A Cheshire college with a campus in Crewe is elated after its students won an award at a professional cooking competition - designed to appreciate Asian cuisine.

Cheshire College – South & West's Hospitality and Catering students won the Spice it Up with Schwartz Prize at the Zest Quest Asia 2023 competition on Friday 17 February.

Level 3 Professional Cookery students Alena Bishdary, Finn Kinsella and James Parker, all from Ellesmere Port, qualified for the finals in January 2023, after an intensely competitive shortlisting process. 

A Cheshire college with a campus in Crewe is elated after its students won an award at a professional cooking competition - designed to appreciate Asian cuisine (Ryan Parker).

Zest Quest Asia has been an established culinary competition for a decade, celebrating the creativity, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Asian cuisine.

In preparation for the finals, the team created a bespoke Sri Lankan-inspired menu.

The live cook-off took place at the Radison Red London Heathrow during a Gala Awards Dinner.

The team's dishes were presented to a board of judges, headed by Steve Munkley, vice president of the Craft Guild of Chefs. 

As winners in the Spice it Up with Schwartz category, the team will receive a tour of McCormick's Factory.

McCormick's is famed for its spice, mix and sauce manufacturing, and the Cheshire College team will also get sensory experience with McCormick's as part of their prize. 

The Mutton & Herb Roll, Chilli Tamarind Dip dish (Cheshire College - South & West).

Lecturer, Adam Gaunt-Evans, said the team's success was a "testament to their determination, hard work and creativity.

"Professional cookery competitions are an exercise in focus and precision, and the team did Cheshire College proud.

"They presented some really incredible dishes to the board of judges, and we couldn't be happier with how things went."

Assistant Director of Hair, Beauty and Hospitality, Andrea Huby, said: "We are absolutely delighted for Alena, Finn, James and Lecturer Adam.

"They have all worked so hard and it definitely paid dividends at the finals.

"We get to see our student's talents and skills every day, so it's hugely rewarding to see it recognised by Zest Quest Asia too."

The Egg Hopper, Spinach Daal, Lunu Meris and Seeni Sambal dish (Cheshire College - South & West).

Full Zest Quest Asia Menu

Amuse

Mutton & Herb Roll, Chilli Tamarind Dip.

Starter

Egg Hopper, Spinach Daal, Lunu Meris, Seeni Sambal.

Main

Rice & Curry, Kaha Bath, Miris Malu, Ala Thel Dhala, Brinjal Moju, Pol Sambol.

Dessert

Curd & Treacle, Burnt Passion Fruit Cream, Achcharu, Kithul Treacle.

Cheshire College - South & West, Dane Bank Avenue, is now accepting applications for September 2023 (Ryan Parker).

Hospitality students at Cheshire College can refine their skills through their involvement with the award-winning Academy West restaurants, based at the Crewe and Ellesmere Port campuses.

The Crewe college is now accepting applications for September 2023 for those interested in studying a diverse range of subjects.