The objective of the Challenge is to dare student chefs to design and create a dish inspired by authentic Asian tastes, textures and flavours while drawing on the capacity of Panasonic’s commercial combination microwave to perform the functions associated with traditional Asian cookery methods (e.g. toasting, steaming).
Zest Quest Asia – Panasonic Autumn Challenge
Rules and Entry Requirements
The Zest Quest Asia – Panasonic Autumn Challenge is now open for entries.
The objective of the Challenge is to dare student chefs to design and create a dish inspired by authentic Asian tastes, textures and flavours while drawing on the capacity of Panasonic’s commercial combination microwave to perform the functions associated with traditional Asian cookery methods (e.g. toasting, steaming).
In this way, the competition will also showcase the versatility of a combination microwave by preparing and cooking an authentic Asian dish but, you must demonstrate how you could replace at least three stages in the recipe using a combination microwave instead of traditional methods of cooking. This is an individual, not team, competition.
Info: You can toast spices instead of using a frying pan, fully cook or heat up sauce instead of using a saucepan, grill and brown meat, fish and vegetables instead of using a salamander, cook instead of using an oven, steam and poach, all using a combination microwave.
Prize: The winning student will receive a Panasonic combination microwave for their college, as well as a Santoku knife and a £50 Russums voucher each for themselves and their lecturer. Two runner-up students will win a commercial rice cooker for their respective colleges, as well as a Santoku knife and a £25 Russums voucher each for themselves and their lecturer.
Competition Rules:
1. In the first instance, it is expected that you will have researched the capabilities of a commercial combination microwave, in particular, the Panasonic oven: https://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/professional-cooking/accelerated-cooking/ne-c1275bpq.html
2. First round. There are two elements to this round of the Challenge:
I. Theory submission (Deadline – Friday, 17th September): a paper entry must be submitted by email ([email protected]) to the judges containing the full recipe, ingredients and method for a starter or main course or dessert for an authentic Asian dish. The recipe should highlight at least three stages of preparation where a combination microwave could have been used in place of traditional cooking methods. For example, instead of grilling chicken satay skewers under a salamander, the skewers are placed in the microwave and cooked for 30 seconds or until slightly charred on the grill setting
II. Social Media posting (Deadline – Friday, 17th September): a photograph of the finished dish must be posted to either:
Twitter, tagging @panasonic_pro / @passion2inspire / @zestquestasia
Facebook, tagging @zestquestasia and @passion2inspire
Instagram, tagging @zestquestasia and @passion2inspire
In all cases, use the hash tag #ZestQuestAsiaPanasonicAutumnChallenge.
NOTE: At this stage, the dish does not need to have been prepared using a combination microwave
3. Second round. After the first round of judging, three finalists will be shortlisted and announced on Friday, 24th September. Each finalist will receive a Panasonic combination microwave to their college for the purpose of the second round. This is where the theory becomes practice, and your original recipes should be fine-tuned to work using a Panasonic combination microwave oven. 40% or your marks will be allocated to the use of the combination oven, with 60% being given to the creation of your dish. Once complete, you should video yourself making your recipe and email ([email protected]) the video for judging and a final winner will be chosen. (Deadline for video submission – Friday, 15th October). The video of your recipe should be no longer than 10 minutes in length, plus a brief introduction of yourselves and your dish. NOTE: The quality of the video production will not be judged, but your understanding of the use of the oven and its capabilities
4. The winning student will get to keep their oven for their college and the two runners up will have theirs collected and replaced with a Panasonic commercial rice cooker for their colleges.
Summary of Timeline:
- Competition open for entries – Friday, 20th August 2021
- Deadline for Submissions (Theory/Photo on Social Media) – Friday, 17th September 2021
- 3 Finalists Announced – Friday, 24th September 2021
- Closing Date for Video Submissions – Friday, 15th October 2021
- Announcement of Winners – Friday, 29th October 2021