NODO = NO DOUGHYum Gluten Free

NODO = NO Dough

{ NODO IS BRISBANE’S GLUTEN FREE HAVEN WITH GOURMET DONUTS, COFFEE, COLD-PRESSED PRESSED JUICES, AND EVEN CATERING AND DONUT CAKES, OWNED BY A COELIAC HERSELF. }

Contributor: yum. Gluten Free

yum. Gluten Free meets the founder of Nodo Donuts, Kate Williams. She launched the world’s friendliest donut in 2014, stocking Brisbane’s local cafes and the Jan Powers Farmers Markets. Since then, these 100% gluten free, always baked, dietary conscious delights have grown to two fully stocked Brisbane cafes with a massive vision for the future!

ygf: Hi Kate! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live for food and love to explore different cafes and restaurants in my spare time. My background is in hospitality and marketing, so I don’t have any formal qualifications in baking or pastry – I am just extremely passionate about creating delicious gluten free baked goods that appeal to everyone, even those sceptics who love the gluten.

ygf: Why are you gluten free?

I am a coeliac but wasn’t diagnosed until about 10 years ago (in my 20’s). At first I found it really difficult, but after changing my lifestyle I have never been happier. Eating gluten free comes so naturally to me now and I never feel deprived. It’s the best I have ever felt and I think it’s so great we are now more aware and people are being diagnosed earlier.

ygf: What does a normal day in your life look like?

Life is pretty crazy! Luckily I have always been a morning person because we start baking at 4am so we have fresh donuts available when our cafes in Newstead and Brisbane CBD open at 7am. I spend most of my day at Nodo HQ (Newstead) in the kitchen. A great deal of my time also goes to the business end, always looking at ways to expand the brand and keep things moving forward.

ygf: Tell us about your brand?

Nodo “No Dough” was created to put the fun back into gluten free baked goods. As many people may experience, when you are diagnosed with Coeliac Disease you start choosing foods you can have rather than what you are craving. I love to lead a healthy lifestyle but I also think life is about balance and most importantly having fun. For me, Nodo is about not taking food so seriously and allowing yourself treats, guilt free.

ygf: What’s the best part about your job?

I love the creative side of the business. Product development and marketing.

I am also blown away by all the people I have met as a result of starting Nodo. I love connecting with like-minded people who inspire me every day.

ygf: What is your inspiration?

Companies like Pana Chocolate & Pressed Juices really inspire me. They both have fantastic branding, great social media content and every facet of the business has been considered.

ygf: What makes you unique?

We are unique because we are reinventing childhood favourites, substituting ingredients to make healthier alternatives. Gluten free is relatively new in the baking world and we are pushing the boundaries to make our products attractive to everyone, not just those with intolerances or allergies.

ygf: What’s your favourite food?

…donuts.

ygf: What’s one word that sums you up?

That’s a hard one! I would like to think I am ‘passionate’!

ygf: What is your motto?

That’s easy… “Eat donuts for breakfast.”

ygf: What is your vision for the future? Anything exciting in the pipeline?

I have big visions for the future of Nodo. I want to be able to reach people from not just our local neighbourhood of Brisbane. Thanks to social media we have been able to connect with people from all over the world and it would be lovely to be able to offer them a little slice of Nodo.