Tickets are now available for the 6th Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner and Awards Night to be held on Friday, 8th February 2019 at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 (Hilton T5). BBC Radio 2 food and drink broadcaster Nigel Barden will emcee the evening, with legendary chef Ken Hom OBE a special guest.
The event is the culmination of a 6-month search for the new Zest Quest Asia champions. Earlier in the day, teams from six colleges would have competed in a cook-off, helping to fulfil the aims of a competition — founded by restaurateurs Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala in collaboration with the Master Chefs of Great Britain – designed to spark interest and develop knowledge of Asian cookery among ‘home grown’ student chefs. The finalist colleges are Colchester Institute, Farnborough College of Technology, New City College, North Hertfordshire College, University of West London, and Westminster Kingsway College.
The Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner and Awards Night will kick off with a drinks reception featuring Asian-inspired canapes prepared by students of the University of West London, the current Zest Quest Asia champions. It will be followed by a tantalising 5-course Goan-influenced dinner created by Zest Quest Asia founder, Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, assisted by chef friends and highlighting local British produce.
For the first course, Cyrus has concocted a seafood platter of Jersey Royale oysters in ginger and soy, Fofos de Langostina (rice balls filled with langoustine and fried in semolina), and a medley of steamed whelks, mussel and crab meat with coconut, pineapple, grapefruit in a chilli and garlic mayonnaise.
Salmao em Folha de Banana (Loch Duart salmon marinated gently, wrapped in banana leaf, with rice and baked) follows before guests tuck into a rice-redolent main course of Rhug Estates Beef Kheema Palav (Curried beef mince cooked with rice and steamed), Asa de Frango Enrolada em Arroz Frita (Chicken wing, part-boned, wrapped in rice) and KellyBronze Turkey Kibbeh (Spiced turkey minced with rice and baked). Granny Gothard Devilish Chocolate Sorbet serves as a pre-dessert before the dinner ends with a flourish: Chef Jerome Dreux of Town & Country Fine Foods’ Crater of Mango and Coconut with Mango and Raspberry Coulis.
Cyrus Todiwala said, ‘I hope as many people as possible will come to the Zest Quest Asia 2019 Gala Dinner and Awards Night. It’s going to be a great evening, celebrating skills and ambition, and we’re also planning a truly interesting menu to support the students, their colleges, parents and friends on the night. Of course, there will be the announcement of the first prize Asian destination at the end of the night.’
Nigel Barden said, ’I’m so looking forward to hosting Zest Quest Asia. Not only is it a fabulous opportunity to showcase talented young Asian chefs, who’ve reached the final of the competition, but also to spend time in the company of Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, who are marvellous ambassadors for the food and drink industry. It’ll be an evening of celebration, excellent food and great banter. No wonder I’m excited at the prospect!’
Zest Quest Asia 2019 enjoys significant support from industry. Sponsors include Hilton, Castelnau, Koppert Cress, Patriarche, Regale, Robot Coupe, Meiko and Tilda.
Tickets are now on sale for the Gala Dinner and Awards Night
£85 pp and £750 for a table of 10
Contact assistant.cyrus@gmail.com
