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The distinctive styles or cuisines in their own right that may be discerned in Jewish cuisine are Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Persian, Yemenite, Indian, and Latin-American.

The laws of keeping kosher (kashrut) have influenced Jewish cooking by prescribing what  foods are permitted and how food must be prepared. The word kosher is usually translated as "proper." Certain foods, notably pork and shellfish, are forbidden; meat and dairy may not be combined,  and meat must be ritually slaughtered and salted to remove all traces of blood.

This year in Budapest was the first “Cholent Festival”. This special kosher gastronomy festival is organized by the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH). Organisers say this event, called “Sóletfesztivál” in Hungarian, held on Kazinczy Street in the heart of the Jewish area, is where the best known Jewish dish takes center stage.

So as the crowds filled this popular part of the city, they were treated to an array of dishes and delights on a beautiful end of summer day. With the music sounds cascading down the street, this event had a true community feel, in a colourful world of traditions and customs.

Words and photos by Russell Skidmore for XpatLoop.com
After an extensive career in advertising - as an Art Director & Creative Director in London, Paris and Budapest for leading agencies - Russel transferred the skills and knowledge gained to the development of his own successful company covering wedding, event, PR and portrait photography: www.russell-skidmore-photography.co.uk