Speaking at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) awards dinner, he received an ovation when he announced that Wales would be hosting the Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2026. It will be the first time that the Worldchefs Congress and Expo has been held in the UK.

He said: “This is a significant achievement for the whole of Team Wales and will create exciting opportunities for Wales and the other home nations. We are seeking chefs who can represent Wales on the global stage, so please ensure that you are a signed up member of the Culinary Association of Wales.”

As a result, Wales would receive automatic finalists for the Global Chefs Challenge, Global Young Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chef Challenge and Global Vegan Chef Challenge at Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2026.

He went on to report that the Junior Culinary Team Wales had won silver and bronze medals at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg last November.

The award winners included:

• National Chef of Wales: Matthew Smith, a chef lecturer at Cheshire College South & West, Crewe
• Junior Chef of Wales: Stephanie Belcher, chef de partie from Coast Restaurant, Saundersfoot
• Best commis in the National and Junior Chef of Wales: Jay Rees, Coleg Llandrillo
• Best live open class: Yuliia Batrak, Coleg Llandrillo
• Best restaurant class: Simona Kristof, Cheshire College South & West
• Best college: Coleg Llandrillo. Best team, Black Horse, Market Bosworth