Chef News is sponsored by the the Kitchen Porters Club
Students from eight UK colleges will be competing in the finals of Zest Quest Asia, where the overall winning team is destined for Asia, and an educational trip of a lifetime.
Setting their sights on the prestigious main prize, the finalists from Edinburgh College, Loughborough College, Milton Keynes College, New College Durham, North Hertfordshire College, The Sheffield College, University College Birmingham, and University of West London must now prove their prowess in Asian cuisine in the challenging final round.
Having hurdled the semi-finals of the student culinary competition, designed to elevate the knowledge and understanding of Asian cookery, the students, comprising three to a team, will be expected to excel in a knowledge presentation and live cook-off set for 3rd and 4th April, respectively. The winners will be announced during a gala dinner to be held at the Hilton London Wembley, while the University of West London has once again offered its training kitchens for the live cook-off.
To reach the finals, each team was asked to create a 5-minute video illustrating why they had chosen their particular Asian menu and offering a preview of their four-course menu entry, with the display of actual dishes an option. During the finals, menus will have to incorporate product from headline sponsor Lee Kum Kee, and gold sponsors Tilda Foodservice and Kerrymaid, with three cooking combinations using a Panasonic combination microwave oven also a requirement. Other gold sponsors are Tokyo College of Sushi and Washoku, London, Hilton London Wembley and Bidfood.
Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL FIH, chef owner of Café Spice Namaste who co-founded Zest Quest Asia in 2013 with Pervin Todiwala and the support of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, said, “In several Asian cultures, eight is considered a lucky number so we’re delighted that this year for the first time we have chosen eight finalist teams who will vie for the big prize. Which among them is going to enjoy our secret first prize destination? We will know soon enough this April, but in the meantime, there is so much to play for – and there are other great rewards in store.
“This year’s entries include dishes from Japan, Korea, Persia, Singapore, Vietnam, India and Thailand. The inspiration is palpable; may the best team win. In our uncertain world, I am heartened to see how food remains a great unifier, bridging the gap between cultures and fostering goodwill and kindness. Please join us as we celebrate the finalists and their talent and ambition at our Gala Dinner and Awards Evening on Friday, 4th April at the Hilton London Wembley.”
The Zest Quest Asia 2025 Gala Dinner and Awards Evening will take place at the Hilton London Wembley, Lakeside Way, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0BU on Friday, 4th April 2025 from 6pm – 10.30pm. Tables of 10 cost £1,000 and individual tickets cost £110. For more information and to book tickets, visit here.
Chef News is sponsored by the the Kitchen Porters Club
