Zest Quest Asia launches 2018 competition

The fifth Zest Quest Asia is calling for entries following the launch of the competition at the annual PACE conference gala dinner at the Hilton Liverpool on 3 May.

Competition founder and chef Cyrus Todiwala told an audience of catering education representatives and lecturers that since the inauguration of Zest Quest Asia in 2013, over 50 colleges had expressed an interest in entering the competition with around 20 of these colleges going on to the cook-off.

This year, colleges have until 27 October to enter. The shortlist will be revealed in December, with the final cook-off and gala dinner to be held in February 2018 at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.

The competition aims to showcase the Asian food sector and is organised in collaboration with the Master Chefs of Great Britain.

Todiwala said: "With Zest Quest Asia, I want students to learn the depths of Asian food. The whole idea has been to captivate young minds and create geniuses in Asian cuisine. I had always hoped but never realised how the competition would grow. But I am here to urge all colleges to grab this chance not only to win a fabulous prize, but to be part of a movement that I hope will one day will see classical Asian cuisine on the curriculum."

Sue Kenyon, executive director of PACE, said: "I think Zest Quest Asia and the opportunity it has given catering students is just amazing. There was no way that students could have enjoyed that trip to Japan, and before that to Sri Lanka, India and Thailand, without Zest Quest Asia. They should seize the opportunity with both hands and enter the competition now."

To enter visit: www.zestquestasia.com

Zest Quest Asia winners big in Japan >>

University College Birmingham team wins Zest Quest Asia 2017 >>

Zest Quest Asia 2017 finalists announced >>

Videos from The Caterer archives

Are you looking for a new role? See all the current hospitality vacancies available with The Caterer Jobs