April 15, 2026 - 249 views
Three talented young chefs from Coleg Llandrillo have made history—and brought home top honours—after reaching the finals of a prestigious UK-wide culinary competition.
Tesni Young (18), Hugo Loh (17) and Arthur Kinnerley-Williams (17), all studying Level 3 Professional Cookery, became the first Welsh college team to reach the final stages of the Zest Quest Asia. Competing in London over two intense days, they went head-to-head with teams from seven other colleges across the UK.
Not only did they make history by qualifying, they also returned home with two major awards. The trio won Best Use of a Panasonic Accelerated Combination Oven—earning the college a new oven along with a bespoke masterclass and a unique Dashi journey in Japanese Kaiseki cuisine with Chef Akemi.
They also secured Best Use of Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce, winning a three-month supply of premium ingredients and a live tutorial delivered back at the college.
During the competition, the students delivered a polished 20-minute presentation on their dishes and the East Asian region they represented, complete with a themed table display. They then had just two hours to produce a technically demanding four-course menu, all while being questioned by judges—showcasing not only their culinary skills, but also their organisation, teamwork and ability to perform under pressure.
Zest Quest Asia, launched in 2013, is designed to challenge college teams to demonstrate their creativity and understanding of Asian cuisine. This year’s achievement marks a significant milestone, with Coleg Llandrillo putting Welsh culinary talent firmly on the map.
Lecturer Glen Hughes praised the trio’s dedication, highlighting the countless hours they spent practising in their own time. He said their commitment and professionalism shone through at every stage of the competition.
The success adds to a growing list of achievements for the college and its parent group, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. In recent years, students across the group have excelled in national skills competitions, with hospitality and catering learners regularly reaching UK finals and earning industry recognition. The college has also invested heavily in state-of-the-art training kitchens and facilities, helping students gain real-world experience and compete at the highest level.
This latest triumph reinforces Coleg Llandrillo’s reputation as a centre of excellence for hospitality training in North Wales—producing the next generation of chefs ready to make their mark on the industry.
For those inspired by Tesni, Hugo and Arthur’s success, a wide range of catering and hospitality courses are available through Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, offering hands-on training in professional-standard environments.
