Cyrus Todiwala encourages entries to Zest Quest Asia 2017 competition
Cyrus Todiwala, chef and co-owner of Café Spice Namasté, has encouraged young chefs to apply for the Zest Quest Asia 2017 competition.
Launched by Cyrus and his wife Pervin Todiwala in association with the Master Chefs of Great Britain, Zest Quest Asia was initially a response to immigration laws threatening to squeeze the diminishing pool of talent in authentic Asian cookery in Britain.
Last year's winners, from Milton Keynes College, enjoyed a culinary tour of Bangkok as their prize and previous years' winners, Westminster Kingsway College and Farnborough College, visited Mumbai and Sri Lanka respectively.
The competition aims to stimulate interest in pan-Asian cuisine among budding chefs, and to help stem the talent drain in authentic Asian cookery by up-skilling home-grown chefs.
With the approach of the fourth Zest Quest Asia contest in February 2017, the organisers have arranged another first prize trip to a culinary Asian destination.
The entry deadline is 4 November.
Todiwala said: "Zest Quest Asia is evolving beyond my wildest expectations and slowly but surely will become part of the psyche of food and catering educationalists. So I say to colleges out there who haven't yet fielded teams or submitted their entries for 2017, the time to do so is now. No other culinary competition in our industry challenges contestants as much nor rewards as generously. Previous winners have enjoyed positive life-changing experiences by learning more about food and its place in Asian culture."
Only students who hold permanent residency in the UK are eligible to enter the competition. For entry forms and more information, visit zestquestasia.com.
Milton Keynes College wins Zest Quest Asia 2016 >>
Cyrus Todiwala launches Zest Quest Asia contest >>
Latest video from The Caterer