Finalists announced for Zest Quest Asia 2023

Six student teams will be competing at the Zest Quest Asia 2023 finals on 17 February.

Cheshire College South & West, North Hertfordshire College, UHI North Highland College (Dornoch), the Sheffield College, University College Birmingham and the University of West London were selected through to the first stage of judging.

They will be battling it out at the live cook-off, which will take place in a college (London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism of the University of West London) for the first time.

Each team will also be examined on their understanding of the Asian cultures influencing their menu through a closed-door presentation to the board of judges, which will be headed by Steve Munkley, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs.

The winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner and Awards Night at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre London Heathrow later that day.

First prize includes a seven to 10 day educational trip to an Asian destination; educational trips to Italy and France courtesy of Tilda and Grande Cuisine Academy; an undercounter Meiko dishwasher; and a Panasonic combination oven.

There will also be prizes for least food wasted and the flavour pairing challenge, which have been pledged by McCormick Flavour Solutions. The winners of these categories will be invited to a meal at a sustainable restaurant as well as the company’s Peterborough factory.

This year marks ten years since Zest Quest Asia was founded by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala with the support of the Master Chefs of Great Britain.

Cyrus said: “The judges and I were blown away by the standard of the entries this year, which proves that colleges are now truly nurturing student chefs who are out to learn and excel in their craft and win tough competitions like Zest Quest Asia.

“Good luck to all the finalists. You’ll find it was worth competing. Great prizes await you all. Indeed, our current winners have just been enjoying an epic week-long trip to the Philippines courtesy of Don Papa Rum.”