After enduring a “horrible” lunch six years ago, 17 north London women were inspired to start monthly home cookery meetings.

Now the friends have published a cookbook, raising £15,000 to be split between the Israel Cancer Association and Norwood’s Hope Centre, supporting young people with learning or development problems.

Zehava Taub, wife of the Israeli envoy, was among more than 200 guests who tucked into salads, fish dishes and desserts from the 100-recipe book compiled by the Cooking Lunch Girls at its launch in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

“There are two main things that Jewish people are good at,” Mrs Taub observed. “One is food, the other is chesed — charity.

“These amazing women have combined both of them today.”