A wealth of foodie diary dates for 2014

Sydney recently held its first Jewish food festival for 700 enthusiastic visitors. An Australian Ashkenazi-Sephardi cook-off saw Ashkenazi Rebbetzin Esty Gutnick and her daughter Chanie Light claim victory over the Sephardi boys Shaul Ezekial and Joseph Bekhor with their cinnamon buns and chocolate babka with a brioche challah dough.

Hampstead Synagogue’s Cholent Fest returns on January 23. The steamy cook-off between determined Shabbat chefs will be judged by well-known names, including award-winning Italian chef Giancarlo Caldesi. Details at www.us.org.uk. This event is not suitable for vegetarians.

For vegetarians, the Jewish Vegetarian Society is organising an Indian cookery demonstration at London’s Finchley Synagogue on February 19 from 8pm-9.30pm. Joseph Moses will demonstrate four dishes: vegetable curry, sukhi bhaji, fragrant pilau rice and roti flatbread which the audience will then be able to sample. Details at: wwww.jvs.org.uk.

Another date for your diary is the first north of England Jewish Nosh Fest which will be held in Leeds next February. The two-day event, organised by Makor, will feature food stalls, cookery demonstrations, samplings, family activities, talks and community schemes. Check www.makor.co.uk for details.