Celiac in the City

Hi there, and Welcome to Curly Frey.

Let’s cut to the chase… the summer going into my sophomore year of college, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. I grew up in a household where allergies were the least of our worries, and with that, our meals—both homecooked and dining out—were exotic and gluten-filled.

I responded to the news with one disappointment: I can't eat pita chips. For someone who doesn't have a sweet tooth, hated beer, and cared more for the hummus than the bread, I took the news lightly… little did I know how much this allergy would consume me, or the lack thereof.

As a college student in Boulder, Colorado, I found myself in the promised land for someone with celiac. Every menu had “GF” labels and accommodations galore; dinners large and small were no test for my foodie aspirations. What came as the ultimate shock was resisting the urge to cheat with a late-night pizza. For those who don’t know the repercussions of celiac, there is NO CHEATING allowed.

Now, having lived three and a half years with no soy sauce, funnel cakes, or corn dogs I can confidently say my diet might’ve changed, but my love for food has not. Celiac disease is a lifestyle change, but I refuse to let it redefine my adventurous approach to eating.

That’s why I am here, writing to YOU! Join me as I celebrate my love for eating and connecting over food, transforming my experience into a journey that’s about more than just meals—it's about community. We all have three fundamental needs: food, shelter, and clothing. It’s the transformation of these needs into aesthetic forms of self-expression that makes us human.

And with that, Bon Appetit!