DRAUGHTON villagers experienced something a bit different recently when the Omari family brought their pop up Afghan restaurant to the village hall.

The family came to Britain from Afghanistan in 2021 as refugees and have now settled in Skipton. Mother and daughter, Mozghan and Sonia Omari, enrolled at Craven College, and took lessons in budgeting, booking systems and food hygiene, before setting up their business, Afghan Star Cuisine.

Successful pop-ups, with the help of the whole family, including 11 children, have run at Embsay Village Hall, and now at Draughton Village Hall, where more than 30 people enjoyed a three-course meal.

A spokesperson for the Draughton Hall Committee said: "Rather than our usual quiz night or social gathering, the village chose to host an evening to sample the delights of Afghan cuisine. The food is reminiscent of both Persian and south Asian cookery, appealing to a wide range of tastes, using halal meat, and common vegetables and dairy products, all based around rice and various forms of nan bread.

"It was an all round family event, and lovely to see families enjoy some new flavours together. Some of the children chose to have their own table, and once they had finished eating, they were able to make friends and play with the younger Omaris in the adjoining playground to the hall."

The Omari family are building the business with pop-ups and event catering. To find out more, email: margaretcreek54@gmail.com Draughton village hall can be booked on an hourly basis by emailing: alisonturner65@yahoo.com