Taking place at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 on 12 February, the event will see Cyrus, Pervin and the Master Chefs of Great Britain announce this year’s Zest Quest Asia winners, as they aim to “demystify Asian food and cooking.”

Open to full-time, permanent UK resident catering students, this year’s finalists include: Colchester Institute, North Hertfordshire College, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield College, University of West London and Westminster Kingsway College. They will go head-to-head in a cook-off held at the Hilton T5’s signature restaurant, Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, with the winner announced at the gala.

Cyrus said: “I am truly touched by the interest and participation of industry in Zest Quest Asia. It’s in everyone’s interest that Britain develops and retains talent in Asian cuisine.

“The global demand for Asian food will only grow but the question is, are we, in Britain, equipped to respond to this demand? Apart from opening up a whole new culinary world to competitors, Zest Quest Asia is a small but vital step in that direction.”

On sale now, tickets for the 2018 Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner and Awards Night cost £80 per person or £700 for a table of 10. This includes a drinks reception, Japanese-inspired canapés created by Zest Quest Asia 2017 champions, University College Birmingham, and the four-course dinner with wines.

Cyrus added: “Those attending our Gala Dinner will be helping to ensure that Zest Quest Asia can develop into a real industry force. I do hope people will come, enjoy the food and wine, and honour the challengers, winners, their families and everyone else who has worked so hard to get the competition to where it is today.”

Tickets can be purchased by emailing Nitin Kapoor via [email protected].