PROMOTERS of a fledgling East Lancashire food festival hope they have the recipe for success to make their culinary gathering an annual occurrence.

Cuisine from around the globe helped to draw in the crowds for Nelson’s turn in the culinary spotlight, hosted by “beer chef” Richard Fox.

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Gill Watson, Pendle’s food waste champion, was also on hand to share her expertise, supported by the likes of Nelson and Colne College, and Seafood Pub Company and Spice of India chefs.

Mayor of Pendle Councillor Nawaz Ahmed was delighted to welcome Dutch pancake makers, Mediterranean merchants and confectioners.

Cllr Ahmed said: “It was great to see how many people supported this event, showcasing what Nelson has to offer and promoting our businesses.”

One trader it was hard to ignore was the sweet-talking Cameroon curry chef Alain Job, who brought banana leaf wrapped goat curry, chicken yassa and spicy meatballs, and non-stop patter, to the fray.

Another attraction was Bhangra dancing, courtesy of the Punjabi Roots Academy, who performed a colourful harvest dance.

Free face painting and henna tattoos took over Pendle Rise shopping centre and vintage buses were on hand to bring visitors from all corners of Pendle into Nelson.

Tony Edwards, former Southfield town councillor and town crier, added: “It was a wonderful day, following on from having the Tour of Britain through Nelson last week.”

Not all the locals were strictly enamoured of the event, backed by the Nelson Town Team and the Mary Portas investment in the Pendle centre.

Shirley Rogers, of Relish sandwich bar in Market Street, said: “I’m really disappointed – it’s nothing compared to Accrington’s food festival.

“It was said there were going to be stalls along Scotland Road but there hasn’t been. I’m the only one who’s open on Saturday, who wouldn’t have been and I wouldn’t do it again.”

The festival formed part of Nelson Town Team efforts, using Mary Portas funding, to revive the town centre’s fortunes.