Hospitality industry in crisis warns Culinary Association of Wales president
The hospitality industry is in crisis because too few young people are choosing a career as a chef, the Culinary Association of Wales president has warned.
Speaking at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) awards dinner Arwyn said: “I believe that this is no longer a skills shortage but a people shortage, not enough individuals are taking this industry as a serious career choice. Even when they have made that career choice, not enough are progressing on to the industry on completion of further education.
“We have to work with employers to share best practice on work life balances and the changing dynamics and expectations of the workforce. No longer can our industry survive on goodwill. We all have to think differently if we are to secure a sustainable workforce. Not an easy ask but necessary.”
He revealed that a Culinary Association of Wales member will be working more closely and effectively with post 16 learning providers in Wales in the future.
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans, a guest at the awards dinner, said she was passionate about raising the profile of rewarding and exciting careers in the food and tourism industries in Wales.
She also highlighted the important contribution that chefs and the hospitality industry can make to achieving goals set out in the Food Tourism Action Plan for Wales by establishing Wales as a food tourism destination.
One of the team of judges for the four days of
“It was great to see the range of chefs, from students through to seniors,” he said. “The main things I noticed were the brilliant standard of competitions and the energy and enthusiasm within the industry. It fills me with confidence that there are chefs that will be filling our boots in the future.
“The attitude and enthusiasm of the young chefs was fantastic. You can teach them how to cook but you can’t teach them attitude. Some of the college students were competing for three days in a row and they were here until the last competition every day because they wanted to watch and learn as much as they could.
“They chose to be here cooking rather than on holiday, which says a lot about their attitude.”
Mr Watkins thanked all the competitors, sponsors, judges for making the WICC so successful.
The main awards went to: Junior Chef of Wales winner, Ben Mitchell, The Grove Hotel, Narberth. National Chef of Wales winner, Ben Mitchell, Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, near Bath. Battle for the Dragon winners, England. Open live class winner, Elise Evans, Coleg Cymoedd. Best team live, Loughborough College. Overall Cake Cymru winner, Dianne Swan, former Coleg Llandrillo learner. Best hygiene award sponsored by Eco Lab, Shannon Lee, City of Liverpool College. Best college, North Warwick and Hinckley College. Best junior live award, Shannon Butler, Loughborough College.
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