Zest Quest Asia 2026 entries open

Zest Quest Asia, the student cooking competition founded by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, has opened entries for its 2026 edition.

Prospective competitors in the Asian cuisine contest have until Friday 5 December to enter.

Collage teams who register their interest by 31 October 2025 will be able to attend tutorials by Cyrus and Steve Munkley, Zest Quest Asia chairman of judges, on 3 November 2025.

The first prize in the competition, now in its 13th year, is an all-expenses-pai,d week-long trip to a surprise Asian destination. This year’s winners, Loughborough College, are heading to Hong Kong, where they will experience traditional street food and visit food markets as well as participating in interactive cooking sessions.

There is no age limit to entry, although competitors must be permanent residents of the UK and be in full-time education, in line with Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala’s original intention to recognise and nurture ‘homegrown’ talent.

Student teams will progress through the competition in stages, and those in the semi-final will be asked to submit a menu comprising four Asian courses – an amuse bouche, starter, main course and dessert – using ingredients provided by gold sponsors Lee Kum Kee and Tilda Rice. They will also need to demonstrate the use of various cooking combinations using a Panasonic NE-C1275 combination microwave in their entries.

Finalists will go on to the knowledge presentation and live cook-off at the University of West London over two days in April 2026, with the winners revealed at a Gala Dinner and Awards Night hosted at Hilton London Wembley on 10 April 2026.

Cyrus said: “From humble beginnings, Zest Quest Asia has grown into one of the most prestigious student competitions in the country. But we realise that entering competitions may not be included in a college’s budget, so we’re overjoyed that this year, once again, the Worshipful Company of Cooks will be offering financial assistance to colleges and students who reach the finals but need support to meet the expenses involved.

“My message to students, parents, lecturers and college managers is don’t hesitate to get involved. As we have said for the past 13 years – competing is only the beginning.”

Also on the 2026 panel of judges are chefs Clive Roberts, Sarah Hartnett, Mario Perera, Nick Wort, Dave Boland, and first-time judge Arran Redman-Schaffer.

To register your interest in Zest Quest Asia 2026, contact Cora Strachan at cora@365-events.co.uk