What happens when a team of young chefs takes on four countries, the cost-of-living crisis, and the challenge of capturing Asian flavours using local UK ingredients?
Meet the finalists from University College Birmingham, who share how they combined Japanese, Singaporean, Malaysian and Pakistani dishes into a single, powerful menu. With roots in sustainability, bold cultural research, and sheer commitment (yes, they stayed on campus through the holidays to practise), their story is as inspiring as it is ambitious.
They reflect on why understanding a country’s food means diving into its history, what they learned about flavour, identity and compromise – and how competitions like this shape future chefs.
🎓 Finalist College: University College Birmingham
🌏 Countries Covered: Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Pakistan
💬 Topics: Cultural awareness, sustainability, cost-of-living, teamwork
🎙️ Brought to you by Talking Hospitality – real stories, bold insights, future leaders
📍 Recorded at Zest Quest Asia 2024
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