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Cyrus Todiwala
17th January 2020

Cyrus Todiwala unveils Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner Menu

Written by: Edward Waddell
Cyrus Todiwala has announced the contents of the four-course menu designed for the seventh Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner and Awards Night.

The awards night will take place on 7 February 2020 at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal Five. The menu has been inspired by Goan-Portuguese culinary traditions. 

Zest Quest Asia was founded in 2013 by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala to help cultivate talent, knowledge and understanding of Asian cuisines. Six colleges have advanced to the final including Loughborough College, New City College, Sheffield College, University of West London, University College Birmingham and North Hertfordshire College.

Cyrus Todiwala said: “I’ve prepared a menu that I hope attendees of our seventh Zest Quest Asia Gala Dinner & Awards Night will find both nourishing and captivating. 

“It is an intricate combination of East meets West, using some very fine quality, seasonal ingredients. In the end, the evening is a celebration and I hope my menu will be judged worthy of all the effort and commitment put in by the colleges and students, as well as the suppliers and sponsors who have thrown their weight behind Zest Quest Asia. I owe it to them, just as the finalists owe it to themselves to do their best to win this competition.”

Before the Gala Dinner the 2019 Zest Quest Asia champions University of West London will host the drinks reception. The canapés will feature flavours drawn from their recent prize-winning trip to the Philippines. 

Tilda UK are supplying the rice for the evening’s menu and they are also sponsoring the prize for the college team who demonstrates the ‘best use of rice’ during the competition. 

Annette Coggins, head of foodservice at Tilda UK, added: “Rice plays such an important role in Asian cookery. Zest Quest Asia plays a crucial role in promoting the vibrant world of Asian cuisine and we’re passionate about encouraging young chefs to create flavourful Asian inspired dishes.” 

First course: 

  • ESTILO DE BOMBAIYYA CREMEU A GALINHA EN PASTELARIA: Bombay style creamed chicken in puff pastry.  
  • SMOKED DUCK AND HAGGIS SAMOSA WITH RICE KEDGREE CROQUETTE: Croquette of Arbroath Smoked Haddock blended with rice. 

Second course: 

  • PARSEE LAMB BIRYANI PATTICE: Parsee style Lamb biryani patty filled with the lamb.  
  • QUEIJO COUVE ARROZ E COGUMELO COM FOLHA DE BANANA: Banana leaf filled with cauliflower, rice cheese & mushrooms with mixed nuts and sultanas.  
  • TURKEY CHAAZAAN: Shredded turkey tossed with glass noodles seasoned with garlic, soy, red chilli oil, coriander and soy. 

Main course: 

  • FEIJOADA COM ARROZ: Hot Portuguese chorizo with kidney beans blended with Goan style pork stew and rice. 
  • TART OF WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY CURRY DE COCO VERDE CLARO: Quenelle of Light green coconut curry. 

Pre-dessert sorbet:

  • Sour cherry.  

Dessert: 

  • Dessert by chef Jerome Dreux.  

Tickets cost £90 per person or £850 for a table of ten. Book at www.zestquestasia.org