Are M&S planning to take over the Gluten Free market?

Are M&S planning to take over the Gluten Free Market? Probably not, but it is amazing that they are making a conscious effort with so many of their products, ensuring they are clearly labelled as Gluten Free, and introducing products that people like me really appreciate. There is now a wide range of products available in all sized M&S stores, from cocktail sausages to chicken nuggets and from scotch eggs to sandwiches.

You can walk into an M&S store and pick yourself up a range of sandwiches, with great fillings. Cheese Ploughman, BLT, Ham Salad rolls and of course, my favourite the Christmas Sandwich which has been missed off the product list for some years. We now get to enjoy a festive sandwich along with all the other lunchers. 

While the price point of these products are still a little higher than the average person can afford on a daily basis, it is so nice to be able to go into a store and not have to check the

back of every packet. Even ‘normal’ products such as the tortilla chips now have clear labelling so you can see they are gluten free. Some people aren’t a fan of allergy branding and making people aware products are gluten free, but for me, personally it really helps and I think it should be rolled out across the grocery sector.

Who knew scotch eggs would ever be something available to buy in packets, the same with pork pies and sausage rolls. These typically British foods that I had been brought up on are now available so I can eat them (and I don’t have to badger my mum to make me a batch!) and I am chuffed to bits.

 This isn’t to say I eat them every day, but when you can’t have something, it’s all the more exciting when you can have it. Picnics have resumed normality!

Thank you M&S for your range, your dry products such as bread, pasta and cakes are also growing, from a single shelf to now a filled rack in most stores. 

Review: Coco Di Mama - London

Since starting my new job, I have found it quite hard to buy lunch for a reasonable price in Central London. I jumped for joy when Peter told me that Coco Di Mama now have gluten free options; including pasta, brown rice risotto and cakes. We had to go. Lucky enough there’s one about 5 minutes’ walk from my office, which in the long run could be dangerous!

I tried the brown rice risotto with chicken and chorizo, with chili oil. 

Yum. I gobbled it down in 10 minutes. The portion sizes are quite generous, and the price is below average for a central London food outlet. A medium portion is around £4.90 for risotto and if you request gluten free pasta it is an extra 90p.

I have to say though; their gluten free salted caramel brownie is something else. It’s on another level of awesomeness. I jumped up and down as I nabbed the last one! They have the balance of chocolate and caramel down to a T – I should know, I like to pride myself of loving all things caramel flavoured.

The only downside is that they only have branches in London. If you live or work in London, see below for the locations. If you don’t, you may just have to visit London!

Old Bailey

Fleet Street

London Wall

St Pauls

Monument

Houndsditch

Margaret Street

P.s they do the best coffee in the City apparently – which you can’t miss out on. The other half swears by it! 

Go visit! :) T x