Many Voices Said 'I Enjoyed the Same Food as My Family' - Authentic Gluten-Free Pizza Buffet Held with Double the Expected Applicants
PIZZERIA ICARO in Nara Prefecture held a free gluten-free buffet for those with wheat allergies. It received double the expected applications, demonstrating a strong demand for inclusive dining experiences.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 04:50 (495h 11m after Collected)
"PIZZERIA ICARO" (Representative: Hikaru Nakanishi) in Nara Prefecture held a "Free Invitation-Based Gluten-Free Buffet" for those who cannot eat wheat and their families and friends. We received 110 applications for the two-part event with 30 participants each (60 participants in total), and both lunch and dinner sessions were fully booked on the day. We provided a buffet-style meal centered around gluten-free pizza made by a world champion pizza chef, featuring dishes without wheat. We saw people choosing the same dishes regardless of dietary restrictions and sharing the "deliciousness," making it a day that reaffirmed the necessity of a place where everyone can enjoy a meal with peace of mind.
ICARO Gluten-Free Buffet Dedicated Website: https://icaro-glutenfree.com/
■ Background of the Event
In Japan, the reality is that people with wheat allergies or gluten intolerance must look for "what they can eat" rather than "what they want to eat" when dining out. It is often difficult to safely enjoy the same food with family and friends, and the ordinary time of "gathering around the same table with everyone" is often restricted.
We want to deliver the same deliciousness to those who cannot eat wheat as to those who can—this desire led to the hosting of this event.
My daughter couldn't eat the pizza I baked...
The reason ICARO started working on gluten-free was that Pizza Chef Nakanishi's daughter, born while he was preparing to open the pizzeria, had a wheat allergy. The experience of "my daughter not being able to eat the pizza I baked" gave birth to the desire to "create a restaurant where people with and without dietary restrictions can smile around the same table," and he decided to open a pizzeria with gluten-free options.
At that time, there was almost no environment to learn about gluten-free pizza in Japan, so he changed his business plan and traveled to Italy.
ICARO Gluten-Free Buffet Dedicated Website: https://icaro-glutenfree.com/
■ Background of the Event
In Japan, the reality is that people with wheat allergies or gluten intolerance must look for "what they can eat" rather than "what they want to eat" when dining out. It is often difficult to safely enjoy the same food with family and friends, and the ordinary time of "gathering around the same table with everyone" is often restricted.
We want to deliver the same deliciousness to those who cannot eat wheat as to those who can—this desire led to the hosting of this event.
My daughter couldn't eat the pizza I baked...
The reason ICARO started working on gluten-free was that Pizza Chef Nakanishi's daughter, born while he was preparing to open the pizzeria, had a wheat allergy. The experience of "my daughter not being able to eat the pizza I baked" gave birth to the desire to "create a restaurant where people with and without dietary restrictions can smile around the same table," and he decided to open a pizzeria with gluten-free options.
At that time, there was almost no environment to learn about gluten-free pizza in Japan, so he changed his business plan and traveled to Italy.