The Allergy Free Kitchen and How It Began…
A business cooking for children with allergies grew out of 32-year-old Simone Stoller’s own personal grapples with ill health and pain.
Ten months of terrible pain and complete exhaustions after a day’s work, with little energy to do the simplest of tasks were, Simone discovered, the awful results of food allergies. ‘Generally doctors were unable to diagnose what was wrong and eventually after extensive tests I was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist as having IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). My dietician suggested an elimination diet, taking me off gluten and diary. After just a week I was pain-free, evidence that it was completely food related’.
So food for Simone was proving to be a double-edged sword: she loves food and she loves to cook. She’d worked in Some of Cape Town’s top kitchens from Aubergine, The Bay Hotel to the Manchester Hilton in the UK and the River Court in Ireland.
‘What I longed for more than anything was to eat an egg on toast, and I was also amazed to discover how many people had the same problems. I decided to try alternative, like baking bread with rice and chickpea flours. It was more of a cake, but it came close to the conventional loaf. This was the start of The Allergy Free Kitchen that would produce alternative breads, cakes, muffins and chocolate biscuits for people with allergies.’
Although her business started catering for adults with allergies or with inflammation for the small intestine (celiac) – she soon realized the enormous need to produce alternatives for children. Today most of her work is geared to young children with allergies such as eczema as well as for autistic children, for instance, with special dietary requirements.
“A lot of the so-called healthy alternatives on the market taste awful, and it can be quite a burden for busy moms to cater for children with special dietary needs over and above the usual family meals, so my products are a huge help.”
Simone takes orders by phone or email, cooks at home and delivers around town herself. Her business is run on a direct one-on-one basis with clients discussing their specific needs. She is also producing a range of products to sell at fresh food markets and restaurants that she says should be made more aware of the increasing need for allergy-free foods. Please click here to view her Price List…
Please note: If you suspect you may be suffering from a food related allergy or sensitivity, please consult your doctor. Self diagnosis is not encouraged. A medical practitioner will be able to recommend an appropriate diet plan.
