Hi, I’m Desiree — the face behind Gluten-Free Wilmy!

About two years ago, I was diagnosed with celiac disease after nearly 30 years of unexplained symptoms.

For years, I was told nothing was really wrong. I lived with chronic fatigue and chronic pain and was essentially told that was just how life was going to be. No additional testing. No real answers.

Eventually, I got tired of accepting that.

I decided to invest in functional medicine testing on my own, which showed a high sensitivity to gluten. That finally gave me something concrete to pursue. I followed up with a local GI provider here in Wilmington, went through additional testing, and ultimately received my celiac disease diagnosis.

Getting an answer after so many years was validating—but it also meant learning an entirely new way of living.

My family and I were still fairly new to Wilmington, and suddenly something as simple as deciding where to go for date night became exhausting.

I would spend what felt like forever digging through local Facebook groups and neighborhood pages trying to piece together information about where I could safely eat. And even when I found recommendations, I was still left wondering:

• Do they actually understand celiac disease?

• How knowledgeable is the staff?

• What about cross-contact?

• Is something labeled “gluten-free” actually being prepared safely?

By the time I figured out where we could go, I was mentally drained.

That experience is exactly why I created Gluten-Free Wilmy.

I wanted to build the resource I desperately wished I had when I was newly diagnosed—one place dedicated to helping our gluten-free community find local information they can actually use.

Whether you live in Wilmington, are somewhere along the Carolina coast, or are simply visiting our beautiful area, my hope is that Gluten-Free Wilmy becomes a go-to resource for:

• Local gluten-free eats

• Gluten-free finds

• Products & specialty shops

• Knowledgeable local providers

• Community recommendations

• Resources for navigating Wilmington & Coastal NC gluten-free

And most importantly, I want to help bring attention to the local restaurants, bakers, businesses, and providers who are making the effort to understand and support our gluten-free community.

We’re just getting started, and I’m so excited about what’s ahead.

Thank you for being here and for helping me build the resource I once needed myself. 

-Desiree