If you have been reading FrannyCakes for a while, then you will undoubtedly know that I love going to gluten-free events (I like to try new things!)

Have you been to one of these Gluten-Free Expos yet?

If you haven’t, you definitely need to get that on your to-do list. I’ll wait while you add it.

If you are in the Chicago area (or even as far away as South Bend, IN, St. Louis, MO, Milwaukee, WI or Rockford) you should try to make the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo this Saturday & Sunday, April 14 & 15 2012.

Here are 5 reasons to go

1. You will feel like part of a community.

I can’t stress enough how far this goes into not feeling alone when you are gluten free. I struggled when I first went gluten-free because no one else was. And it meant no beer at the bar with my friends. (It was college – beer was important). When you come to an event like this, there are so many stories just like yours or maybe the only thing you have in common is that you eat a restricted diet. At these events, there is community.

2. We have all tried gluten-free packaged foods that we spent a lot of money on that were terrible.

We’ve all done it. Missed pasta/bread/doughnuts/cookies so much that we purchased the latest and greatest gluten-free product off the shelf and tossed it in our cart only to be so very disappointed when we got it home. I am not going to promise that every brand is going to be your favorite, but you can try that new bread before you spend $6 on a whole loaf. Or you can find out that for you the texture on those trendy cookies that Starbuck’s is so proud to carry really put you off (and that your husband/wife/kids really like them). It is a try before you buy situation. And there is so much to try.

3. There are gluten free products out there that you don’t know about yet.

Have you heard about Plentils and Mega Chocolate Chunks from Enjoy Life? Or Millet Chia Bread from Udi’s? Or did you know that Rudi’s makes an awesome multi-grain that doesn’t have teff? (There is such a thing as an allergy to Teff, just FYI). Did you know that there is this amazing raw granola made from buckwheat groats? Chances are, your supermarket doesn’t know either. Meet the companies, try the food, ask your favorite grocery store to add them to their gluten-free selection. Bask in the awesomeness of being the first to know.

4. There is so very much to learn

There are classes, presentations and people to talk to and connect with. You can learn about how to make the perfect gluten-free chocolate chip cookie. Or maybe you want to learn about traveling with food allergies. Or you need information on how to make sure that you are getting all the right nutrients since changing your diet.

5. You want to network with cookbook authors, bloggers or other experts.

These events are teeming with experts. There are cookbook authors, bloggers and other industry experts galore. Why? Because they come to get the inside scoop on products, teach classes, sell books and meet you.

So are you going to come? Here’s the details:
Gluten & Allergen Free Expo
Saturday April 14th & Sunday April 15th at the Westin In Lombard.
Cost $20 (and it will get you in all weekend and gets you access to public stage presentations).
Cooking classes: As I am writing this there are still some spots available (but not many), click here to get a ticket/ see the schedule

Can’t make it this weekend? Sign up for the FrannyCakes newsletter and I will keep you up-to-date with other gluten-free news & events. (I will never sell or share your email address and I hate spam and annoying newsletters as much as you do, so rest .assured, I will never email you more than once a week – but it will usually be once a month).

I hope I get to meet you this weekend!