Beth Hillson

I wear many hats in the gluten-free community - - president of the American Celiac Disease Alliance, a volunteer advocacy group that works on celiac causes such as the FDA labeling regulations; food editor of Living Without Magazine; and creator of a weekly e-newsletter for glutenfree.com I am the founder of Gluten-Free Pantry and created the gourmet baking mixes for the brand.

Here's my story:

When I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1976, I had nowhere to turn for recipes, products or support. I attended culinary school to understand recipes so I could ask the right questions when I ate in restaurants. Little did I know that this would lead to a lifelong career making gluten-free food and serving the celiac community.

As I worked with mainstream recipes, I realized they held secrets. I call it the recipe’s DNA - - the ratio of flour to sugar, fat and liquids, wet to dry. I began substituting gluten-free ingredients. Soon I was baking my way back to the tasty treats I had given up. This launched a lifelong journey to help provide delicious and healthy food for myself and others who cannot have gluten.

I founded the Gluten-Free Pantry in 1993, with a line of gourmet baking mixes based on the mainstream equivalents and so tasty that no one could tell the difference. I was a pioneer, one of the first gluten-free companies to break into the market. The company was sold to Glutino in 2005 and sold again to Smart Balance this year. (My, how my little company has grown up!) But my passion for creating delicious gluten-free foods continues and it was the inspiration for Gluten-Free Makeovers and my blog of the same name.

All the recipes in my cookbook, Gluten-Free Makeovers, are based on recipes that were favorites when I could eat gluten. I've made them over so we can all enjoy them despite our special diet. On my web site and blog of the same name, I continue making over favorite recipes and invite readers to send in their own family favorites for me to convert. After all, I truly believe, gluten-y is its own reward!