Siham Costantine

"Gluten-Free Feasts: A Taste of Lebanon and the World" Hello! Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Siham Costantine, and for over 24 years, I have been living with Celiac Disease. It's been a journey filled with challenges, glimpses of triumph, pain and perseverance. Even after following a strict gluten-free diet for so long, there are still tough days. But through it all, I’ve learned to savor the good ones, to cherish the times of comfort, and to find joy in the art of creating delicious food that brings people together. One of the things I missed most in the early days of my diagnosis was the food that reminded me of home—particularly the vibrant, flavorful Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes that are at the heart of our family’s heritage. Growing up, my mother was an exceptional cook, and our gatherings were always celebrated around a table overflowing with love and abundance. When I was diagnosed with Celiac, it was hard for her to see me unable to enjoy the foods that had always brought us so much happiness. But I wasn’t ready to give up the tastes I loved. Driven by my passion for cooking and baking, I dove into the world of gluten-free flours, experimenting tirelessly to create my own blends and adapt our traditional recipes. My kitchen became my lab, a place of constant innovation, breakthroughs, and failures! In 2013, when my family moved to Phuket, Thailand, I began sharing my gluten-free creations with friends. Soon after, in 2015, we opened our first gluten-free coffee shop, “Bake Free”. I named it Bake Free after my personal blog that I started in 2014. Bake Free coffee shop blossomed into a beloved gathering place. Over time, we expanded to three cafes in Phuket and even opened a professional bakery in Lebanon. Life’s challenges, including health issues, led me to close my shops, however, my passion for gluten-free cooking and baking never faded. Instead, it grew stronger, and I turned my focus to perfecting Arabic desserts like Halawat el Jibn, Maamoul, Barazek, Namoura, Sfouf, and more. These treasured treats became the centerpiece of my kitchen experiments. In early 2024, I decided it was time to gather all my recipes in one place, and I began writing my first gluten-free cookbook. This book is the culmination of years of dedication, love, and a desire to prove that gluten-free food can be just as delicious and fulfilling as anything else. Whether it’s savory dishes or sweet desserts, with patience and understanding, you’ll find that gluten-free baking and cooking can bring so much joy. So, come with me on this ultimate gluten-free journey through the heart of Lebanon, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the World! Let’s celebrate the warmth, love, and rich traditions that these cuisines bring to our lives, one gluten-free feast at a time.