Halal food is now on the menu for nurseries, businesses and social events across Birmingham thanks to an innovative catering service from social enterprise Enta.

The training provider used its own construction trainees and tutors to build a dedicated Halal Kitchen at its Mill Wharf centre and Enta CIC now offers on-site halal catering for conferences, as well as a halal food delivery service too.

Enta has already won a contract to supply a city nursery with halal food, while local businesses have also taken advantage of the new service. The facility means that the social enterprise can also cater for a full range of dietary requirements at conferences, parties, weddings and a range of other social events too.

Not only has the halal service expanded Enta's community offer, but building the bespoke kitchen enabled teenage construction trainees to gain valuable on-the-job experience, providing a high-quality facility while working to real deadlines.

Social Enterprise Development Manager at Enta, Pamela Wood, said: "We already have traditional conference catering facilities and Top Lock Café here at Mill Wharf, so the Halal Kitchen was a natural addition to our offer.

"Being able to use our trainees to build the dedicated kitchen area was great for everyone involved - it gave the teenagers essential work experience and allowed us to keep the build costs down. As a result, we can offer brilliant value for money so our customers really benefit too."

While setting up the service Enta asked members of staff who eat halal food to suggest popular family recipes. They then carried out numerous sampling and taste test sessions internally and with local businesses.

Among the most popular recipes are Lentil Tarka Dahl - a lentil curry made with a base of coriander and garlic - Chicken Rogan Josh, which is made with a tomato and onion-based sauce, and a chick pea with spices vegetarian option.

Halal means 'lawful' or 'permitted' in Arabic and refers to food that a Muslim is allowed to eat. For meat to be classed as halal, the animal has to be treated ethically during its life and the meat must remain out of contact with other foods while it is being prepared.

Pamela Wood added: "All of Enta's halal food comes from halal-registered butchers and suppliers, and is prepared in our dedicated kitchen away from all other food.

"Customers can be totally reassured that Enta's halal food is prepared to the highest possible standards and that's a big part of our Halal Kitchen's success."

Enta CIC is a Birmingham based social enterprise that provides real life chances for local people and transforms communities.