Event Schedule - Free From Festival

Title: Understanding coeliac disease and mastering the gluten free diet (PANEL) with Specialist Paediatric Dietitian, Natalie Yerlett and Gluten-Free Bloggers and Recipe Developers, Sarah Howells and Laura Strange

When? 11.30am on Saturday, 8th March

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

Sarah Howells

Sarah is a gluten free cookbook author, blogger and coeliac of 20+ years who runs The Gluten Free Blogger. Sarah has appeared in several publications as a gluten free expert and voice for the coeliac community, and develops recipes which she publishes on her blog and YouTube channel. Her debut recipe book, Delicious Gluten Free Meals, arrive in all good bookstores last year & you can also find her recipes online or on socials @GFBlogger.

Instagram:@gfblogger

Website: theglutenfreeblogger.com

Laura Strange

Laura is an award-winning gluten free food blogger, recipe developer and cookbook author. As a diagnosed coeliac, she is passionate about showing that gluten free food is delicious and easy to make. Laura also loves to travel and has written a series of coeliac friendly travel guides. You can follow her @myglutenfreeguide (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok & Pinterest) or find her recipes and travel guides at www.mygfguide.com

Instagram: @myglutenfreeguid

Website: www.mygfguide.com

Title: Disconcertingly Delicious: Cooking with Warburtons Gluten Free, Sponsor of the Stage & Speakers Hall

When? 12:30 Saturday 8th March

About Warburtons Gluten Free: The UK's no 1 gluten free bakery brand

Beware, our products may be fluffier than expected! From melt-in-the-mouth Crumpets, to deliciously soft Pittas, and a roarsome Tiger Bloomer – we’ve got a range of quality bakery products to suit all tastes and meal occasions.

Find out more about our product range at www.warburtonsglutenfree.com/supermarket-products

They’re Gluten Free. Honest.

Instagram: @warburtonsgf
Website: www.warburtonsglutenfree.com

Title: Gluten Free Egg Noodles and Chicken Chow Mein Demo with Gluten Free Blogger and Cookbook Author, Laura Strange

When? 13.15 on Saturday, 8th March

Short description:

Instagram: @myglutenfreeguide
Website: www.mygfguide.com

Title: Learn how to make Gluten Free & Dairy Free Gnocchi with Gluten Free Blogger and Cookbook Author, Sarah Howells

When? 15.00 on Saturday, 8th March

Short description:

Join us in learning how to make delicious gnocchi, a special recipe from Sarah's new cookbook - Delicious Gluten Free Meals.

About Sarah:

Sarah has appeared in several publications as a gluten free expert and voice for the coeliac community, and develops recipes which she publishes on her blog and YouTube channel. Her debut recipe book, Delicious Gluten Free Meals, arrive in all good bookstores last year & you can also find her recipes online or on socials @gfblogger.

Instagram: @gfblogger
Website: www.theglutenfreeblogger.com

Title: Gluten Free Travel Strategy: A Super Practical Step-By-Step Guide (TALK)

When? 16.00 on Saturday, 8th March

Description:

In this talk, Sarah breaks down how to travel on a gluten free diet from an extremely practical perspective. She will share her own step-by-step strategy that she uses to plan every trip, from travel planning to eating safely in the destination. You will come away from this talk with tips and tricks that are immediately usable, as well as increased confidence in your ability to safely travel ANYWHERE in the world!

About Sarah: Sarah is a gluten free travel blogger and award-winning travel writer who has visited nearly 50 countries with celiac disease. She started writing detailed gluten free travel guides on her blog, Endless Distances, back in 2015, when very few others were doing this, as a way to remember her favorite eats along her travels. Prior to taking her blog full-time in 2022 (when she embarked on an 18-month round-the-world trip crossing every border in Central America, spending a month in Japan, two months in Vietnam, and more) Sarah worked as a travel contract occupational therapist. She remains a licensed occupational therapist and is passionate about helping people overcome health barriers to live full lives. Originally from Michigan in the United States, she relocated to London last January to be with her British husband.

Instagram: @endlessdistances
Website: https://www.endlessdistances.com/

Title: How to have your Best Gluten-Free Life! (TALK) with Coeliac Coach, Ali Walsh

When? 16.45 on Saturday, 8th March

Short description: Are you struggling to enjoy a gluten-free lifestyle? Look no further, because Ali Walsh has the answers! With 25 years of experience as a coeliac, Ali has mastered the art of navigating a gluten-free lifestyle with ease and confidence. This inspiring session will give you practical tips for handling social situations, eating well and staying healthy. Ali’s insights will empower you to embrace a vibrant, gluten-free life without feeling restricted. From finding the best gluten-free products to managing your diet with confidence, Ali will show you how to live your best life, free from gluten but full of joy and adventure. Get ready to thrive and make the most of every moment!

About Ali: Ali Walsh is the founder of Life on a Rice Cake, a website helping people on gluten-free diets, and firmly believes there is a way to make life easier, no matter how difficult things might seem. Ali has written for Gluten-Free Heaven magazine and regularly appears on BBC radio. She lives in Bristol with her two naughty little people who love covering themselves in chocolate.

Website: www.lifeonaricecake.com
Instagram @lifeonaricecake
Facebook Group: /TheGlutenFreeHaven

Title: Brain Boosting Breakfast Smoothie Bowl (DEMO) with The Health Anthropologist & Director of O3Omega Smoothies, Sara Fenn

When? 10:45 on Sunday, 9th March

Description:

Sara Fenn MSc specialises in optimising brain health, mood and cognitive function with nutrition and she will explain how to get your essential brain nutrients in a few easy steps. Learn how to make this delicious coconut based smoothie bowl that will leave your mood elevated, your brain switched on and your belly full. The perfect way to start your day and feed your brain what it needs to thrive! Vegan & low carb. Recipe will contain almonds. The rest is a surprise. Come to learn and taste your own brain boosting smoothie bowl with O3Omega Smoothies DHA + MCT oil liposomal supplement.

Instagram: @o3smoothies
Website: https://o3smoothies.com

Title: A Taste of Tradition: Gluten-Free Italian Cuisine Reimagined (DEMO) with International Journalist and Digital Media Manager, Francesca Della Penna

When? 11.30am on Sunday, 9th March

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: Mindset Makeover: Embrace Your Dietary Restrictions (PANEL) with with our Host and Content Creator, Morgan McKenzie Moore and Podcast Host and Allergy Content Creator, Lindiwe Cara

When? 12:20 on Sunday, 9th March

Short description: Join our panel, with Host and Content Creator Morgan McKenzie Moore @howtocoeliac and Podcast Host and Allergy Content Creator Lindiwe Cara @behindtheallergy for an uplifting discussion to inspire, educate, and empower you to embrace a vibrant life full of humour, tips and joy, regardless of dietary restrictions. Together, they’ll explore how shifting mindsets around dietary needs can turn limitations into liberation!

Title: Gluten Free Beyond Borders: A Roadmap to Eating Gluten Free across the Globe' with Gluten Free Blogger and Content Creator, Matt Bzdel

When? 14.10 on Sunday, 9th March

Description:

Traveling while gluten free can be challenging, but with the right tools, it’s possible to enjoy incredible and safe gluten free meals wherever you go.

In this talk, I’ll share my time tested methods for discovering safe gluten free restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores while traveling. From must-have apps to local resources, I’ll walk you through how to research, plan, and confidently dine gluten-free no matter your destination.

Whether you have celiac disease, a gluten intolerance, or are a gluten free ally, this talk will equip you with practical tips to ensure your next trip is delicious and filled with food you can trust.

About Matt: Matt runs the account @GlutenFreeStreetGang on Instagram. He started the account after Starbucks in the United States discontinued their breakfast sandwich, and began making gluten free memes as a coping mechanism. After moving to the UK from Massachusetts almost four years ago, he began focusing on travel between the US and Europe from a gluten free perspective, and how to travel far while eating well – and safely. He’s now an authority figure on gluten free travel and humo(u)r.

His greatest joy is showing people that just because you need a gluten free diet – whether celiac disease, an intolerance, or anything in between – that they are still able to travel the world and eat extremely well.

Instagram: @glutenfreestreetgang
Website: www.glutenfreestreetgang.net