In March 2005 a 2 day Seminar was organised by Coeliac Association Malta at the Westin Dragonara Resort St Julians. The first day was dedicated to a workshop/ seminar for Catering Establishments, specifically directed towards Hotels and Restaurants, Students of I.T.S. (Institute of Tourism Studies) and all those involved in the catering industry. The seminar started with a talk and presentation on The Maltese Picture of Coeliac Disease by Dr. Christian Scerri, (Molecular Genetics).
This was followed by 2 talks on The Coeliac Diet. The first talk was given by Ms. Nicky Mendoza, UK Dietitian, and guest Speaker sponsored by Coeliac UK, while the second talk was by Mr. Mario Caruana, Dieititan at St. Luke’s Hospital. There was a short coffee break during which those present could visit the various stands set up in the Exhibition Hall by representatives of different gluten free Manufacturing Companies, and have the opportunity to view the variety of products available on the Island. After the coffee break there was a presentation by Mr. Richard Ward, founder of The UK Coeliac Society, Chairman and Director respectively of two gluten free manufacturing companies. The talk focused on The Manufacture of Gluten Free Products. This session ended with a discussion on the various topics presented.
The second day was directed towards Coeliac persons and others interested in the gluten free diet. Dr. Christian Scerri (Molecular Genetics) opened the session and spoke about The Maltese Picture of Coeliac Disease. The second talk was by Ms. Nicky Mendosa, Dietitian, who spoke about TheCoeliac Diet. Mrs. Josianne Scerri B.Ed. followed with a talk titled Moderators to one’s Response to Coeliac Disease, after which Mr. Richard Ward, Managing Director of Gluten Free Foods in the UK gave a presentation on The Manufacture of Gluten Free Products. The Semiinar ended with a small reception in the Exhibition Hall where those who attended were invited to visit the various stands set up by the different Gluten Free Manufacturing Companies and view the variety of products available in Malta.
The main sponsors were Mr. Richard Ward of UK and Dr. Schar of Merano Italy (both gluten free manufacturing companies) without whose help it would not have been possible to organise this seminar.