[ad_1]
This year’s Wales International Culinary Championship (WICC) is being held at the International Conference Center Wales (ICC Wales) in Newport and is the launch pad for the World Chefs Congress and Expo to be held there in May 2026.
The three-day WICC, hosted by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), has moved to the Wales ICC for the first time, having previously been held in North Wales.
CAW Chairman Arwyn Watkins (OBE) declared the event a success and believed the new venue would develop into the Wells Hospitality Center for the three-day event in January each year.
He said WICC 2024 is the start of the 2026 World Chefs Congress and Expo, which will bring 1,000 chefs from around the world to Wales. This will be the first time a major world chef competition is held in the UK.
He added: “I believe moving the WICC to 2024 is the right decision for all stakeholders and look forward to continuing to work with them so that we can deliver an excellent conference.”
“WICC will be the annual hospitality center open to the public and the hospitality industry, showcasing Welsh food, drink, hospitality and skills over three days and providing a real opportunity for dialogue with the industry.”
He thanked all sponsors and stakeholders for their support of WICC and looked forward to seeing more entries in 2025.
Mr Watkins also expressed his special thanks to Rural Affairs Minister Leslie Griffiths. “I want to state for the record that without the unwavering support of you and your officials, we would not have been able to secure the bid to host the World Chefs Congress and Expo in May 2026,” he told her.
The Minister congratulated all the contestants. She said: “This is the largest hospitality and skills event ever held here and is the start of the journey to the 2026 World Chefs Congress and Expo at the International Conference Center in Wales.”
The event brings together chefs, artisanal butchers and front of house staff for three days of competition, including the Wales Hospitality Skills Competition final.
The WICC Best University Award went to Coleg y Cymoedd, which had 12 students take part in the three-day event.of college The number of medals includes 1 gold medal, 7 silver medals, 11 bronze medals and 4 best in class medals.
Catering and hospitality lecturer Kevin Hall said: “It was an amazing event and the best part was a bus full of smiling students.
“We really enjoy bringing new students into the competition and seeing them grow every year. They are the future of the restaurant industry.”
The award for best open live course was awarded to Emily Keane from Coleg Ceredigion, while the Ecolab award for the entrant demonstrating the best hygiene standards was awarded to Leo Luke from Pembrokeshire College.
Ecolab regional manager Ed Wilkins said: “I really enjoyed the three days of competition and the hygiene standards were very good.
“It’s great to see students and young chefs focusing on good hygiene practices. It’s an honor to be a judge and participate in this event.”
In 2024, WICC included Skills Competition Wales (SCW) in its restaurant management course for the first time. SCW aims to raise the profile of skills in Wales and is part of the Welsh Government-funded Inspiring Skills Excellence programme.
Students, trainees and apprentices have the opportunity to challenge, measure and improve their skills by participating in competitions in a variety of areas.
Mr Watkins added: “Having all these competitions in one place is fantastic news for the hospitality network in Wales. “Chefs, hospitality businesses, universities and skills providers now know these competitions will be available in the future. It happens at the same time every year.”
WICC is hosted by CAW with major sponsors including Welsh Government, Castell Howell, Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales, ICC Wales, Cambrian Training Company, Kentaur, Churchill, MCS Technical Products, Roller Grill, Radnor Hills, Dick Knifes, Cygnet Gin, Capital Cuisine, Ecolab, City & Guilds and Compass Cymru.
[ad_2]
Source link