The competition, which is taking place in India, will begin on 31st January and last until 5th February 2023. At 17-years-old Ben is the only chef to represent Wales in the competition, battling it out against competitors from 60 other countries for the title. 

Ben will be supported by mentor, Eric Couturier, deputy head of catering, hospitality & food manufacturing at Cardiff & Vale College, who will accompany Ben to the competition in India. This is the sixth year that a student from Cardiff & Vale College has competed in the contest.

Eric has been supporting and coaching Ben since November to perfect the dishes he will prepare during the competition, as well as ensuring his technique, hygiene, health and safety and cooking practices are all up to scratch.

Speaking about the competition, Ben said: “This competition is a great opportunity to develop my culinary skills, and I’m excited to travel to India. It has also been good to work with the chefs from Compass Cymru to learn and get advice from them on how to prepare for competitions, and on refining my dishes through plating and presentation.”

Now in its ninth year, the Young Chef Olympiad began as a way to bring the world closer via food, as food unites people. Starting with a grand opening ceremony in New Delhi, the competition will progress through various stages, the first being a skills test incorporating vegetable cutting, a vegetarian main course for four people, and a lemon meringue pie.

Twenty participants progress to the second stage, which this year requires them to prepare a French omelette with tomato concasse, a King prawn main course for four people, and a traditional tarte tatin, before the competition culminates in a grand finale in Kolkata on 5th February.