Draeger's Markets, an award-winning, family-owned gourmet market, today announced the inception of the Draeger's Gluten-Free Club, which it will formally unveil at an event on Sunday, May 17, 2009, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., at its Blackhawk store (4100 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, Calif.).  The club will provide an opportunity for members to expand their knowledge of gluten-free foods, providing regular access to dietary experts, gluten-free samples and other resources.  The event is open to the public and it is not necessary to register to attend.  Those interested in joining the gluten-free club can register free-of-charge by visiting http://www.draegers.com/html/bakery_GlutenFree-fset.html.  With thousands of gluten-free items stocked throughout their aisles, all Draeger's stores also feature a dedicated gluten-free section to make shopping easier for customers.

The kick-off event will feature many renowned gluten-free chefs and vendors.  Special guest, Katie Taylor of The Taylor Family Foundation and founder of Miglet's Gluten-Free Bakery, will be baking and selling her cupcakes, cookies and a myriad of bakery products from Draeger's Cooking School kitchen.  Her mother, Elaine Taylor, will be representing the Taylor Foundation Celiac Camp. Elaine Taylor is the President and Co-Founder of the Taylor Family Foundation and Camp Arroyo, where kids can come and "check their disabilities at the door."  Elaine is a recipient of the heralded San Francisco Chronicle's Jefferson Award, given to a Bay Area resident who has made a difference in their community.  The camp hosts 18 unique camps for medically challenged kids, one of which is Celiac Camp.

"Not only does Draeger's offer an extensive line of gluten-free items, but the store makes shopping for gluten-free food a pleasure," said Elaine.  "As a small, local business, they have been able to quickly respond to my requests for help, often researching and bringing in new gluten-free items if needed.  Their care and understanding of the gluten-free community is rare among grocers."

Event attendees will have the opportunity to meet cookbook author, Jacqueline Mallorca.  She will be autographing her cookbook, The Wheat-Free Cook.  Jacqueline also has a soon-to-be published Gluten-Free Italian cookbook.  She created and wrote the first Williams-Sonoma catalog and still writes for them today.  She was James Beard's West Coast editorial assistant for several years and has been published in numerous culinary publications.  Jacqueline has also written, co-authored, illustrated or edited 12 cookbooks.

Dr. Vikki Petersen of HealthNOW Medical Center will also be present.  She is the acclaimed author of a new book, The Gluten Effect, celebrated by leading experts as an epic leap forward in gluten sensitivity diagnosis and treatment.  Dr. Petersen, a Chiropractor and Certified Clinical Nutritionist is co-founder and co-director of the renowned HealthNOW Medical Center in Sunnyvale, California.

Meet Kristen Campbell, co-founder of glutenfreefox.com, and get networked with the world of gluten-free foods and recipes.

Vendors introducing and sampling foods include:

• 3 Senses Gourmet
• Amy's
• Bakery on Main
• Bissinger's
• Black Horse Sauces
• Chebe Bread
• Enjoy Life
• Food for Life Baking Co.
• Glutenfreeda Cookies
• Mr. Krispers
• Natashia's Cookies
• Organicville
• Pamela's