Now in its fourteenth year, the competition gives talented culinary students from colleges across the UK the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills in Asian cuisine, with the winning college team set to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime educational and cultural trip to Asia.
Aspiring competitors simply need to register their interest by 30 October 2026, with final entries closing on 4 December 2026. Following the semi-final round, the finalists will be announced on 24 February 2027, ahead of the Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner and Awards Night at Hilton London Wembley on 23 April 2027.
Founded in 2013 by Cyrus Todiwala OBE FIH and Pervin Todiwala, Zest Quest Asia aims to raise the profile of Asian food and cuisine among culinary students in Britain. More than 230 students have taken part since the competition began, with previous winners travelling to destinations including Mumbai, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and, most recently, Hong Kong.
The 2026 champions, The Sheffield College, enjoyed a seven-day culinary and cultural experience in Hong Kong, including a visit to Lee Kum Kee Europe’s flagship production plant in Mainland China.
Speaking about the launch of the 2027 competition, co-founder Cyrus Todiwala said the ambition of Zest Quest Asia is to “spread the knowledge of the various Asian cuisines to budding chefs in colleges across the UK” and inspire the next generation to explore Asian cookery.
Find out more about Zest Quest Asia 2027 at www.zestquestasia.com.
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