GREAT Kitchens™ 10-City Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour Brings Gluten-Free Awareness to Portland

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a successful launch in New York City on October 22-23, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in partnership with chef and restaurateur, Jehangir Mehta, will continue to the second stop of the national GREAT Kitchens™ Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour in Portland, Ore. on October 28-30.  While in Portland, the GREAT Kitchens Chef's Table Tour will address the growing demand for gluten-free food items in restaurants and schools by partnering with local chefs and universities to educate foodservice professionals on safe gluten-free food preparation.

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"Dietary restrictions shouldn't limit access to restaurant dining," says Chef Jehangir Mehta, NFCA chef ambassador and Next Iron Chef finalist.  "For diners with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, having access to safe gluten-free food is a necessity and not a luxury.  Through the GREAT Kitchens™ Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour, we hope to educate chefs across the country about the need for gluten-free menu items and open up a new culinary world for those who must avoid gluten."

The GREAT Kitchens™ Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour will debut in Portland at the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC).  As a conference sponsor, Chef Mehta through GREAT Kitchens will prepare a gluten-free dish for the Welcome Orientation Event on Monday, Oct. 28.  Both Chef Mehta and GREAT Kitchens will hold office hours on Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Wednesday, Oct. 30 as part of GREAT Kitchens educational platform.

Aimed at preparing foodservice professionals to meet gluten-free needs of diners, the GREAT Kitchens™ Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour will partner with two nationally recognized restaurants in downtown Portland.  On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Chef Mehta will join James Beard Award nominee and Top Chef Masters finalist Chef Naomi Pomeroy, to host a chef's table dinner at her award-winning restaurant, Beast.  In the evening, Chef Mehta will join critically-acclaimed chef, accomplished restaurateur, and James Beard Award winner Chef Vitaly Paley at his landmark restaurant Imperial, to celebrate the best in gluten-free Pacific Northwest culinary traditions.

The Portland tour will culminate with a stop at Portland State University on Wednesday, Oct. 29 to speak to students and work with dining staff to increase awareness of gluten-free needs among college students. Chef Mehta will join Portland State University Residential Dining Chef Matt Skemp to prepare a gluten-free tasting menu for students and educate diners on the need for safe gluten-free food options.

Follow NFCA's Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour and join the gluten-free conversation on Twitter through @CeliacAwareness and @jehangir_mehta or by tweeting #GFChefsTable or #GREATKitchens. 

About the GREAT Kitchens™ Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour
Through GREAT Kitchens™, an educational initiative of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), the Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour seeks to educate the food industry on the importance of attentive food handling and preparation in gluten-free dining.  Together with "Next Iron Chef" contestant, executive chef and restaurateur, Chef Jehangir Mehta, GREAT Kitchens™ arms restaurants, universities and foodservice providers with the tools needed to offer safe gluten-free options for individuals with gluten-free dietary needs. The Gluten-Free Chef's Table Tour will span 10 cities in the U.S. through fall 2013 and spring 2014.

About Chef Jehangir Mehta
As executive chef and owner of New York City restaurants Graffiti, Mehtaphor and soon to open third restaurant, Graffiti Me & You, Chef Jehangir Mehta seeks to bring eclectic, healthful dining to the masses.  Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Mehta polished his culinary skill set at acclaimed New York City restaurants including Aix, Compass, and Jean-Georges.  Following the success of his cookbook entitled, "Mantra: The Rules of Indulgence," Mehta appeared on "Iron Chef America" and was the runner-up on the second season of "The Next Iron Chef".

About the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that drives diagnoses of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders and improves quality of life for those on a lifelong gluten-free diet. NFCA owns and operates GREAT Kitchens™, a web-based gluten-free training program for foodservice professionals.  Learn more at www.CeliacCentral.org/GREAT.

SOURCE National Foundation for Celiac Awareness