The six finalists have just been announced for the 2024 Zest Quest Asia competition! Entries were plentiful and standards were high but after paper entries were scrupulously judged, six student teams have been chosen to compete at this year’s esteemed event. Going through to the final cook-off, to be held at the University of West London, on 27th February are Cheshire College South & West, Loughborough College, North Hertfordshire College, The Sheffield College, University College Birmingham and New College Durham. As a long-time sponsor, and taking the Headline spot this year, Tilda Foodservice is proud to be a dedicated advocate of Zest Quest Asia’s mission to inspire and champion young…
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Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, chef patron of landmark Indian restaurant, Café Spice Namaste, and co-founder with Pervin Todiwala of Zest Quest Asia, has been busy encouraging friends and associates in industry and education to support the student finalists of Zest Quest Asia at the competition’s eleventh gala dinner and awards night in February next year. Since launching Zest Quest Asia 2024, interest has flowed in from colleges across the UK and, following an ‘Upskill Day’ run by Zest Quest Asia director Murray Chapman, for the second year running, a college from Scotland, Highland College, has fielded a team; a sure sign that the competition is gaining traction north of the…
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Not strictly anything to do with curry (although they make a very acceptable Samosa Pie) but I wanted to give a shout out to the people who make these fantastic pies. I moved to Yorkshire a little over a year ago and was lucky enough to find them online. We’ve since ordered 3 or 4 times (they sell in packs of six) and have tried pretty much every pie they have. I would recommend a taster box is they way to go, they cater for all, both meat eaters and vegans / vegetarians. I am happy with either so would say my personal favourites so far are the Steak and…
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It’s always nice when someone gives you a present, so today my friend Gary brought in some of his homemade Scotch Bonnet & Mango Sauce. So we immediately hot footed it off to Lily’s to buy some of their excellent samosas to give it a taste test. Here’s what we thought: WOW – you certainly get a kick from the Scotch Bonnets but this is well balanced by the sweet mango making this a perfect dipping sauce with the samosas. It doesn’t have that overly sickly sweet taste that some mass produced sauces have, but a clean, hot taste and pours easily from the bottle. So it’s a great sauce,…
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Tilda has just been announced as Zest Quest Asia’s headline sponsor for the 2024 competition. As seasoned supporters of Zest Quest Asia, providing gold sponsorship each year since the competition’s inception, Tilda is proud to be taking the headline sponsorship slot for the 2024 competition and in doing so, demonstrates a strong commitment to community and education. Founded by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, with the Master Chefs of Great Britain, Zest Quest Asia’s mission has always been to inspire ambitious student chefs to embrace the myriad cuisines of Asia. Now in its 11th year, the competition seeks out six finalist teams of UK based student chefs to compete at the…
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Introduction to Indian Breads When it comes to Indian cuisine, the rich tapestry of flavors, textures, and aromas is truly a feast for the senses. And at the heart of this diverse and delicious cuisine, you’ll find a delightful array of Indian breads. Whether you’re a fan of fiery curries,…
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While Indian restaurant names can vary widely, there are some common themes and elements that often appear in the names of Indian restaurants in the UK. Here’s a list of some of the most common types: These are some of the common themes and elements you’ll find in Indian restaurant…
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Naan bread is one of those things that many people buy from the supermarket but if you have the time and can be bothered, it’s worth making your own as they taste much nicer. I had to have a few goes to get them how I wanted them but now they are my go to…
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A sweet and sour Persian dish of medium heat. Some curry houses may make this dish hotter however, so be careful when ordering.
Lemon is used to achieve the sour taste, while other fruits may be used to make the dish sweet. In the absence of fruit, sugar will be used to obtain the sweetness.
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So a few days ago I was asked to give some comments on Nadiya’s Simple Spices by the team at BBC’s Points of View. I must have talked a load of rubbish because I didn’t make the programme but more importantly I did buy the recipe book! Anyway enough waffle, here’s what I thought of the programme (I’ve not cooked any recipes yet). “Nadiya’s Simple Spices” is a delightful and educational television program that brings a fresh perspective to the world of cooking with spices. Hosted by the talented and charismatic Nadiya Hussain, this show is based on the premise of her personal “art masala” spice mix and demonstrates the…
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