The Sheffield College takes top prize at Zest Quest Asia 2024

The Sheffield College has been announced as the worthy winners of Zest Quest Asia 2024 at its celebratory Gala Dinner & Awards Night held at the Hilton London Wembley hotel on Tuesday 27th February 2024.  Guests included college, industry and media representatives who gathered to support Zest Quest Asia in its mission to secure homegrown chefs for the future, who are proficient in Asian cuisine.

Six student teams from colleges across the UK competed for the coveted Zest Quest Asia crown.  All teams performed to a high standard, displaying outstanding talent and skill in the execution of their Asian inspired menus, but alas, there could only be one winner.

Following a detailed menu presentation, a challenging, live, four course cook-off was held at The University of West London.  After scrupulous judging The Sheffield College triumphed with their amazing contemporary Filipino influenced menu -  as 2022 Zest Quest Asia winners, their previous prize visit to the Philippines provided much inspiration!! 

Sheffield College lecturer Andy Gabbitas mentored the winning team: Phoebe Tuttle, Beth Brewster and Joe Defries, who produced an accomplished menu which featured an amuse bouche of Portobello Mushroom Sisig served in a croustade basket, a starter of Tapsilog; creatively using the three elements of beef, garlic fried Tilda basmati rice and cured egg yolk, followed by a main course of Chicken Adobo accompanied by sweet white onions, green beans in a caramelised soy with crunchy annatto peanuts and a topping of Banana Ketchup.  To finish, a dessert of Ube Ice Cream; derived from the vibrant purple yam, crowned with a crunchy, deep fried, caramelised Turon with a Don Papa Rum infused caramel sauce.