Sheffield College student triumphs at Zest Quest Asia

Tilda is thrilled to announce that Oliver Herrington from Sheffield College has won the Zest Quest Asia – Tilda Challenge Award 2021, with his Nagasaki ramen pork belly and handmade Tilda Basmati rice noodles. Zest Quest Asia founders Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala welcomed the student chef to the Tilda winner’s circle in this the eighth year of the competition.

Mentored by chef lecturer Andrew Gabbitas, Herrington prepared a Nagasaki ramen-marinated glazed pork belly served with langoustine, mussels and kamaboko, fried wood ear mushrooms with garlic and ginger broth, and handmade basmati rice noodles. The Sheffield College student said that he had been inspired by a Japanese dish created in 1899. The judges felt the dish went “above and beyond every part of the criteria” with its creativity, good flavour, texture and skill.

Cyrus Todiwala said: “This was one of the toughest competitions to judge in a long time. Each and every finalist wowed the judges with their sheer effort and talent, so regardless of there being only a few named winners, everyone deserves a pat on the back for a great job done.”

As the winner of the virtual spin-off, Herrington and Sheffield College will enjoy an exclusive masterclass with Cyrus Todiwala, trophy, chef knives and jacket, alongside plenty of Tilda goodies for the kitchen.