Bristol Chef Launches City’s First Fully Gluten-Free Dim Sum Menu at CLOUDS

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Chef Anita Cheung’s CLOUDS in Bristol introduces the city’s first fully gluten-free dim sum menu, offering inclusive, authentic Cantonese cuisine crafted with local ingredients and a focus on health and flavor.

CLOUDS

In a groundbreaking move for Bristol’s dining scene, Chef Anita Cheung has introduced a dedicated gluten-free menu at her restaurant, CLOUDS, in St Werburghs. Specializing in Cantonese cuisine, the restaurant is believed to offer the city’s first fully gluten-free dim sum menu, a rarity not only in Bristol but in Chinese restaurants nationwide. This initiative reflects Anita’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that those with dietary restrictions can enjoy authentic Cantonese dishes without compromise.

Anita, 42, opened CLOUDS in 2024 after running her successful catering company, Ah-Ma’s, for 11 years. Her culinary focus has long been on Cantonese specialties, particularly hand-made dumplings and baos, crafted with organic flour and locally sourced ingredients. The new gluten-free menu, which includes dim sum, sharing plates, sides, and a dessert, was carefully developed to cater to those with specific dietary needs. To ensure safety, all dishes are prepared separately with dedicated utensils to eliminate cross-contamination risks, under the guidance of an independent food safety consultant.

Chef Anita Cheung

Born in Hong Kong and raised on the Isle of Man, Anita grew up immersed in the world of Chinese takeaways and restaurants, as her parents ran their own business. Her childhood was steeped in the Chinese philosophy of food-as-medicine, with her mother’s knowledge of medicinal soups and tonics shaping her approach to cooking. Though her mother didn’t teach her to cook, she instilled a deep appreciation for food’s role in health and well-being.

Anita’s journey to becoming a chef was unconventional. After earning a PhD in immunology and teaching science, she pivoted to the culinary world when a friend asked her to cater a festival. This sparked the creation of Ah-Ma’s Dumplings, named after the Cantonese term for “mother” or “grandmother.” Her science background proved invaluable, providing problem-solving skills that she applied to recipe development, ensuring her dishes maximize flavor and quality.

Cantonese Simplicity Meets Local Ingredients

At CLOUDS, Anita emphasizes simplicity and balance, hallmarks of Cantonese cuisine, while prioritizing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Her approach mirrors her mother’s ethos: start with the best ingredients and let their natural flavors shine through subtle seasoning. The restaurant, which also functions as a café and wine bar, is a natural evolution of her street-food success. Together with her partner, Luke, Anita has ambitious plans to further develop the venue, continuing to make CLOUDS a welcoming space for all diners, regardless of dietary needs.

This innovative gluten-free menu not only showcases Anita’s culinary expertise but also positions CLOUDS as a trailblazer in Bristol’s vibrant food scene, offering inclusive dining without sacrificing authenticity or flavor.

Find more from CLOUDS now:

https://www.cloudsbristol.co.uk

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