Zest Quest Asia 2019 finalists announced

Six colleges have been announced as the finalists for the Zest Quest Asia 2019 competition.

Moving forward to the final cook off in February are: Colchester Institute, Farnborough College of Technology, New City College, North Hertfordshire College, University of West London, and Westminster Kingsway College.

The colleges will battle it out at Mr Todiwala's Kitchen at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 on 8 February 2019 and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner the same night.

The overall winners, comprising a team of three students and their tutor, will enjoy an educational and cultural trip of a lifetime to a major Asian city.

There are also a number of additional prizes including sponsored tours, masterclasses and other immersive activities where they can learn more about the techniques and produce found in Asian cookery and cuisine.

Zest Quest Asia was founded in 2013 by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala in collaboration with the Master Chefs of Great Britain. Since then, more than 100 colleges have entered the competition, which aims to raise the profile of Asian cuisine among aspirant student chefs.

Cyrus Todiwala OBE said: "One of the difficulties of judging a rigorous competition like Zest Quest Asia is we get some truly impressive entries and it's a challenge for us judges to come up with a shortlist. But my fellow judges and I would like to thank and express our admiration for all the colleges that submitted entries as this showed their ambition to go beyond what is sometimes expected of them. Best of luck and congratulations to the finalists. We expect great things from all of you in February next year."

Tickets are now on sale for the Gala Dinner and Awards Night. £85pp and £750 for a table of 10. Contact assistant.cyrus@cafespice.co.uk

University of West London wins Zest Quest Asia 2018 >>

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