Helen and Angelo Sarleti are the owners and managers of The Gluten Free World, located at 41 Church Street in Runcorn.
The business officially opened in 2022, beginning as a home-based operation before expanding into the Old Town of Runcorn.
Their bakery now serves a growing customer base, both locally and nationwide.
Helen and Angelo both live in the area – Helen was born in Essex and raised in Italy, and Angelo is Italian.
The decision to specialise in gluten-free baking was personal.
Helen has coeliac disease, and during COVID-19 found that gluten-free food options were often limited.
Coeliac disease is a condition where a person’s immune system attacks their own tissues when eating gluten.
Previously working in hospitality, Helen began baking at home during lockdown.
Her family and friends couldn’t believe her bakes were gluten-free, and her husband Angelo suggested she launch a bakery.
As demand increased, Angelo, who had experience in sales and deliveries, joined the business full-time, and the Runcorn shop officially opened its doors in June 2024.
The bakery specialises in gluten-free baked goods, with additional vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options, all made completely from scratch and prepared in a strictly coeliac-safe environment.
The Gluten Free World also offers a delivery service, with UK-wide postal orders for those who live further afield.
Cannoli – they haven’t seen this made gluten free anywhere else (Image: Supplied)
They are a wholesale supplier to cafés and stockists, and provide catering for events, including buffets and celebration cakes.
Their mission is simple: high-quality, delicious gluten-free food that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
Focusing on flavour, texture, and accessibility, Helen and Angelo are keen to ensure their prices remain fair for those who rely on gluten-free diets for medical reasons.
They believe customers return not just for the dietary safety, but because of how good their products taste – they claim even people who don’t need to eat gluten-free regularly choose their food.
Looking ahead, the couple has plans to expand their reach.
Goals for the coming months include increasing nationwide postal deliveries, growing their wholesale partnerships, and introducing new menu items.
With plenty in the pipeline, the future of The Gluten Free World looks very bright indeed.