The aroma of exotic spices attracted crowds in their masses during the first day of the World Curry Festival at City Park, Bradford.

The festival, which began yesterday and continues until tomorrow, brought together food lovers from around the country, and gave a flavour of what is to come throughout the weekend.

A host of entertainment is on offer during the event, including market stalls, pop-up restaurants, street food and live cookery demonstrations delivered by local chefs and those from around Yorkshire.

Zulfi Karim, founder of the festival, said: “It is going fantastic. We have had great numbers of people from around the country. It is great to use City Park in the way it should be used.

“The festival is still in its infancy. This is its fourth year, but is still managing to attract crowds from Bradford and beyond.

“This is a unique fusion of British chefs who are creating amazing cuisines. It is a mixture of Eastern and Western culture on a plate, which is what it is all about.

“I hope the weather is onside with us for the rest of the event.”

Some of the restaurants taking part include Aagrah, Zouk and Hassan’s.

Among the highlights today are live cookery demonstrations by chef consultant Stephanie Moon, of Rudding Park, Harrogate, at noon followed by Mumtaz Khan, founder of the Mumtaz chain, at at 5pm.

Tomorrow, at 1pm, Kaushy Patel, of Prashad restaurant, in Drighlington, Bradford, will give a live cookery demonstration followed by Mohammed Aslam, of the Aagrah group of restaurants, at 2pm.

Bradford College – a principal sponsor of the World Curry Festival – organised much of the planning and co-ordination of the event and students and staff will be out in force.

The college will be running a series of Learn to Cook Curry Classes for budding curry cooks of all ages and chef lecturer Colin Burt and trainer assessor Andy Bray will be helping uphold Bradford’s claim to be the curry capital of the UK while cooking up a storm on the main stage.

Students in the hair and beauty and performing arts faculties will also be showing off their finely honed talents.

The college’s Soul Band and Ricky band will be performing in Centenary Square from 6pm to 8pm today.

Young people involved in the running of the City Farm, which is part of a community, environmental and educational project offering individuals the opportunity to manage the day-to-day running of an inner city farm, have a stall at the event showcasing their work.

Entrance to the festival is free, and complimentary programmes with a list of the events in full are available from stewards on entrance.

Gates open at noon on both days and close today at 10pm and tomorrow at 7pm.