The world’s greatest culinary occasion is coming to Wales in 2026. A Staff Wales partnership has secured the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 for the nation.
Wales defeated Italy 28-24 in a remaining vote, introduced by Worldchefs, to host the worldwide occasion which is anticipated to draw 1,000 cooks and greater than 5,000 guests from 100 plus nations world wide to Worldwide Conference Centre Wales (ICC Wales) and the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
The profitable bid to host this occasion, which is held each two years, concerned months of labor and lobbying by the Culinary Affiliation of Wales (CAW) and companions ICC Wales, the Celtic Manor Resort and the Welsh Authorities.
The congress will likely be held at ICC Wales, with delegates accommodated at Celtic Manor Resort and resorts within the surrounding space. It’s the second time that Staff Wales has sought to host Worldchefs Congress & Expo, having beforehand misplaced to Singapore by simply 4 votes two years in the past when bidding for the 2024 occasion.
The Celtic Manor Resort, in partnership with the CAW and Welsh Authorities, efficiently hosted Worldchefs conferences in 2017 and 2019.
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, CAW president, mentioned:
“It is a important landmark occasion for Wales. It’s the culinary equal of Wales internet hosting the soccer World Cup finals.
“We’re delighted to have acquired the assist of 28 nations world wide, together with all the house nations. I thank Worldchefs for conducting an open and clear voting course of and Italy for a good and shut contest.
“Wales has received the occasion on advantage. The laborious work begins now to maximise this enormous alternative that has been awarded to Wales. The congress theme will likely be ‘Pasture, Ardour, Plate’ and the way the occasion advantages future generations.
“We’ve got a provisional occasion date of Could 2026 as a result of we need to be sure that it runs whereas schools throughout the UK are open and that they’re all engaged. That needs to be the legacy of this occasion.
“The hospitality trade has taken a hammering in the previous few years and we need to increase consciousness in regards to the rewarding profession alternatives which can be out there inside it.”
Ian Edwards, ICC Wales chief government, mentioned:
“ICC Wales is thrilled that the Staff Wales partnership has received the vote to host the Worldchefs Congress & Expo in 2026.
“Our culinary philosophy is a giant a part of what we do at ICC Wales and internet hosting this prestigious occasion will present an excellent alternative to showcase Wales’ wonderful wealth of produce, in addition to our rising foods and drinks trade, to a world viewers.
“With our confirmed monitor file for internet hosting a few of world’s largest occasions, similar to The Ryder Cup, 2014 NATO Summit and final 12 months’s World Cheese Awards, we all know find out how to handle and ship occasions with ardour, care and distinction.”
Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths mentioned: “That is nice information and I’m very happy Wales will likely be internet hosting the Worldchefs Congress in 2026. It will likely be an incredible alternative to showcase Welsh produce to the world.
“I’d wish to congratulate all these concerned on this achievement and we now look ahead to internet hosting a profitable occasion in 2026.”
Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs’ managing director, mentioned:
“Congratulations to Wales on efficiently successful the bid for Worldchefs Congress 2026. The Worldchefs staff will likely be trying ahead to working with you to organise an excellent occasion in Wales.”
