By Mrs Lovett (Head of Food and Nutrition)

Years 9-11 Food and Nutrition students had the opportunity to explore London's vibrant East End on a culinary tour organised by Walk Eat Talk Eat on Wednesday 25th June. Our chosen tour, Locals Love: East End, offered a fascinating glimpse into the area's rich food culture and history - the students particularly enjoyed getting some photos of the colourful buildings.

The tour began at Spitalfields Market; we stopped at Karapincha, a Sri Lankan street food stall run by two twin sisters. Here, students tasted Kothu Roti, with options of chicken, lamb or vegan. This stop highlighted the diverse street food offerings that make this market so special.

Next, we visited Dark Sugars, famous for its chocolate truffles. Our guides, Eddie and George, told us about the founder, Nyanga, who had started a small stall in Spitalfields Market and now runs three successful stores. Students were treated to her delicious truffles and enjoyed a cup of Dark Sugars' famous hot chocolate.

We then made our way to Brick Lane, home to a thriving Bangladeshi community. At Raj Mahal, one of the oldest Bangladeshi sweet and snack delis, students had the choice of handmade samosas, pakoras, bhajis or paneer rolls.

Exploring the old Jewish quarter, we enjoyed salted beef and cream cheese with salmon bagels from one of London's oldest family-run bakeries, Beigel Bake. We were told about the origin of the Jewish quarter. Our final treat was a surprise: vegan doughnuts from a hidden gem on Brick Lane. The tour guides revealed these sweet delights at Arnold Circus, once the site of London's largest Victorian slum.

Beyond the food, the tour offered a glimpse into the history of the East End, highlighting the diverse migrant communities from the French Huguenots in the 1600s to the Jewish, Irish and Bangladeshi populations. It was a day of learning, tasting, and exploring that will leave a lasting impression.

View photos from the food tour here.