Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) president, Arwyn Watkins, OBE, is determined that hosting the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 in May will leave a positive legacy for Welsh chefs.
Around 800 chefs from around the world will be heading to ICC Wales, Newport from May 16-19 to attend the only global event being held in Wales this year.
The 41st Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, themed ‘Pasture, Passion, Plate’, is being is being hosted in the UK for the first time in its 98-year history and senior officials from Worldchefs were in Wales this week to finalise plans.
In addition to the business opportunities, he wants the congress and expo to leave a legacy for the CAW, by encouraging young, Welsh chefs to take over the leadership of the association.
Mr Watkins has announced that he and CAW vice president Colin Gray, owner of Capital Cuisine, Bedwas, plan to stand down following May’s event, but will be available to support their successors.
With the focus on hosting the Worldchefs Congress & Expo, the CAW has not entered senior and junior teams in the Culinary Olympics and Culinary World Cup in recent years. However, Mr Watkins hopes Wales will be represented again on the world stage in the future.
“A positive legacy of this massive event, which has taken all our focus in recent years, will be the next generation of chefs that take over from us,” he said. “Hopefully, they will lead senior and junior teams from Wales back into the Culinary Olympics and Culinary World Cup.
“The chefs who have represented Wales in the past will tell you that these global team competitions require total dedication, commitment and funds, but are well worth the time and effort.”
He described May’s event as “a once in a generation opportunity” for Welsh and UK businesses to place their products in front of the culinary world and engage with influential chefs from around the globe.
“More than 800 delegates from around the world will be in attendance, with 60% of them identified as buyers and influencers within their own country,” he added.
“A global event of this magnitude provides a fantastic platform for Wales to showcase its food, drink, hospitality and tourism industries. We are bringing together the best businesses in Wales to partner with us.
“We aim to deliver a legacy that supports the ambition of Wales on the world stage, not only making memories but also business partnerships that will support the Welsh economy.”
The Worldchefs Congress & Expo incorporates the Global Chef Challenge Final in four categories - pastry, senior chef, vegan chef and junior chef - with Wales having a chef in each final.
In March, registration opens for day passes to the expo, where the Global Chef Challenge Finals will be the showcase activity. There will also be an opportunity to join the social programme including a prestigious Gala Dinner.
A highlight of the event will be CAW ambassador Katherine Jenkins, OBE, founder of Cygnet Gin, performing her specially written anthem, ‘When you return to Wales’ at the ceremony to hand over the Congress Bell to France, host of the centenary event in 2028.
In partnership with the Celtic Manor Resort, CAW is launching the first ever Worldchefs Golf Tournament which will take place on Thursday, May 14.
Chefs from each of the Home Nations – The British Culinary Federation, Federation of Chefs Scotland, The Panel of Chefs Ireland and CAW – will cook a course for a charity dinner on Sunday, May 17 at ICC Wales. Money raised will go to The Burnt Chef Project and Hospitality Action.
Team Wales – the CAW, ICC Wales and Welsh Government - has worked tirelessly since 1999 to secure the Worldchefs Congress & Expo. Relationships have been built with Worldchefs presidents, resulting in Wales winning a closely contested vote against Italy in December 2022.
For more event information, visit bit.ly/4iUaSfa and businesses interested in exhibiting should visit: www.culinaryassociation.wales/worldchefs-expo-2026/
Picture caption:
Culinary Association of Wales president Arwyn Watkins, OBE, outside ICC Wales.
