The Gluten Free Culinary School

About Us

Become a Professional Gluten Free Baker in Just 6 Months!

Gluten Free Baking

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower you with the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in the gluten-free industry, securing loyal clients who return, and bringing their family and friends. Our comprehensive library of instructional videos covers everything you need to know about profitable baking techniques.

Our Story

Our Story“Roanna?  Trey’s coughing and his face is swelling!”  I was home, two blocks from the park when I got that frantic phone call from my husband.  While he sprinted home with the stroller, I called an ambulance and ran to meet them.  My 3 year old’s face and neck were swollen and he was struggling to breathe.  The ambulance roared up, gave him an epi-pen shot, and roared off carrying him and my husband inside (2 passenger limit). I stood there feeling helpless as passers-by stopped to comfort me, after having witnessed the incident.  The world as I knew it, changed forever.

Bloodwork showed allergies to wheat (gluten), nuts, and eggs. Overnight, food became unsafe for us, and I struggled to feed my child. If I felt helpless watching the ambulance roar away, I felt just as helpless with gluten free baking.  Despite this, I prevailed….and I turned it into a business that supports others.

Because of the lack of teaching and training concerning allergy-safe cooking and baking, many families like mine remain isolated– afraid to participate in normal family activities such as enjoying a meal or baked goods at a restaurant.  I am so passionate about breaking down the skills that I have learned into easily accessible training for restauranteurs and professional bakers because it means inclusion and safety for all.  I firmly believe The Gluten Free Culinary School exists to train individuals who will make delightful gluten-free and allergy-friendly food accessible to all! 

Roanna Canete, Co-Founder of The GF Culinary School

Roanna Canete

Roanna grew up on a cattle ranch in rural Utah and her family is Greek immigrants. Fascinated with travel, between the years of 18-30 she traveled to more than 30 countries and worked as a leadership consultant on several continents.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership as well as an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and for 10 years served as a global leadership consultant teaching leadership at the graduate level.

When her toddler son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, she began to realize the limited options available to him and wanted to make a difference. With a unique understanding of the challenges associated with food allergies, she blended her love of baking with her desire to help reshape the food industry.  She opened The Gluten Free Baking Co in 2015 to serve wholesale clients out of her home kitchen. In 2018, she acquired a 2400 sq foot European-style bakery that only served wholesale clients.  She subsequently turned the entire bakery gluten-free, and not only did she not lose any of the existing wholesale clients, but she also gained more.  Her first two years were spent honing recipes and processes for successful wholesale business.

 In 2019, after placing 2nd on the Netflix baking competition series Sugar Rush, she considered opening a retail shop. She called on her friend Annabel Cohen, who had worked and managed retail, to help. Together, the two successfully opened the doors on Feb 8, 2020.  The retail shop was wildly successful, touted as one of San Diego’s most anticipated openings of 2020, and there was constantly a line around the block.  A mere 5 weeks later, Roanna lost her entire wholesale business when the world was rocked by Covid.  So, she spent the next 2 years learning and perfecting retail and was extremely successful. When the world began to return to “normal” she successfully put back together her retail business, opening her second retail location in 2022.

The Gluten Free Culinary School can help you achieve your professional baking goals, no matter where you are in life. It’s the perfect place to begin for recent graduates who have dreamed of becoming a gluten-free chef in a hotel or restaurant but didn’t know where to start. Or for celiacs who understand the challenges of gluten-free living and want to fill a void in the community by offering delicious gluten-free options. Or perhaps the entrepreneur with a hospitality background who would love to open a profitable gluten-free bakery or café. Or even the pastry chef looking to expand their menu in order to meet the increasing demand for gluten-free options in the hospitality industry. Whatever your reason, we are here to help you achieve success.