using ingredients that have been processed, Mefford searches for fresh ingredients free of any processing.
“There are a million ingredients out there that we just don’t take advantage of,” said Mefford. “Other countries are already using ingredients that are naturally gluten-free [and] there are tons of alternatives out there for us.”
Mefford’s dedication to gluten-free baking and cooking began when she was diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition that causes gluten intolerance.
“My first thought was that I’m never going to be able to eat the things I truly love again,” she said.
Never one to allow circum-stance to hold her back, Mefford began her search for alternatives that would allow her to continue her enthusiastic growth as a bakery chef.
“Instead of staying down in the dumps about it I just started making gluten-free versions of the food that I loved,” Mefford said.
Since opening her doors in February of this year she has been able to help many others. She once baked a cake for a boy’s sixth birthday. He’d had celiac disease his entire life and never been able to blow out the candles on a birthday cake.
“His mother cried and hugged me when she picked up his cake and it just meant the world to me to be able to do something for their family that many people take for granted,” said Mefford.
When she saw how much her efforts impacted the lives of others living with similar conditions, Mefford decided to extend the services of her bakery and began offering dinners-to-go in the afternoon.
“For someone with celiac or someone with a gluten intolerance, it’s very hard to go to a local restaurant and pick up diner without having to eat a bowl of lettuce. That’s why I created the dinners to go,” she said. “It’s for the people who are too busy to cook and find themselves eating out most of the week.”
Bunch Bakeshop offers a full line of gluten-free bakery items, prepared dinners to-go and full service catering. In mid-July, the bakery will also be hosting a seminar on organizing your pantry when a family member eats gluten-free.
Bunch Bakeshop, 4647 U.S. 280, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday–Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Monday. For more information, visit bunchbakeshop.com or call 205-408-9825.
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