Ask Italian wins Coeliac UK's NGCI accreditation
Ask Italian has been awarded the No Gluten Containing Ingredients (NGCI) accreditation by Coeliac UK.
The accreditation means that Coeliac UK recognises the restaurant chain as offering a wide choice of starters, mains and desserts suitable for gluten-intolerant customers.
This follows a similar announcement from sister brand PizzaExpress, which is also part of the Gondola Group.
Gluten free dishes included:
• Insalata Caprese (fior di latte (cow's milk mozzarella), San Marzano and Santos tomatoes, fresh basil and rocket, dressed with extra virgin olive oil and grated ricotta salata)
• Risotto Con Gamberoni (risotto featuring prawns and courgettes in a spicy tomato sauce, topped with a king prawn in its shell)
• Sea Bass Al Forno (sea bass fillet baked in a white wine sauce with new potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach)
• Chocolate Amore (a flourless chocolate cake, served with a scoop of vanilla gelato)
Steve Holmes, managing director for ASK Italian, said: "Eating away from home is a huge challenge for people with coeliac disease and we have seen a growing demand from customers looking for safe and delicious choices when trying to avoid gluten. To be able to offer a full and varied menu stands us apart from other high street restaurants".
Coeliac UK chief executive, Sarah Sleet, said: "We know that eating out safely is a top concern for people with coeliac disease, who must follow a strict gluten-free diet for life. We are working with the catering industry to help them deliver good quality menu choices for people with coeliac disease and are delighted that Ask Italian is recognising the importance of catering for this market."
