9:50am Thursday 27th November 2008
By South Wales Argus Newsdesk
A CWMBRAN Fish and Chip shop owner won a prestigious national award for its gluten-free food.
Rob Strinati, from the Fairwater Fish and Chip Bar, in Fairwater Square, was awarded with the Coeliac UK 'Outstanding Achievement' award 2008 at the Ty-Hywel Assembly building in Cardiff on Tuesday (Nov 25).
The award recognises people who provide outstanding assistance to those with coeliac disease, which is an illness caused by intolerance to gluten and causes an inflammation in the intestines.
Left untreated, the disease can lead to more serious conditions, such as osteoporosis, infertility or bowel cancer and the only treatment is sticking to a strict life-long gluten-free diet.
Mr Strinati serves gluten-free fish and chips all day every day, and all staff understand a separate fryer is reserved to ensure no cross contamination occurs.
For winning the award Mr Strinati received a glass trophy from Miranda Brooks from Coeliac UK, which will now go on display at Fairwater Fish and Chip Bar.
Mr Strinati, has owned the fish and chip shop for ten years and said he first began serving gluten-free food in October last year.
He said: “I started offering gluten-free after seeing a young child unable to eat with the rest of his family.
“When I asked why and it was explained, I used a separate fryer for him and afterwards decided to continue to keep a special fryer for all gluten-free items.
“It is wonderful to support the local coeliac community and I plan to increase my range of gluten-free items to include pies and sausages so there is more choice.”
Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK, said: “I would like to pass on my sincere congratulations to Rob."
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