ABOUT US

The Gluten Free Kitchen Company was Founded in 2011 by myself, Doireann Barrett, as a market stall providing quality Artisan hand-made food products, naturally 'Free From' Gluten, Wheat, Rye, Oats and Barley.

As a Coeliac and Endometriosis Warrior I set up this community to share my knowledge, benefits of supplements, food options, skincare brands, holistic rituals that I use in my daily life that are free from, high quality, and safe for my health conditions.

As well as focusing on the Coeliac, Endometriosis & Gluten Free Community in 2015 I set up my online platforms to reach out to others living with difficult health conditions and who were navigating traumatic experiences and began growing a community who could support each other better and in 2021. Cneasú became the newest project in The Gluten Free Kitchen Company Project. Cneasú is a Holistic Hub that hosts Retreats, Workshops & Events throughout the year.

Cothú is another project created by The Gluten Free Kitchen Company which is our newest Food Concept that we have created from what we have learned from over a decade working with the Street Food Communities.

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Why the original business name was created is because my home kitchen needed to be exclusively gluten free so that in my own home I don't have to worry about cross contamination which gave me the skills to ensure our production kitchen is also exclusively free from ingredients that trigger my Coeliac & Endo Customers.

I also cater for diets free from Dairy, Egg, Yeast, Refined white Sugar, Vegan & Vegetarian life-stylers!

Cneasú which means Healing and Cothú which means nutrition in the Irish Language are the newest additions to the project.

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The Project has now developed into a Multi Award Winning Food & Wellness brand, supplying our own brand artisan food products at Market Stalls, direct Online Sales, and we also sell a wide range of clean living wellness products which are available to deliver directly to your door globally.

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The GFK Co. is a business project which I have been developing and rolling out organically over the years.

I have successfully won places on many EU & bank funded business programs where I learned how to develop and document my business model.

I set up the business because part of the treatment and management of symptoms associated to Coeliac & Endometriosis Disease is a strict avoidance of Ingredients that contain Gluten, Oats, Rye, Barley & Wheat amongst some of the lifestyle restrictions, as well as very diligent lifestyle choices to manage debilitating symptoms.

When in contact with these ingredients through ingestion, touch or cross contamination can trigger the immune system to react negatively causing serious adverse health issues.

Through navigating my way to live a lifestyle living with my health issues I began the community based project.

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How I manage my health conditions, I have used many Fresh Food Ingredients, Recipes, Holistic products & rituals over the years to help with my health and from my experience with my health conditions created this community to offer our Hand Made Fresh Artisan Food Products and Wellness Ranges which are available to order from my online platforms, my Food-stall Events or by email, Whatsapp & telephone!

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Who is Doireann?

I am Doireann, originally from Tralee, Co. Kerry, which is in the South West of Ireland.

I am a Mom, 'Free From' Consultant, Business Developer, Allergen/ Coeliac & Women's Health Advocate, Mentor, an Endometriosis & Coeliac Disease Warrior, Brand Ambassador and a Lifestyle Blogger!

I am the founding owner of The Gluten Free Kitchen Company, Cneasú & Cothú, which I first began the journey back in the early 2000's after seeing a gap in the market for quality 'Free From' food and wellness products.

I set off on my journey to research and began to share my findings and my community was born in 2011 when I attended our Local Enterprise Board, Start your own business program.

After a lifetime of difficult health symptoms since birth, I was finally diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 25 with Coeliac Disease which is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat the protein gluten or the grains wheat, rye, barley and for many Coeliacs, Oats (even the Gluten Free ones). This damages your gut (small intestine) so your body cannot properly take in nutrients. Coeliac disease can cause a range of 300 symptoms.

12 months later in 2005, I was then diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis which is a Chronic Systemic Inflammatory Disease which can cause serious adverse health conditions where cells (endometriotic) are found throughout the body, found most frequently in the pelvis affecting the pelvic structures, ovaries, bowel, bladder, ureters (tubes from kidney to bladder). These cells can also be found in the diaphragm, lung, pericardium ( sac surrounding your heart), skin & brain. Endometriosis is a common condition and is found in 1 in 9 female born women.

My Endometriosis symptoms began as early as 11 years old where I lived with incredibly debilitating symptoms and no medical professional linked my symptoms to Endometriosis or Coeliac Disease until after I had my first child at the age of 23 and my immune system began to crash so severely.

I researched my severe symptoms, I was 25 & 26 when I finally got a medical diagnosis Coeliac Disease and then Stage 4 Endo and continued to struggle to access any appropriate care & treatment for another 18 years.

I know only too well the difficulties of living with difficult physical conditions which lead me to set up The Gluten Free Kitchen Company in 2011.

In 2012 I introduced the Wellness Services and 2015 created a social media platform to meet new people who were travelling similar paths.

I began growing a community online & offline to further support our emotional needs through creating platforms where we can meet others navigating similar journeys.

I have had to endure numerous surgical interventions over a 32 year period including two major surgeries, I lost 2 organs by the time I was 37 and 6 by the time I turned 43, I underwent many treatments including hormonal replacements, trial treatments, medical induced menopause, oncology & radiation, surgical induced Menopause & surgical induced Type 2 Diabetes & have 32 plus difficult years experience living with the disease, that I have developed many skills managing my symptoms.

I understand the level of management involved in getting to enjoy life to the best of our ability while dealing with such serious and difficult symptoms on a daily basis so I set up The GFK Co Brand as a shared knowledge based community and service!

I believe in a lifestyle that is inclusive, enjoyable & stress free and began my journey through offering a service that caters for the needs of the healthier lifestyle, incorporating Mind, Body & Soul!

When I was first diagnosed with Coeliac disease, I saw a gap in the market with the food products on offer in the food service & café/deli offering and the huge risk of cross contamination and lack of understanding about how serious lack of knowledge about hidden allergens can have on a consumer.

The rise in highly processed foods and hidden ingredients can have a detrimental impact on our health and how we manage and monitor our symptoms so knowing what we are eating is a minefield when eating out of the home.

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Irelands First Gluten Free & Coeliac Safe Café, in 2012 I went onto open Ireland's first all Gluten Free & Coeliac Safe café as a 10 Day “Pop Up” that remained open on a short term lease between 2012 & 2014 and this is how my journey to develop the GFK Co. brand got formally established.

In 2015 the Café Outlet Project had to be paused as I was faced with a serious complication to my health that needed my full attention to focus on surgeries, recovery periods & treatment plans!

I moved the business online where we trade directly from a small production kitchen & trade at Market, Festivals & Foodstall Events as well as hosting workshops, retreats and attending Expos..

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My ambition is to eventually create a safe brand of outlets/food trucks that cater for those suffering with food intolerances, diseases and allergies while allowing our customers to enjoy a meal amongst loved ones without the unfortunate cross contamination issues that still exists for a person with serious dietary exclusions.

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My experience, I have over 25 years experience in the corporate, retail and sales sector and I come from a long line of family business owners.

As a patient I also have the experience of living with such serious health conditions and knowing what it takes to enjoy life with the skills learned by living with such serious symptoms my entire life.

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The Project concept has won many places on EU Funded Business Programs where I have been mentored, received funding and have been trained in my current industry sector.

On these EU Funded Business Programs I have travelled all over Europe where I have attended Workshops, courses, Business Bootcamps, Accelerator Programs, Local Enterprise Board "Start Your Own Business" Program, Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers Program, SuperValu Food Academy and many Expos.

I have been privileged to have attended all these programs in many places such as Milan - Italy, Berlin & Strasburg - Germany, Pembroke shire & Cardiff - Wales, Brussels - Belgium, London - UK and all over Ireland!

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Where the project is currently

I currently run my own brand as a Sole Trader supplying Artisan food products on a small scale on a “made to order” capacity, I sell at food-stall events and my online store provides my food offering and recommended wellness products on a nationwide and global availability.

I also work as a Brand Ambassador for some of the best products on the market and have been able to introduce many like-minded individuals to companies that I have worked with and do work with who have become brand ambassadors and some who have eventually gone onto build their own businesses.

I attend lots of events also as a Guest Speaker discussing my experiences.

I also own a Limited Company called The Gluten Free Kitchen Company LTD which I own 100% Equity of and have been building it organically through EU Funded Business Programs and Entrepreneurship & Business Grant aid.

As part of this project I have created a new business concept called Cothú which has been born from my experiences the past decade from trading as a sole trader and learning from the "Free From/ Gluten Free/ Coeliac & Endometriosis Communities!

I am currently raising the Start Up Capital for this project through investment &/or partnership of the Limited Company!

If you are an Investor or have an interest in becoming a Partner in this project I would love to hear from you where we can schedule a zoom call to see if we are a match for this project. All Financial Projections are available for this project and have been drafted by my Financial Advisor.

You can schedule a call with me via our contact form Here!

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Sharing my knowledge academically

I am a co-author of a published case study on my business model which was co-written by Trinity College Business School Professors Paul Coughlan & David Coghlan, Claire Riggs Liverpool University UK & Denise O’ Leary, UCD College Dublin.

My case study chapter was published by Emerald Books in 2016 and is taught Internationally as part of Business Studies Courses in University level, “Organising Supply Chain Processes for Sustainable Innovation in the Agri-Food Industry”. This case study was presented in Milan, Italy in November 2015 during the Milan Expo.

I also attend Guest Speaking Events where I have discussed life living with such serious health conditions.

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Awards & Accolades

Since the establishment of The GFK Co. food and wellness brand, I have gone onto win many awards, nominations and accreditation's and have received lots of media attention.

My business has won Gluten Free Food Business of the Year for the Republic of Ireland three consecutive years in a row 2020, 2021 & 2022!

I recently won the Irish Women's Awards 2023 Community Achievement Award for my work in the community.

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Mentoring, Judging & Support Work

In May 2022 I was appointed by The Coeliac Society of Ireland, Ireland's leading Charity Supporting the Coeliac Community as their Kerry Co- Ordinator. Kerry Support Group!

As well as supporting the Coeliac Community I run Retreats, Workshops and Events through the Cneasú Community.

I also participate in Mentoring & Judging panels nationwide including the Mentor Her Program.

I am a featured leader on the Learn From Leaders Project www.learnfromleaders.ie.

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Hobbies & Passions

I have a big interest in wellness and well-being and in my spare time, I enjoy yoga, surf/ paddle-boarding/beach life and practice a holistic lifestyle.

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Social Media

Get Social with Us! Follow the Brand on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram  TikTok & Snapchat!

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Reach out If you would like to learn more about how my products and services can benefit your life-style be sure to reach out.

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Be Well and Thank you for Supporting my Business Brand & Community.

Doireann xx