The two and a half hour cook-off, with a 10 minute presentation from each of the finalists, will determine the winners from among the three teams representing some of the UK’s top catering colleges: Westminster Kingsway College, University College Birmingham and the University of West London.
Judges include competition founder Cyrus Todiwala, chef patron of Café Spice Namasté; Marcus Greg, executive chef at Hilton London Terminal 5; Andrew Bennett, executive chef at Sheraton Park Lane, Scottish chef and TV personality Tony Singh; Mahernosh Mody, head chef at La Porte des Indes; Alfred Prasad, head chef at Tamarind; and Vince Margiotta at Sumosan Restaurants.
A celebratory four-course meal created by Todiwala and his senior chef Manpreet Singh Ahuja will showcase Pan-Asian influences made from ingredients drawn from British farmers and producers.
Todiwala said: “It is all coming together now and I hope the gala dinner and awards night proves to be a fitting tribute to the fine talents who chose to enter the competition. I will do my best to prepare a dinner that showcases the best of Asian cuisine.
“Since we launched the Asian Junior Chefs Challenge in February, there has been great interest and excitement, for which I and the Master Chefs of Great Britain are so grateful.
“I’m especially delighted at the calibre of our judging panel and how each and everyone invited seized the opportunity to be involved. I really do want as many people as possible to join us in celebration. Then the work begins all over again for next year.”
The competition is sponsored by: Carisma, Cobra Beer, Hilton London Heathrow Terminal 5, Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, Oliver Harvey, Panasonic, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi, Ritu Wines, Schwartz and Tilda.
Tickets are now on sale for the dinner. For more information and to reserve a place, contact Sue McGeever at masterchefs@msn.com