Kokova Magazine

Reading based company The Cake Crusader took home the top cake category award at the Free-From Food Awards 2012 at The Museum of London Docklands on Tuesday 17th April 2012.

The judging panel for the Cakes and Cake Mixes Category (sponsored by Mrs Crimble's) loved the Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake.

The Cake Crusader won the "Cakes and Cake Mixes Category" at The Free From Food Awards 2012

Reading based company The Cake Crusader took home the top cake category award at the Free-From Food Awards 2012 at The Museum of London Docklands on Tuesday 17th April 2012.

The judging panel for the Cakes and Cake Mixes Category (sponsored by Mrs Crimble's) loved the Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free Carrot Cake - and tasters comments include: Authentic carrot cake icing - great for dairy free; not oversweet, pleasant carrot texture with hint of cinnamon. Taste very home-made.

We are extremely happy to win this prestigious award for our gluten, wheat and dairy free Carrot Cake, especially given the quality of shortlisted entries. People recognise the Free-From Food Awards so much more nowadays and they trust the logo. To be a Free-From winner 2012 is a credential stamp and great honour to have received.

Company owner Liz Allan

The Cake Crusader was also Highly Commended for their Gluten, Wheat, Dairy and Egg Free Fruit Cake.

Antony Worrall Thompson presented the award for the Cakes and Cake Mixes Category which was jointly won by The Cake Crusader and Sweetcheeks Ltd.

You can buy cakes from the The Cake Crusader online on their website.

They will also be exhibiting at The Allergy and Free From Show 18-20th May 2012, Olympia, London. Pop come along and try some yummy Carrot Cake for yourself, you won't be able to tell the difference from normal Carrot Cake!

Liz Allan was diagnosed with Wheat Intolerance in 2001 and Coeliac Disease in 2011. Once her son James was born in 2005 she wanted to start making cakes for his birthday's but hadn't baked for many years.

After much trial and error, she came up with a number of gluten, wheat and dairy free recipes and realised that there were so many others who didn't have any reasonable option for desserts.

She now mixes her own gluten and wheat free flour for all the cakes, makes options for those unable to tolerate egg and sugar whilst keeping all cakes free from artificial additives so that they taste as natural as possible.

It's so rewarding to put a smile on the face of my customers who suffer from food allergies and intolerances. Seeing a child who hasn't had a birthday cake before or an adult who has been diagnosed since adulthood and who are now able to enjoy their celebration the same as anyone else is an amazing and rewarding experience!