Title: 'Understanding coeliac disease and mastering the gluten free diet’ with Specialist Paediatric Dietitian – Natalie Yerlett and Gluten-Free Blogger and Content Creator, Joanne Szrok, and Gluten Free Business Founder, Sonny Wells.

When? 11.30am on Saturday, 24th May

Description: Join our live panel of expert gluten free bloggers and coeliac dieticians to ask them the questions you always wanted to know the answers to! Do you want to know more about: living gluten free, gluten free cooking, gluten free traveling, the gluten free diet, symptom management, testing, diagnosis and more? Come and join in this exciting discussion!

About:

Natalie Yerlett

Natalie is a highly specialist paediatric dietitian and supplementary prescriber with over 17 years experience specialising in gastroenterology and dermatology.  Natalie has coeliac disease, as does one of her three daughters, so she has a personal and professional dedication to helping others live gluten free.  Natalie is recognised internationally for her publications, lectures and contributions to her fields of expertise.

Instagram: @kids.coeliac.dietitian
Website: www.kidscoeliacdietitian.co.uk

Sonny Wells

Sonny is the founder of the gluten free fast food chain - Sonny’s. Having lived with coeliac disease for over a decade, he was fed up with not being able to eat safely when on the move and is now building a business so those who need to avoid gluten, dairy and nuts can eat safely on the go.

He’s an advocate for the gluten free community, a Coeliac UK volunteer and has been shortlisted for startup awards including ‘Captivating Mission’ & ‘Rising Star’. Plus, his business has recently been mentioned by high profile entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson & Simon Squibb. Sonny is on a mission to make gluten free food easily accessible for those who need it and delicious enough to be loved by those who don

Instagram: @sonnys_food
Website: www.sonnysfood.com

Joanne Szrok

Joanne is a content creator and advocate for the wonderful Coeliac disease community. She is a mum to 4 children, and is the only person with coeliac disease in her immediate family. She was diagnosed in 2009, and like many has had lots of ups and downs since her diagnosis. Now, Joanne strives to make living with coeliac disease as enjoyable as possible, and focuses on the positives. She is a volunteer for Coeliac UK, an ambassador for the Allergy and Free From Show, and has even arranged her own Gluten Free Fayre in Hampshire for the community. Raising £552.55 for Coeliac UK. Joanne never wants anyone with Coeliac disease to feel alone, or a problem. Community, understanding and acceptance is everything

Instagram: @onecoeliac_joanneszrok

Free From Bingo: Come play bingo with us for the chance to win special prizes!

When? 12:30 on Saturday, 24th May

Title: Cooking with Masterchef Contestant, and Cookbook Author, Melanie Persson

When? 13.15 on Saturday, 24th May

Short description:

Melanie Persson is a gluten-free cook, author, and content creator. She was the first coeliac contestant to compete on MasterChef Australia in 2022 and published her first cookbook, The Very Hungry Coeliac, shortly after. She is now based in Leeds, UK and her second book, Gluten-Free Feasts, will be released later this year. Since being diagnosed with coeliac disease nearly ten years ago, she has dedicated herself to creating recipes that recreate the foods she used to love. These are largely influenced by her experiences living in Japan and Italy, as well as her Swedish heritage. Mel is passionate about helping people on gluten-free diets rediscover their joy for food and cooking. Whenever she isn't cooking and sharing recipes, she is working on her research as a PhD candidate in the field of children's literature. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok as @theveryhungrycoeliac.

Instagram: @theveryhungrycoeliac

Title: Gluten-Free, Pain-Free: The Secret to Beating IBS, Bloating and Food Anxiety for Good

When? 15.00 on Saturday, 24th May

Description: Join Ali Walsh for an inspiring and practical talk that uncovers the often-overlooked link between gluten, IBS, and ongoing digestive discomfort. Drawing on over 25 years of personal and professional experience, Ali shares simple, effective strategies to reduce bloating, ease food anxiety, and feel confident eating out again. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, this session will leave you empowered, informed, and ready to embrace a gluten-free life—pain-free.

About Ali: Ali Walsh is the founder of Life on a Rice Cake, a website for people who need to avoid gluten. Through online courses and 1:1 mentoring sessions, Ali helps people with coeliac disease and IBS navigate their health challenges with confidence and clarity.

Title: A taste of Italian gluten free tradition: Pizza e Foje - Cornflour Pizza & Greens with International Journalist and Digital Media Manager, Francesca Della Penna

When? 16.00pm on Saturday, 24th May

Description: A Taste of Tradition: Gluten-Free Italian Cuisine Reimagined, will introduce the audience to the rich, gluten-free cuisine of my home region, Abruzzo, Italy. I’ll begin by sharing my personal story, my journey after 10 years in London and how I got diagnosed. I’m also passionate about fostering community, so I’ll share my experiences connecting with others through social media, events, and my podcast. Then I’ll proceed by introducing the audience to traditional Abruzzese recipes that are already gluten-free, emphasising how these dishes celebrate our culinary heritage without the need for gluten - and how they are not as known as the classic Carbonara or Bolognese. In the second part, I’ll focus on adapting a classic Abruzzo Italian recipe for those of us with celiac disease, showing how we can preserve the essence of our food culture while making it accessible. Alongside my talk, I will offer a live cooking demonstration, bringing gluten-free Italian recipes to life with hands-on tips and inspiration. With my Italian roots and global perspective from years in London, I believe I can bring an engaging, authentic experience to the festival, celebrating gluten-free living as both a joy and a journey of discovery.

About Francesca: Francesca Della Penna is an international journalist and digital media manager crafting strategies and engaging content across digital platforms. Currently at Dr Podcast Audio Factory, she develops social media campaigns for podcasts that resonate with audiences, alongside with her job as a Podcast Producer. With expertise in content production and social media trends, Francesca previously led social media initiatives at The Telegraph and CGTN Europe, achieving significant growth in followers. As “The Gluten Freelancer," she combines her passion for gluten-free living with her journalism background to raise awareness about coeliac disease, showcasing her multifaceted skill set on @theglutenfreelancer - An ongoing Instagram project that talks about Italian gluten free food, traditional recipes and gluten free lifestyle.

Instagram: @theglutenfreelancer
Website: www.theglutenfreelancer.com/

Title: Gluten Free Glee Demo: Map, Shopping, Guides and more - all in one GF app 

When? 16.45 on Saturday, 24th May

Description:

Instagram: @gfglee
Website: www.gfglee.com

Title: Panda Productions

When? 10:45 Sunday, 25th May

Description: Mark from Panda Pantry will be teaching us how to make a few easy-to-bake goodies using Panda Flour—a naturally gluten free and low carb flour that's as versatile as it is delicious. Whether you're new to gluten free baking or a seasoned pro, Mark’s recipes are simple, satisfying, and designed to fit into busy lifestyles. Expect practical tips, clever swaps, and treats that are sure to become fast favourites with family and friends. Come along for a fun, hands-on session that proves gluten free baking doesn’t have to be complicated to be crowd-pleasing.

Instagram: @thepandapantryco 

Website: https://pandapantry.co/

Gluten Free Mums with Gluten Full Toddlers

When? 11:30 Sunday, 25th May

Description: This panel features an insightful conversation with two mothers who live gluten free while raising children who are not. They’ll discuss the complexities of managing a gluten-free lifestyle within a mixed-diet household—covering everything from kitchen logistics and cross-contamination concerns to family meals, travel, and modelling a healthy relationship with food. A valuable session for anyone balancing personal dietary needs with family life.

About Alex: Alexandra (Alex) is a gluten free blogger and journalist from South London. She created “The Gluten Free Suitcase” in 2017 to help those with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance to find the very best food in the UK and abroad. When she’s not travelling, you’ll find her cooking up a fusion of Latin American, US and European dishes at home in Kingston where she lives with her husband and son, bringing together everything she has learnt from her family in both the Americas and the UK. She is thrilled to be returning to speak at the Free From Festival again this year about navigating life as a gluten free mum to a gluten-full toddler.

Instagram: @theglutenfreesuitcase

About Shan: Shan was diagnosed as Coeliac in 2017 and has been dodging gluten like a pro ever since! She’s a food-obsessed mum to a wildly energetic gluten loving toddler, turning mealtimes into mini-adventures—even if it means standing to eat! Her mission? To enjoy gluten free food, discover new recipes and gluten free spots and always find the joy in the chaos of feeding a toddler gluten.

Title: A taste of Italian Gluten Free Tradition: Pizza Scima - Flour & Wine Pizza with International Journalist and Digital Media Manager, Francesca Della Penna

When? 12.20pm on Sunday, 25th May

Description: A Taste of Tradition: Gluten-Free Italian Cuisine Reimagined, will introduce the audience to the rich, gluten-free cuisine of my home region, Abruzzo, Italy. I’ll begin by sharing my personal story, my journey after 10 years in London and how I got diagnosed. I’m also passionate about fostering community, so I’ll share my experiences connecting with others through social media, events, and my podcast. Then I’ll proceed by introducing the audience to traditional Abruzzese recipes that are already gluten-free, emphasising how these dishes celebrate our culinary heritage without the need for gluten - and how they are not as known as the classic Carbonara or Bolognese. In the second part, I’ll focus on adapting a classic Abruzzo Italian recipe for those of us with celiac disease, showing how we can preserve the essence of our food culture while making it accessible. Alongside my talk, I will offer a live cooking demonstration, bringing gluten-free Italian recipes to life with hands-on tips and inspiration. With my Italian roots and global perspective from years in London, I believe I can bring an engaging, authentic experience to the festival, celebrating gluten-free living as both a joy and a journey of discovery.

About Francesca: Francesca Della Penna is an international journalist and digital media manager crafting strategies and engaging content across digital platforms. Currently at Dr Podcast Audio Factory, she develops social media campaigns for podcasts that resonate with audiences, alongside with her job as a Podcast Producer. With expertise in content production and social media trends, Francesca previously led social media initiatives at The Telegraph and CGTN Europe, achieving significant growth in followers. As “The Gluten Freelancer," she combines her passion for gluten-free living with her journalism background to raise awareness about coeliac disease, showcasing her multifaceted skill set on @theglutenfreelancer - An ongoing Instagram project that talks about Italian gluten free food, traditional recipes and gluten free lifestyle.

Instagram: @theglutenfreelancer
Website: www.theglutenfreelancer.com/

Title: Bake Pão de Queijo and Learn About the Future of Free From Food with Author and Polish-Brazilian Pastry Chef, Fabiana Pragier

When? 14:10 on Sunday, 25th May

Bio: Hi, I’m Fabiana Pragier, a Polish-Brazilian Pastry Chef with a passion for creating the most delightful gluten and dairy-free cakes and desserts you’ll ever taste!

Title: “The Internet Said It’s Fine: Tales from Facebook Comment Sections”

When? 15:00 on Sunday 25th May

Description: Buckle up for a journey into the wildest place on the internet: the comment section of gluten-free Facebook groups. Morgan brings the laughs, the logic, and a gluten-free guide to dodging bad advice online.

About:

Morgan McKenzie Moore is a gluten-free content creator from New Zealand, now based in London. Known for her humour and advocacy through How to Coeliac, Morgan is also a part of the Free From Festival team, working behind the scenes as well as hosting the stage. She's also a black belt in karate... not super relevant but she told me I had to say that.

Instagram: @howtocoeliac
Website: how-to-coeliac.com

Free From Bingo: Come play bingo with us for the chance to win special prizes!

When? 15:45 on Sunday, 25th May