Diggers Miranda RSL Head Chef, Andrew Harper: How Curiosity & Listening to Feedback From Coeliac & Gluten Free Customers Created Massive Success for RSL

A Gluten Free Podcast
Episode 212

My guest on today’s episode is head chef at Diggers Miranda RSL, Andrew Harper. We’ll chat about why he changed his kitchen to create safe gluten free options, the importance of listening to feedback from the coeliac and gluten free community and how others in hospitality can learn from his approach. 

What we’ll cover: 

* Andrew’s background as a chef and his career in hospitality 
* Andrew cooking in a pizza shop and an Italian restaurant 
* Andrew’s passion for food and having a mentor at Valentino’s 
* Opening Little Italy restaurant 
* Moving to Diggers Miranda 
* Andrew’s experience of gluten free protocols in Sicily and Rome 
* How a customer helped Andrew to make safe gluten free food 
* Wife of a board member having coeliac disease and cooking gluten free for her 
* Coeliac customers bringing in more coeliacs into the RSL 
* Customers talking about the RSL on Facebook 
* The decision to remove all wheat out of the kitchen 
* Learning and listening to the feedback from coeliac customers 
* The financial decision to do gluten free correctly 
* Andrew’s experience of going to a hospitality training course and the negative comments he heard about his gluten free approach in the RSL
* RSL’s financial growth since going gluten free 
* Catering to other dietary requirements for customers 
* Andrew hearing stories from coeliac customers having bad experiences and the stress they experience in a shared kitchen 
* The kitchen, front of house staff and managers learning about the transition to gluten free food 
* Gluten free deep fried icecream 
* Approach to marking gluten free menu items and dealing with gluten free preconceptions 
* 2025 December special deserts 
* Plans for the RSL for the future 
* How Andrew feels we can create more awareness of coeliac disease and the gluten free in society 
* Educating and showing venues that making great gluten free options 

Links

Diggers Miranda RSL
Follow Diggers Miranda RSL on Facebook and Instagram 
Follow Andrew Harper on Instagram 

📬 Stay connected:
 Instagram: @a.gffamily
Email: aglutenfreefamily@gmail.com

This podcast reflects personal experiences and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for individual guidance. 

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