Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, a gluten-free leader in North America, demonstrated new possibilities in the category during the 2013 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine.

During the Festival, February 21–24, Udi’s participated in two events to showcase options that elevate the dining experience for those living gluten free.

The festival is recognized as one of America’s most prestigious gourmet gatherings, offering more than 50 events that draw approximately 60,000 attendees. This group includes restaurateurs, chefs, distributors, and other members of the foodservice industry who come for the first taste of new food trends, including the fast-growing gluten-free sector.

According to Mintel Menu Insights, gluten-free menu items have increased 280 percent from third-quarter 2008 to third-quarter 2011.

For Udi’s, this growth, combined with the influential foodservice audience, presented a perfect opportunity to share the very latest in gluten-free eating at the festival.

“Udi’s participates in this festival to demonstrate how restaurants can provide discerning gluten-free patrons with tasty and exciting choices,” says Denise Sirovatka, Udi’s vice president of marketing. “Often, restaurants rely solely on naturally gluten-free items, such as simple salads or vegetables, instead of providing the full dining experience all customers deserve. With delicious, high-quality products like Udi’s to substitute for gluten-filled dishes, everyone can enjoy dining out without restriction.”

With more than 40 million Americans living gluten free, the demand for gluten-free menu options continues to expand. Since launching in 2012, Udi’s foodservice division sales have increased more than 400 percent year over year and looks to launch several new products in 2013.

Fueled by national distribution and operational support for restaurants—such as back-of-house gluten-free training and front-of-house marketing—Udi’s is at the forefront of gluten-free foodservice solutions.

To highlight this leadership at the festival, Udi’s sampled gluten-free recipes and products with attendees at the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village on February 23 and 24, as well as the Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood on February 24.

Udi’s served gourmet dishes at the Grand Tasting, including Roasted Beet Dip with Udi’s Pizza Crust Triangles; Gluten-Free Mini Walnut Pate Sandwiches with Pears and Arugula; and Goat Cheese, Date, and Prosciutto Crostini on Udi’s Baguette.

All proceeds from the festival benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. 

Udi’s revolutionized the gluten-free category by introducing the first mainstream gluten-free bread that tastes and looks like “real” bread. 

Udi’s success is built on strong communication with the gluten-free community and a commitment to creating foods, including breads, bagels, muffins, and granola, that have the taste and texture of conventional gluten-filled products.

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods are available at national grocery stores and retailers. All of Udi’s baked goods are made in a 100 percent dedicated, certified gluten-free bakery located in Denver to prevent the risk of any gluten cross-contamination.