CHEF Tukta Pace was able to 'keep calm and curry on' as her colleague Punnipa O'Connor tried to put her off her paces at the Oxford Thai Food Festival.

The pair were part of the team from Bangkok House, Hythe Bridge Street, cooking taste bud tingling Thai treats at the festival in Botley Park.

An array of traditional Thai aromas and spices filled the air as an array of food was offered, including everything from rice and curry to barbecued meat and noodles as stall holders mustered up mouth-watering meals.

Ms Tukta Pace said: "We have come along to help our friends serve up food to visitors today and it is the second year we have been along.

"We love coming back because the festival is very good, brings people together and I enjoy getting stuck into the cooking.

"The barbecue pork sticks are definitely a favourite dish this year."

The event was not only about cuisine from the East as visitors were also able to get stuck into typical Thai traditions.

Costume parades and Thai massages, plus a whole host of impressive performances from the Thai Dance Academy and children from Oxford Thai Temple were also on show.

Performer Thanthai Child, 7, said: "I have done a few shows before and we have been practicing lots.

"I played the part in the middle of the stage and I liked the dancing the most."

The festival ran from 10am to 6pm with crowds flocking for a taste of Thailand throughout the day.