shortage in authentic Asian culinary skills. This year, the competition attracted a record 18 entries from colleges from across the UK, with six making the final cut: besides Farnborough College of Technology and The Sheffield College, entries were fielded by Westminster Kingsway College, last year’s winners; University College Birmingham; University of West London and Doncaster College.
Deborah Nolan, Head of School at Farnborough College of Technology, who attended the dinner with college Catering Programme Manager Gwen Grace, said, ‘We are elated because it is such an honour to get this prestigious award. The students lived and breathed the competition for several weeks and they learned so much about Asian cuisine and from working with each other.’
Cyrus Todiwala said, ‘I am so delighted at the turnout for Zest Quest Asia this year, in terms of the number of colleges that entered the competition and the wealth of sponsorship from industry we were able to attract.
“We could not have done it without the passion and diligence of the students and their tutors as well as the support of forward looking college heads who believe in what we are trying to achieve - a pipeline of young homegrown cooks who truly appreciate, understand and have the ability to prepare food in an authentic Asian style, drawing on classical Asian techniques. They are the future of our industry.”
