Masterchef’s gluten-free guru dials up flavour and fun for Freedom.

Freedom is on a mission to prove that the best things in life CAN be gluten free and announced a partnership with famous gluten free chef and cookbook author Melanie Persson who rose to fame on last year’s season of MasterChef where she showed gluten free (GF) food can still pack a flavour punch.

When Melanie Persson was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2016, she was horrified at the bland bites that faced her at that time and had to abandon her favourite foods. She began experimenting with adapting her most loved foods for coeliacs and exploring what lengths she could go to to create mouth-watering, indulgent food everyone could enjoy and is safe for coeliacs. She spent years in her kitchen perfecting gluten-free versions of the dishes she craved.

Appearing on MasterChef as the first gluten-free chef may seem contradictory but she waved the GF flag high. Melanie said, “It was very intimidating at first until I won a few challenges with my gluten free recipes. It was a huge confidence boost plus the support I received from the gluten free community was incredible and so encouraging.”

Melanie, also known as @theveryhungrycoeliac, holds Christmas festivities close to her heart, but becoming coeliac was a big challenge. Meals cooked by others, socialising and dealing with people’s reactions and finding safe food to take with you are just some of the challenges all coeliacs face, especially during festive periods. Too often, being gluten intolerant means being unable to enjoy and indulge, instead having to compromise and settle for food that has less appeal.

Despite the fact that 30% of our population are trying to eat less wheat because they feel less bloated and have better digestive benefits, the indulgent gluten free foods are still hard to find. That’s why Melanie, in partnership with Freedom, has created 12 delicious recipes with their new gluten free cereal range that are perfect for the Christmas holidays and everyday.

From savoury to sweet, and every day to elevated party food, these recipes are simple and can be enjoyed by everyone. Crunchy fish tacos made with Freedom Corn Flakes served with a Roast Pumpkin Salad, followed by a mouth-watering Banana Brownie, or if entertaining, a Maple Crunch Panna Cotta dessert, coffee with Rocky Road and more. Melanie has proven that mouth-watering dishes CAN be gluten free.

“It was a fun challenge to align delicious flavours and Freedom products to create gluten free recipes. I’m hoping these can be enjoyed by not only people who are gluten intolerant but regular foodies,” said Melanie.

Freedom, has recently rebranded, and created a new range called Crafted Blends, dialling up the raw beauty of ingredients with a variety of tastes and textures.

Whilst keeping Freedom cereal favourites, Freedom is also launching a new Crafted Blends range which includes granolas, mueslis and flakes.

“Being able to help make an impact in the gluten free community with Freedom is close to my heart. Freedom has been a brand I’ve loved in the past and I’m excited for this journey together and proving that gluten free doesn’t mean compromising on flavour. Quite the opposite!,” added Melanie.

Alison Baldwin, Director of Nutrition Science said, “The gluten free space is definitely improving, but through studies we are still seeing sufferers having difficulty preparing gluten free food from scratch, obtaining adequate nutrition with their restrictions and facing barriers to eating out or with people. This is a gap we want to continue to close by inspiring people to enjoy the taste of the new Freedom.”