The festival, which was held last Friday 7 October, was open to pupils and parents of the school and aimed to give parents some healthy food ideas and kids an introduction to what it would be like to work in the food industry.

Over 1,000 pupils and parents attended the sensationally tasty event, which featured Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars contestant Bola Obileye, who gave kids a demonstration on how to prepare their own spices and herbs.

Students from Barking and Dagenham College came down to show off their culinary skills, preparing plenty of food for the well-fed attendees.

Elsewhere, not-for-profit street food pioneers, Hustle Eats, wowed the crowds with their mouth-watering jerk chicken and Healthy Mind Healthy Grind’s Marcel Andrew gave a lively demonstration about plant-based cuisine and the importance of healthy eating.

The festival was also a way to get kids interested in careers in the food industry, so that they can make the most of the opportunities the City of London’s three markets’ (Spitalfields, Smithfields and Billingsgate) relocation to Barking and Dagenham can offer them.

Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for School Improvement and Educational Attainment, said: “What a wonderful event this has been – we really want to get our young people interested in food and healthy eating – especially with the three markets of London arriving.

“It’s been great to see so many youngsters and their parents get some healthy eating advice and I hope some of them are now considering a career in the food industry.”

David Ash, Manor Junior School Assistant Headteacher, said: “This first taste festival has been absolutely incredible. We wanted to get everyone in with a celebration of food and community.

“The smells, the sounds, the smiles – what a fantastic day and we look forward to doing it again.”

The event was organised by Barking and Dagenham Council in partnership with Manor Junior School.