Serving up what executive director Nicki Tiefenbrun described as the perfect "non-political antidote" to the Brexit aftermath, the JC-sponsored Gefiltefest attracted 1,000 food lovers to JW3's Finchley Road premises on Sunday.

Food stall offerings ranged from kosher caviar to fudge and visitors had a choice of more than 40 cookery demonstrations, talks and book signings.

"We've been split [by Brexit] and the festival shows our unity through a vibrant part of our culture, which is our food heritage," Mrs Tiefenbrun observed.

"People who don't connect in any other way still connect through food. We have all ages and all denominations here.

"We are trying to showcase everything that is going on food-wise in the community in one day, whether it is challah bakes for charity or new restaurants or products."

With family members including two young grandchildren in tow, north Londoner Jerry Share, 70, said it had been "a great day out. I heard a rabbi talk about the ins and outs of kashrut - that was very educational. I also tried a kosher crab stick. It was horrible."

Abigail Blake and Abigail Freedman, both 24, were Gefiltefest first timers. Ms Blake, a midwife, had made a cheesecake at the "power of desserts" session. "There is so much going on and I love food so it is great," she said.

Her friend, who works in education, also got to sample the kosher crab, having been at the session about kosher food that seems non-kosher in appearance terms.

"People were discussing if it was OK to eat things that look like that and I think the overall opinion was that it is OK if you want to. But I didn't like it."

For Melissa and Noah Nathan, the festival was an opportunity to try different cuisines which were otherwise "quite hard to experience kosher-wise".

Mr Nathan, 24, said he and his wife were "really big foodies" and shared the cooking at home.

"When you are kosher, it is harder to be adventurous. But here it is good because you get inspiration. We have seen things we are going to take home." The day had even changed the opinion of Mrs Nathan, 23, on hummus.

"I don't like it normally but I liked both kinds they made in the session I went to. If Noah makes hummus like that, then I will be converted."

Emma Cherniavsky, 44, was at Gefiltefest with husband Todd Sholkin, 45, and their children Leo and Lucy.

Mrs Cherniavsky had been impressed by the "six seasons of Jewish food" session, learning about "the links between sustainable cooking and cooking in season".

Meanwhile, her four-year-old son was looking forward to making bagels. "I like getting to try the different food," he said. "I like to make banana bread at home so it is good to watch other people cook."

However, not all customers went away satisfied. New West End Synagogue member Louise Graham complained: "We came three years ago and there was a much better choice on offer.

"My son was coming to meet us for lunch.

"But there is no lunch [here] and it is a Jewish function. We are going to the 02 instead."