Bangkok Canteen becomes first Thai restaurant to achieve gluten free accreditation

Bangkok Canteen on Westgate St, Gloucester, has been named the first Thai restaurant to offer an entirely gluten free menu.

The family-run Thai offers a range of gluten free food and several gluten free drinks choices.

Founded by Kittima Manmaunjun and Wicha Kidhen in 2001, Bangkok Canteen is also a member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).

According to Coeliac UK, one in 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system damages the lining of the small bowel when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye is eaten

Manmaunjun said: "This project started in 2012 when we tried to source gluten free ingredients from reputable companies and write up new recipes. We did lots of research about coeliac disease and in 2016 we contacted Coeliac UK for advice, training and resources and in our recent audit for their gluten free accreditation we were delighted to achieve an A rating.

"We are really pleased that we can provide safe food for our customers with coeliac disease but still using our traditional recipes which customers will not taste the differences. We make all dishes from scratch at our premises therefore we control all aspects of quality. We have worked very hard in the project and hope our customers will enjoy them as much as we do."

Coeliac UK is an independent charity funding research, providing advice and support, and fighting for better availability of gluten free food.

Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK said: "We know eating out safely is a top concern for people with coeliac disease. We are working with the hospitality industry to help them deliver good quality menu choices for people with coeliac disease and we are delighted Bangkok Canteen is recognizing the importance of catering for this market by gaining accreditation from Coeliac UK."

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