Customers filed non-stop Saturday into The Happy Tart, Del Ray’s new gluten-free patisserie, to snap up mouth-watering pies, tarts and cupcakes.
Owner and chef Emma Cech bustled back and forth between the kitchen and the front counter. Sometimes, she said, people who cannot eat gluten feel like second-class citizens because of the limited gluten-free food options available today. Not at The Happy Tart, tucked away from the street at 2307A Mount Vernon Ave.
“While in culinary school, I found out that I had Celiac’s, and that was a bit inconvenient, because I couldn’t taste anything,” Cech said. “I went to work for a catering company, which was great, except I couldn’t taste anything. And also, the quality of gluten-free products out there is just so poor.
“So I decided to open this. I wanted to give people with gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity a great place to come and get great pasteries, and choice ... and people who don’t. I think it tastes great.”
Celiac disease is a condition that damages the intestinal lining due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in a variety of grains.
Customer Cornelia Dibell of Alexandria just outside Old Town said she found out three months ago she, too, has Celiac disease.
“So I can’t eat anything with gluten, and I was walking on down the street one day and saw they were opening this, so it was either them or me that was going to open the place,” Dibell said, laughing.
Customer Lanet Gill of Cameron Station in Alexandria learned about four years ago she was gluten-intolerant. A local waiter told her about the new bakery.
“I was a little excited, so I looked them up,” Gull said. “I make brioche for my husband, so I’d like to have brioche for myself, too.”
Carlyn Butcher of Huntington, who also has Celiac disease, perused the options as she waited in line. “(We’ve) been waiting patiently for it to open because it’s very rare to find such a variety of gluten-free baked goods,” she said. “We’re very excited.”
“We’re glad you’re here," an employee told Butcher.
“No,” she said. “We’re glad you’re here.”
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