The Wetherby Whaler restaurant and takeaway in Guiseley has taken steps to ensure even more people can enjoy its fish and chips by offering a Gluten Free alternative.

In addition to using gluten free batter the food is cooked in separate pans to ensure no contamination takes place.

To complete the meal the homemade soups are gluten free, and a range of gluten free desserts, including homemade rice pudding, homemade treacle or jam and coconut sponge with gluten free custard are on the menu.

In addition, the Wetherby Whaler in Guiseley is offering portions cooked in vegetable oil, also using bespoke cookware. This will allow vegetarians and those whose religious beliefs forbid the beef dripping generally used to fry, to enjoy the Whaler’s renowned fish and chips. Both are available to be cooked to order.

Gluten is a protein found in cereals such as wheat, rye, barley, and can contaminate some oat products. People with gluten intolerance, known as coeliac disease, need to avoid all food containing gluten. Coeliac disease is a condition that affects approximately 1 in every 100 people in the UK.

Traditionally fish and chips was high on the list of foods that coeliacs had to avoid, but this is no longer the case as forward-thinking food outlets, such as the Wetherby Whaler, cater for the increasing numbers of people with food intolerances.

Caroline Murphy, general manager at the Wetherby Whaler, said: “It is important that food outlets cater for different tastes and for people with food intolerances, people whose religion or culture forbids certain foods or those who simply choose not to eat certain things, such as vegetarians.

“We think that it is very important that we not only use ingredients that are gluten free or that do not contain any meat products but also use completely separate cooking equipment to ensure no contamination.

“We are delighted that many more people can now enjoy our fish and chips without worrying about the effects on their health.”