Sugarbird Bakery Makes Gluten-Free Gourmet
Monday, February 13, 2012
Gluten-free is the rage in top bakeries across the country, and Rhode Island recently gained its own upscale purveyor of wheat-free treats: Sugarbird Bakery in Johnston. Baker Jill Puleo opened her doors last October and she's showcasing her wares at a gluten-free dessert tasting at Providence's Centro Restaurant on February 23, from 6-9pm. GoLocal caught up with Puleo as she revs up for a gluten-free Valentine's Day.
Tell us about your upcoming dessert tasting at Centro.
We'll be presenting selections from our vast dessert menu focusing on classic, small-batch sweets that focus on quality ingredients and elegant presentation. We're including gourmet cookies, tarts, and cakes in both exotic and traditional flavor profiles, including Lavender Cupcakes, Limoncello Shortbread, Chocolate Torte with Pistachio Dacquoise, and Heirloom Almond Biscotti. Everyone who comes will be blown away!
Blown away? Why?
People will be blown away simply because they are used to boring gluten free. Everyone thinks "ho-hum", "good enough", and "it's good for being gf". Not anymore. First, I am a person who LOVES food, ingredients, origins of recipes, flavor combinations, etc. Second, I am a baker. Third, I am a gluten-free baker. That means that I am interested in bringing people the creative, the exotic, and the beautiful... as well as the classic, the silly, and the indulgent. I am just as likely to be found making a sophisticated saffron-vanilla shortbread as I am to be making a potato chip cookie that has m&ms in it. I am going to present some items at the event that I can guarantee no one has ever seen gluten free before. The best part is, no one can tell that my food is gluten free at all.
Do you think gluten-free goods get a bum rap?
Yes I do. I think it's because they get lumped into the dairy-free, sugar-free, allergen-free, vegan stuff. That is all great, but it's not what I do. I use real sugar, butter, and dairy. Many GF bakeries use bean flours and other strong-tasting flours with the intention of being "healthy" or "more nutritious". Honestly, if you want to be healthy and nutritious, eat a salad. If you want to have your head blown off, come see me.
What prompted you to found Sugarbird Bakery?
I have been baking since I could stand up on my own two feet! My grandmother used to stand me up on a footstool at the kitchen table and we would make pie, pizzelle, biscotti, you name it! Then when I got diagnosed with Celiac disease 11 years ago, there was absolutely NOTHING available that tasted anything like what I grew up with. I made myself a baker/scientist/researcher and just began testing, tweaking, and researching until I figured out how to make it work. I can confidently say that I can make virtually anything gluten free!
Should everyone be eating gluten-free sweets?
If a person has Celiac Disease like me, yes they absolutely need to be eating 100% GF, 100% of the time. The same can be said for people who have gluten allergies or sensitivities. There are many people who have chosen to not eat gluten for a myriad of reasons like autism, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, arthritis, etc. I think that anyone who feels better not eating gluten should not eat gluten. Sweets are an important part of anyone's food choices, simply because they make us feel happy! GF sweets allow those not eating gluten to experience the same joy as those eating gluten, but we all have to make good dietary choices overall... GF or not.
Sugarbird Bakery, 2842 Hartford Ave, Johnston, will host a gluten free dessert tasting event on Thursday, February, 23rd from 6-9:00pm, at Centro Restaurant in the Providence Westin at One West Exchange Street, Providence, Rhode Island. Featured musical entertainment will be The Bloom-Colangelo Trio, playing live jazz. This event requires ticket purchase. Tickets, which include a complimentary glass of wine or Prosecco are $30 each and are available by calling 401-764-0406 or by email [email protected].
Related Articles
- Rhode Island’s 6 Best Desserts
- Five Things: Centro at The Westin, Providence
- RI’s Top Spots for Gluten Free Food
- Best Valentine’s Day Restaurants
- Family Matters: Valentine’s Projects for the Kids
- 11 Sexy Ways to Love Your Valentine
