FOOD fans arrived in their thousands on Sunday to sample the culinary delights on offer in Croydon's Restaurant Quarter.
Organisers of the second South End Food Festival estimate more than 6,500 people turned up – an increase of around 2,000 compared with last year's first event.
They are confident the popularity of the festival will result in a longer term boost in trade both for restaurant owners and the area's other shops.
A stretch of South End was closed for the day, allowing restaurants to set up stalls outside their premises, offering samples from their menus.
Some of the restaurants including Malcolm John's Brasserie Vacherin, Bagatti's, Albert's Table, Vael-N-Dine and Bar Txt, went one step further and prepared dishes in a demonstration kitchen set up for the day.
For those wanting to take a break from the bites, there was plenty of entertainment.
The live music programme was headlined by rock and soul singer Lenny Zakatek – who had a 70s disco hit with I Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet – while other musical entertainment ranged from jazz and blues to pop and Bollywood dance.
For the youngsters, there was street entertainment, including stiltwalkers and performances by comedy chef Jose the Clown.
Linda Arthur, chairman of the South Croydon Business Association and the owner of Bar Txt, said: "The number of people who came along on Sunday was greatly up on last year. It was absolutely amazing; there were more stalls, more people and an even better atmosphere."
She said the whole festival had proved to be very successful and was an indication of what Croydon was going to offer in the future, adding: "These are difficult times for retailers and the future of retail will be offering a complete experience, perhaps combining shopping with going out for a meal.
"What we are offering in the Restaurant Quarter is a range of international cuisine which you won't find anywhere else outside of central London.
"The festival is definitely going to be an annual event. We have some tremendous sponsorship from Barratt Homes for this year and great support from the council.
"We are already looking for a main sponsor for next year."
