Southport chef is opening Al-lee’s Gluten Free Kitchen a 100% gluten free bistro

A Southport chef and his partner are opening a new bistro called Al-lee’s Gluten Free Kitchen that is pledging to be 100% gluten free.

Lee Hayes and Ally Shepherd are planning to launch Al-lee’s Gluten Free Kitchen in early May after spending months sourcing reliable GF suppliers and perfecting recipes.

They hope the café and restaurant on Bold Street in the town centre will become a destination for diners across the country who are coeliac or gluten intolerant, or anyone who simply wants to cut gluten out of their diet.

Lee said: “I’ve been a chef for many years and I like to be experimental, so I want to prove that you can come to my restaurant and have a beef Wellington as good as any beef wellington but there’s no gluten because I use gluten free flour.”

“I can produce food that’s good enough for a regular restaurant so people who are gluten free don’t have to compromise or feel like they’re getting a second-best option.

“And with our restaurant, nothing coming through the door is going to contain any wheat or gluten so people can have complete trust in what they’re eating.”

51-year-old Lee says he’s been looking for a while for a gap in the market to open his own business.

He has a popular food review blog, but decided to focus on gluten free when he started to experience his own health issues.

He explains: “My son, who’s in his 30s, is already gluten free and when I started having digestive symptoms I decided I was going to stay off gluten.

“I saw an improvement almost straight away and my body changed completely so now I’m in the process of being tested for an intolerance.

“I’ve found it so stressful going to places to eat, and it’s been impossible for me to order and feel confident even if something is labelled as GF.

“Flour is airborne, it can get through the smallest micro gap, so you can never be sure that something is 100% gluten free if it’s made in the same kitchen and cooked in the same oven as gluten.”

Al-lee’s Gluten Free Kitchen, which will seat around 60-70, will open from 8am to 9pm, serving breakfasts, brunch and dinner with Lee as Executive Chef.

The couple are so determined to make the bistro a success, they’ve travelled extensively finding GF ingredients they’re happy with – breads will come from Scotland and Ally has spent many hours creating their special Yorkshire pud recipe.

He adds, “People have asked me, why would you open a business that aims at 1% of the population? But when you’re going somewhere for a meal, could you really say whether you’re eating gluten free? 

“I can guarantee most people will be eating gluten free without even realising because, for instance, if you go for steak and chips with a salad, that’s a GF meal. 

“It’s only when you have something like pasta you have to change the recipe but I think my homemade lasagna is one of the best anywhere and it’s gluten free.

“We also have GF bagels for our eggs Benedict and smoked salmon with avocado, and they’re so good we eat them at home all the time.”

Lee believes Al-lee’s Gluten Free Kitchen, which also includes dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes, will be the first of its kind in England.

And he’s already had enquiries from diners happy to come hundreds of miles and stay the night in Southport with their families just to have a 100% gluten free, stress free meal.

“So much research has gone into getting this right, I really hope we can build it up and it does become a destination. I want to replace what people eat on a daily basis with gluten free products that are just as good if not better than the regular alternative.”

Check out their Facebook page.

Restaurant Week shines spotlight on Liverpool’s booming food scene- check it out.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.