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16th June 2023

Zest Quest Asia hosts Upskill Day to ‘inspire’ young chefs

Written by: Edward Waddell
Eleven colleges, 42 students and 20 lecturers were on site attending the Zest Quest Asia Upskill Day as well as over 30 colleges and over 2,000 people watching online.

Colleges attending on the day included New Suffolk College, Lincoln College, New Durham College, University College Birmingham, Doncaster College, NCC Redbridge, Leeds City College, Suffolk New College, Kirklees College, Eastleigh College, Colchester Institute and finalists from Springboard /Future Chef 2023.

Murray Chapman, founder of A Passion To Inspire, said: “The adventure we all went on was wonderful - the passionate understanding of food from the all chefs and wine and sake experts we had the privilege of having the legend Steve Munkley, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs also discussing the importance of taste, smell and texture with the chefs – to explain to all involved.

“One of the great things about all the chefs cooking and tasting today is that they are all different with their creative skills which is the brilliant thing about our industry. Everyone with us on the day – both in the room and online, had their taste buds and imagination taken to a new level. This shows how wonderful hospitality is as there is no limit to what you can achieve within your career development.”

Chefs attending the event were Cyrus Todiwala, Mark Poynton, Chef Akemi, Jessica Parker, James Read, Hiroko Nishitani and Ed Keith.

Todiwala added: “For me handing the torch to younger, better torch bearers has always been a passion. Not training adequately would leave our industry starved of talent especially as we see that Britain is finally riding the waves with its high culinary standards and multiple cuisine disciplines. For this to move forward and for the younger generation to succeed in life, we must give them every opportunity to learn, thrive, succeed and excel in their craft.”

Watch the Upskill Day here.