Our Ambassador Stories

Linda Villumsen
World Champion Cyclist

Villumsen won a gold medal in the Individual Road Cycling Time Trial at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In 2015 she won the individual time trial at the UCI Road World Championships. In 2016 she was nominated for a Halberg Award. Read her story here.

Jimmy Boswell
Chef 

Chef Jimmy Boswell is well known here in New Zealand and around the world as The Gluten Free Chef. He has spent years developing wonderful recipes that are gluten-free, yummy and easy to make. He released his first cookbook, The New Zealand Gluten-free Cookbook in 2015 which has been on bestselling lists and is still proving popular.

Jimmy is a real food chef and head chef at Te Waihou Bistro just of SH1 in Putaruru. He brings his understanding of safe kitchen operations to the bistro and it has become a destination for gluten-free people to dine with safety. As an allergy chef he also supports people wanting to dine with other allergies. Jimmy’s website, www.tasteofhome.co.nz has over 350 GF recipes that are family friendly and will impress family and friends.

Jimmy’s website, www.tasteofhome.co.nz has over 350 Gluten Free Recipes that are family friendly and will impress family and friends.

Actress

Esther is an actress and singer based in Melbourne. Esther did theatre work before landing the role of Olivia in kiwi TV comedy/drama Go Girls. Other TV credits include Underbelly New Zealand, House Husbands, WW1 mini series When We Go To War, and The Outrageous Fortune prequel, Westside. Read her story here.

Nicola Browne
Sportswoman

Nicola Browne, International cricketer, retired from cricket in 2010. Several months later Nicola returned to the field after being successful diagnostic with coeliac disease. Read her story here.

Robert Scott
Radio Host

Robert is a long-time favourite on The Breeze radio station. He and his son Sam have coeliac disease. He was diagnosed after experiencing chronic bloating and an upset stomach. Read his story here.

Fleur Pawsey
Athlete

Winner of the Coast-to-Coast 'Longest Day' World Championship race. She was diagnosed after going to donate blood and the finger prick revealed she was severely anaemic, which lead to positive tests for coeliac disease. Read her story here.

Rachel Foreman
Actress

Rachel has worked as an actress on Shortland Street and appeared in many theatre productions including Top Girls. She was diagnosed as being a coeliac after going off a gluten free diet and feeling very unwell. Read her story here.