WKC students Sam Jones, Theophil Dalton Maag and Nathan Gayle saw off competition from teams fielded by University College Birmingham and University of West London, to win.
Founded by Cyrus Todiwala, chef patron of Café Spice Namasté, and the Master Chefs of Great Britain, the competition was designed to raise awareness and interest in Asian cuisine among home grown aspiring chefs, and this year’s finalists were praised for their efforts.
The Westminster Kingsway team impressed the judges with its four-course Pan-Asian dinner and 10-minute oral presentation, both of which proved their knowledge and understanding of various aspects of Asian cuisine, and particularly its commitment to sustainability.
Judges were also keen to praise the strengths of the other finalists: the UCB team – Samina Gul, Hassan Vinhani and Greg Situnayake, was acclaimed for its imaginative ‘Spice Trail’ theme, while the UWL team – Manesh Komal, Neel Shah and Fern Lough, was praised for its dessert.
The winners were awarded a 10-day culinary and learning tour through key cities in India, courtesy of sponsors Panasonic, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi and Ritu Wines.
Prior to the dinner, the Master Chefs of Great Britain announced that the competition would continue in 2014 under its new brand, Zest Quest Asia.