Bayport Welcomes Gluten-Free Bakery

There's a new bakery in town, and it's certainly creating a buzz by bringing the gluten-free community to Bayport for a taste. 

Ms. Michelle's Urban Gourmet on Middle Road specializes in , which owner Michelle Gillette described as foods that contain rice flour or chick pea flour in place of wheat. People with search for gluten-free foods (especially scouring for the rare gluten-free product that tastes good) because gluten is tough for their bodies to break down. 

That is where Gillette stepped in to create great tasting, gluten-free foods. She did it first under 'Ms. Michelle's Gluten Free Products,' and has now opened the bakery after three years of perfecting her recipes.

Laura and Marc Cimmino of Center Moriches have struggled with trying to find tasty gluten-free foods for their son, Justin, who needs to maintain a gluten-free diet. 

Justin Cimmino described his dietary issues as "annoying" while his father Marc said Justin feels as though he is being punished by not being able to eat the delicious foods that contain gluten.   

"We have been following Michelle on facebook knowing she was opening," Laura Cimmino said. The family purchased a non-dairy whipped chocolate cake, which they would eat later that day. 

How she got started is a touching tale. While a teacher, Gillette thought it unfair to cook items containing gluten for kids who could not eat it. So, she created gluten-free recipes for all the kids and one day figured that she could make a career of bringing it into people's homes. Her pre-packaged muffins and other foods are now sold in health stores and restaurants, including Bayport's under the name Ms. Michelle's Gluten Free Products. 

Opening day of the bakery brought more people than Gillette and her partner Christopher Kelly thought. 

"We made enough for what we thought would be a good day," Kelly said. 

The bakery was nearly out of their fresh, gluten-free goods by 3 p.m., with three hours of the day left until closing. 

The day's menu included muffins, chocolate truffles, chocolate canoli whoopie pies and to-go sandwiches, all meant to be gulped down with fresh fruit sun tea, costa rican coffee and other healthy beverages. 

It wasn't only the community at large that embraced Gillette and Kelly on their opening day. Business owner Rita Palma, who runs stopped by for the bakery's grand opening.

"They're a great addition," Palma said.  "They will not only enhance the immediate area but Michelle will grab from all over because of the gluten-free niche." 

A Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for June 9, 2 p.m. at the bake shop.

Ms. Michelle's Urban Gourmet is open Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Monday. Weekend hours will be extended during the summer months.