Zest Quest Asia Panasonic Challenge finalists announced

November 8, 2021

Apprentice Commis Chef at Cambridge Regional College, Alfie Alsop has reached the finals of the Zest Quest Asia Panasonic Autumn Challenge.

Following on from the popular Zest Quest Asia student culinary competition, Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala launched the first in a series of online challenges for Catering students. Sponsored by Panasonic, the Challenge required students to create an Asian inspired recipe that could be part prepared in a Panasonic professional combination oven.

Alfie said: “I have spent a lot of time watching BBC Good Food and I remember being about 12 when I first saw a chef prepare a Korean Bibimbap. At that moment I knew that I wanted to be able to prepare that dish and this competition seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

More than 20 students entered the Panasonic Challenge with an electronic submission of their recipe, preparation method and explanation for their choice of dish. Alfie was selected as one of three students to progress to the final stage of the challenge, in which the finalists must prepare their dish on camera before creating a video submission demonstrating the skills and techniques used during their preparation.

Chef Lecturer, Anthony Dunball, said: “A competition of this nature is a fantastic opportunity for learners such as Alfie to further develop their skills outside normal college teaching. This also enables Alfie to meet new people, discover new processes and build on his self-confidence.”

The winning student will receive a Panasonic combination microwave oven for his or her college, as well as a Santoku knife and £50 Russums voucher for themselves and their lecturer. The two runners-up will receive a commercial rice cooker for their respective colleges, along with a Santoku knife and £25 Russums voucher for themselves and their lecturer. The winner will be announced later this month.