Five thousand women - and a small number of men - used their bread-making skills to launch the Shabbat UK programme with the Great Challah Make in Brent Cross.

Creating a potential Guinness World Record for "the most amount of people in the same venue at the same time making bread", the north-London bakers were not alone as another 5,000 people took part in similar events around the country.

In Brent Cross, 9,000 eggs, 13 tons of flour, hundreds of litres of water and thousands of yeast cubes were used to create the challot, some of which was donated to community food bank charities. Addressing the bakers from a stage overlooking the preparation area, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis praised organisers and participants for an "amazing spectacle.

"We're off to an incredible start and we have no doubt that this year will be even better than last year," he said. "Strengthen your Yiddishkeit, connect to your roots."

Speaking to the JC, Rabbi Mirvis described the atmosphere as "simply phenomenal. We have an amazing Jewish community and over Shabbat UK we see the best of everybody."

The idea behind the weekend was to "show communities that they can achieve something extraordinary".

He added that while the challot produced on the night were "tasty", none could match those made at home by his wife, which were "incredible - the best".

US Women co-chair Dalia Cramer and rebbetzin Joanne Dove led the challah makers through the production process. Amid the constant chatter, flying flour and regular playing of the Shabbat UK song, Hertsmere Jewish Primary teacher Michelle Pomerance reflected on the "amazing achievement" of bringing thousands of people together.

Ms Pomerance, who took part with her sister and mother, said: "We came last year, so we wanted to experience it again.

"We're doing a challah bake at my school and I'm leading it, so this is a test run. It's a great start to what I hope will be a great weekend for everybody."

Peter Albert, 45, from Edgware, attended with his family of eight, explaining: "I couldn't come last year, but the others had such a great time that I wanted to experience it myself. So I made a special effort and took the day off work. I can't get over how many people are here. This is the biggest Jewish event I've ever been to. It's great, because it's a shared endeavour and it brings everyone together."