Bakeries! (Review from the GiG Health & Wellness Experience)

Our family went to our local GiG chapter's Health and Wellness Experience at the beginning of November.  I will be attempting to do a series of reviews and informational posts about what we saw (and tasted!) there.  These are all unsolicited reviews, and we're receiving no compensation for them (beyond some excellent samples at the GiG Experience).  As always, be sure to read the ingredients before trying any product.

Bakeries!  Ah, the smell of fresh baked bread or pastries and the melt-in-your-mouth taste of a really stellar chocolate cake.  I'm especially a sucker for pies or creamy desserts - oh, bliss!  Unfortunately, going gluten-free can seem to spell an end to all that glorious goodness.  Thankfully, with the rise of gluten-free knowledge, there has also been a rise in dedicated gluten-free bakeries.  National sources for gluten-free baked goods include Udi's, Rudi's, Schar and others.  But here in the Pacific Northwest we're especially fortunate to have some beyond amazing local bakeries.  There were several bakeries represented at the GiG Wellness Experience but  I'm going to talk about the three at which we tasted samples.

Flying Apron Bakery

Counter at Fremont Location

We were first introduced to the Flying Apron Bakery in the funky Fremont neighborhood of Seattle many, many, many years ago when we were training for an overseas teaching assignment.  Now they have two locations - Fremont and Redmond.  Flying Apron is a dedicated gluten-free and vegan bakery cranking out some of the most delectable treats, breads and baked goods around.  Seriously, even if you don't eat gluten-free or vegan, Flying Apron is worth frequenting because they are that good.  At the Experience we sampled brownies, chocolate chip cookies and an amazing pumpkin pie - all were fantastic!  The brownie was ultra-moist, chocolatey and perfectly sweet.  Youngest tried the chocolate chip cookie (it's the only thing he tried at each bakery booth) and reported that he loved it (which is high praise from my son of few words).  The oldest, husband and I all tried the pumpkin pie and found it fab.  I'm wishing I'd bought one to take home with me.  In addition to their two Seattle-area locations, Flying Apron products can be found at several other establishments around the North Sound/Seattle area.

Example of a Julie's Cake

Julie's Gluten-Free Bakery
Located in Puyallup Meridan neighborhood, Julie's Gluten-Free Bakery offers a wide range of wonderful baked products including breads, cupcakes, cakes, cookies and seasonal baked goods as well as a menu that changes daily.  They were offering samples of their amazing pink champagne cake with a luscious butter cream frosting at the Experience, as well as displaying some sample cakes which were artistically amazing (think Cake Boss).  The pink champagne cake samples were light and delicious and the frosting was perfect (this coming from a non-frosting fan). 






Chuckanut Bay Foods

GF Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Chuckanut Bay Foods, located in Ferndale, WA, offers amazing cheesecakes including some lovely gluten-free versions.  I sampled the pumpkin version and ended up buying one to bring home (sorry, no pictures, it was eaten before I took any snaps).  While not a dedicated gluten-free facility, they offer several versions of their traditional cheesecakes in gluten-free versions including the aforementioned pumpkin, plus New York, chocolate truffle, strawberry and tuxedo.   There wonderful cheesecakes can be found at many retailers in the US and Canada and are especially prevalent in the Northwest.