The culinary competition aims to push the usual boundaries by placing technology at its centerpiece. Students, working individually with the support of their college tutor, will be invited to design and create a dish inspired by authentic Asian tastes, textures and flavours while using Panasonic’s commercial combination microwave to perform the functions associated with traditional cookery methods.

Cyrus Todiwala said: “We were delighted when Panasonic approached us with this great idea to be headline sponsor of the Zest Quest Asia – Panasonic Autumn Challenge. It just shows the value the industry continues to place on our competition which has helped lift the profile of Asian cuisine among budding chefs.

“We are looking forward to a great response to Zest Quest Asia’s latest online competition from both students and their lecturers. The experience of competing can only help pave the way to a promising future for our young chefs, especially as we emerge from lockdown.”

The first round will require the submission of a recipe highlighting at least three stages of preparation where microwave oven technology can be substituted for traditional cooking methods, as well as the posting on social media of the finished dish (not necessarily cooked in microwave).

Three finalists will be chosen to go forward to the second round, whereupon Panasonic will supply each finalist with a combination microwave oven at their college so that recipes can be fine-tuned to work using the ovens. The finalists must then create videos of themselves making their dishes and submit these to the panel of judges.

The winning student will receive a Panasonic combination microwave for their college as well as a Santoku knife and a £50 Russums voucher (for the lecturer as well). The two runner up students will win a commercial rice cooker for their respective colleges, as well as a Santoku knife and a £25 Russums voucher each for themselves and their lecturer.

Barnaby Sykes, head of category marketing at Panasonic Europe, added: “The past year has been tough for everyone but we were heartened to see how many entries came through for the online contests that the Zest Quest Asia team have been running through lockdown and we wanted to add our backing to their cause.

“It was a true demonstration of how passionate these young chefs are and we think our Autumn Challenge will test their mettle a little further with the added dimension of technology in the mix.”

The Zest Quest Asia- Panasonic Autumn Challenge is open to full-time students with UK residency status. Entries for the culinary competition open on 20 August and close on 17 September 2021. For more information visit here.