Featuring layered umami flavours, sticky-glazed chicken is the hero of the piece. Set on a classic Italian foccaccia, this delectable offering aimed to transform our views of an ordinary chicken sandwich; and it succeeded.

Ingredients

Sticky Chilli Sesame Glaze

  • 35g sesame oil
  • 30g oyster sauce
  • 120g honey
  • 20g rice wine or apple cider vinegar
  • 5g mirin
  • 100g light soy sauce
  • 60g brown muscovado sugar
  • 15g fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 30g garlic, finely grated
  • ½ red chilli, very finely diced
  • 1 spring onion, finely diced (add at end)

Ginger–Garlic Slaw

  • 65g white cabbage, finely shredded
  • 45g red cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds
  • 10g chives, finely sliced

Dressing

  • 90g mayonnaise
  • 10g lime juice
  • 15g sesame glaze

Method or Assembly Order

Sticky Chilli Sesame Glaze

  1. Combine all ingredients except spring onion in saucepan.
  2. Simmer gently 15–20 minutes until thick and glossy.
  3. Stir through spring onion and cool.

Notes

  • Glaze should coat the back of a spoon and cling heavily.
  • Do not boil hard – sugars will burn quickly.

Ginger–Garlic Slaw

  1. Whisk dressing ingredients together.
  2. Fold through cabbages, sesame seeds and chives.

Notes

  • Slaw should be creamy but still crisp – dress just before service.

Sticky Chilli Sesame Chicken

  1. Toss hot chicken in bowl with glaze until heavily coated.

Notes

  • Chicken must be hot or glaze will not cling properly.

Assembly (per portion)

  • Nori sesame focaccia, sliced
  • Ginger–garlic mayo – spread both sides (Approx 20g) 
  • 4 sticky chilli sesame chicken tenders (135g approx)
  • Generous spoon of slaw 40g 
  • Pickled ginger 5g
  • Cucumber ribbons

Final Notes

  • Build quickly while chicken is hot and glaze is sticky.
  • Finish with extra sesame glaze if needed for shine and impact.

Designer Sophie Piccirilli from The FSC Group scooped the prize in the H.Smith Food Group Chicken Category at the Sandwich & Food to Go Designer 2026 competition.

Here's what Sophie had to say about their inspiration:

“The sandwich is designed to deliver umami at every level: nori and black sesame baked into the focaccia, oyster and soy in the glaze, and the savoury depth of the sticky chilli chicken. Drawing on my Italian heritage, the focaccia format respects classic Italian bread culture while embracing bold East-Asian flavours to create a contemporary fusion product.”