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117-mile drive for our gluten-free fish and chips
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| Delicious Matt and Natalie Brown with a portion of their fish and chips which comes in a gluten-free batter |
JUST how far would you go to tuck into a plate of tasty fish and chips? How about a 117 miles?
That's how far some people are willing to drive to savour the unique delights of the Wakering Fish Bar.
The High Street takeaway is the only restaurant in Essex to cater for people suffering from coeliac disease and need a gluten-free diet.
It is likely to have been more packed than usual as it has been National Coeliac Awareness Week.
Those suffering from the disease must stick to a diet completely free of ingredients derived from gluten, including cereals, wheat, barley, rye and oats.
Matt Brown and his wife Natalie, who live in Hockley, took over the business eight months ago.
They realised they could fill a huge gap in the market by offering meals for people who possibly hadn't been able to eat traditional fish and chips for decades.
Mr Brown, who grew up in Ashingdon, said because gluten can be found in so many different foods, it was a lot of work to prepare the meals.
He added: "We choose one night a week to offer our full gluten-free menu and that's Saturdays, which is our busiest night.
"It's not unusual to have people coming from all across the county , just to taste their first fish and chips for a long time.
"One night we even had a couple come in saying they'd driven 117 miles to come and buy some gluten-free fish and chips.
"People often thank us for offering the menu, saying it has given them something to look forward to.
"Your average Mr or Mrs Joe Public will order fish and chips and enjoy it, but for many people out there, they haven't been able to have fish and chips for 30 or 40 years."
9:00am Saturday 17th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: ShipShape, Basildonk on 9:57am Sat 17 May 08
Lucky for me that I don't need to go to the Brown's shop...
But I'm dying for a good bag of chips right now! That's tonight's dinner planned..
Lucky for me that I don't need to go to the Brown's shop...
But I'm dying for a good bag of chips right now! That's tonight's dinner planned..
Posted by: Alan on 11:44am Sat 17 May 08
Dimwits, why don't they cook it themselves, think of how much petrol that's cost them...Duh!!!
Dimwits, why don't they cook it themselves, think of how much petrol that's cost them...Duh!!!
Posted by: Trainman on 12:40pm Sat 17 May 08
[bold]Yet another National week. How many do we need for crying out loud and different in the same week at that?[/bold]
Yet another National week. How many do we need for crying out loud and different in the same week at that? Posted by: A nonny mouse, Glos. on 1:21pm Sat 17 May 08
Actually there are several fish and chip shops serving gluten free fish and chips, including one in Bristol .
Also there is a company called Land and Sea direct who make the most amazing g/f batter mix !
Maybe its also obvious that some are still ignorant of most conditions as they respond with idiotic comments!
Fair play to the couple if they choose to make the drive to have a meal cooked for them that accommodates their diet!
Actually there are several fish and chip shops serving gluten free fish and chips, including one in Bristol .
Also there is a company called Land and Sea direct who make the most amazing g/f batter mix !
Maybe its also obvious that some are still ignorant of most conditions as they respond with idiotic comments!
Fair play to the couple if they choose to make the drive to have a meal cooked for them that accommodates their diet!
Posted by: Francis Grubb, Westcliff on 2:51pm Sat 17 May 08
Make that two large haddock and chips! This is excellent news for my wife, who is allergic to wheat. Looks like tonight's meal is now sorted...
I agree with A Nonny Mouse - anyone suffering from, or close to someone with this condition would think twice before putting disparaging comments about this article.
Frank
Make that two large haddock and chips! This is excellent news for my wife, who is allergic to wheat. Looks like tonight's meal is now sorted...
I agree with A Nonny Mouse - anyone suffering from, or close to someone with this condition would think twice before putting disparaging comments about this article.
Frank
Posted by: Anna, Southend on 1:12pm Mon 19 May 08
Completely agree. Some people seem to think (either in restaurants, shops etc) that it is a faddy diet, doing it to slim and other nonsense and the condition isn't taken seriously. It can cause extreme problems and discomfort for people with Coeliac disease or a wheat/gluten intolerance. Well done to the Echo for highlighting this issue.
Completely agree. Some people seem to think (either in restaurants, shops etc) that it is a faddy diet, doing it to slim and other nonsense and the condition isn't taken seriously. It can cause extreme problems and discomfort for people with Coeliac disease or a wheat/gluten intolerance. Well done to the Echo for highlighting this issue.
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