The world’s largest halal food festival was held at the London ExCel where visiters were able to sample a range of halal foods.

Newham Recorder: A range of halal foods were on offer at the festivalA range of halal foods were on offer at the festival (Image: Archant)

The three day Halal Food Festival, the first to be held in the UK, ran from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 and offered a chance to explore the diversity of halal food.

Newham Recorder: A cupcake stall at the UK's first Halal Food Festival at London ExCel.A cupcake stall at the UK's first Halal Food Festival at London ExCel. (Image: Archant)

Visiters were able to browse over 100 exhibitors from across the world and sample food and drink from restaurants and street-food stalls.

The food on offer included green spiced chicken fenugreek, Bengali mutton by Joho Soho, and Palestinian medjool dates, stuffed with organic fairtrade nuts and topped with rosebuds.

Guests had the chance to make their own halal ‘mocktails’ with exotic ingredients and fruit juices under the guidance of professionals.

Noman Khawaja, Events Director, said: “The Halal Food Festival sets a new standard in food shows aimed at Muslims in the UK. The range of chefs, features, exhibitors and production quality will leave haloodies eager for the show each year.”

The festival also featured a cooking school with a live demonstration kitchen manned by top chefs, including Shelina Permalloo, Masterchef UK winner 2012, Cyrus Todiwala OBE and Jean Christophe Novelli.

There was also live music Islamic musician Mesut Kurtis.

Imran Kausar, the festival’s founder, said: “The growing British Muslim middle-classes have greater needs and demands from food producers, retailers and restaurateurs and command significant spending power.

“The Halal Food Festival will bring together consumers and businesses in a festival format that can be used to showcase new brands and to raise the range and quality of halal offerings to the consumer.”

For more information visit www.halalfoodfestival.com