Going forward to the final are student teams from Cheshire College South & West, Loughborough College, New College Durham, North Hertfordshire College, The Sheffield College and University College Birmingham.

Chefs will now be challenged to demonstrate their ability to prepare a four-course Asian-inspired menu as well as proving they have the knowledge and understanding of the deeper culture behind their chosen dishes. Students must use a product from headline sponsor Tilda Rice and a Panasonic combination oven must feature in the process of creating their menu.

The final will consist of two-parts: a 15-minute knowledge presentation to be held on 26th February at the Hilton London Wembley, followed by a live cook off on 27th February. The winners will visit an Asian country for a ‘culinary trip of a lifetime’.

Todiwala said: “The judges and I can’t wait to see the extent of the finalists’ talent and ambition during the cook-offs and also how much knowledge of Asian food they can pack into their presentations.

“Steve Munkley, our chair of judges, and I held tutorials with the college lecturers and tutors before the students submitted their entries, so we know these teams have the support they need to succeed in this rigorous competition.

“When we say that everyone wins just by competing in Zest Quest Asia, we mean that sincerely because these student chefs will learn so much more about Asian tastes, flavours and techniques than they could ever have dreamed of. Zest Quest Asia is only the beginning.”

Zest Quest Asia was launched in 2013 by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala with the support of the Master Chefs of Great Britain.

Tickets for the Gala Dinner and Awards Night (27th February) are now on sale priced at £110pp, or £1,000 per table of ten, and include the drinks reception and 3-course dinner with wines.