Celiac disease —the inability to tolerate gluten found in wheat and other substances— affects close to 3 million people in the U.S. And those are only the ones who have been formally diagnosed; it's suspected that many others are suffering symptoms without having identified a cause.

Two new developments can help:

• Publication of "Gluten-Free Baking Classics" by Annalise G. Roberts (Surrey Books, paper, $16.95), as well as "250 Gluten Free Favorites" by Donna Washburn and Heather Butt (Robert Rose, paper, $17.95).

• King Arthur Flour, the preferred flour of serious home bakers, will offer a new line of certified gluten-free products starting March 1. In addition to a basic, gluten-free multipurpose flour, the product line includes convenience mixes for making gluten-free bread, pizza crust, cookies, brownies, chocolate cake, muffins and pancakes. Go to www.kingarthur.com/flours for information.

'SYMPOSIA'

KAHALA HOTEL HOLDING A WINE EVENT

The Kahala Hotel & Resort will present wine selections from 12 California and Australia wineries at its inaugural "Symposia" event, 6-10 p.m. March 13 on the Kahala O Ke Kai lawn. Growing regions represented will be Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Spring Mountain and South Australia.

Tickets are $50 and include the wine tasting, small plates by chef Wayne Hirabayashi and a beachside cigar showcase by Michael Herklots of Davidoff. Tickets: 739-8760 or e-mail restaurants@kahalaresort.com.

— Wanda A. Adams