On this episode, Ragnar speaks with Andy Cuthbert, Worldchefs President and long-time leader in the global culinary community. From his early beginnings in Melbourne to his role as President of the Emirates Culinary Guild and now Worldchefs President, Andy has dedicated his career to elevating chefs and hospitality professionals worldwide. With one year of his presidency now complete, he reflects on the milestones achieved, the importance of education and communication, and his vision for sustaining Worldchefs for the next 100 years. Tune in to hear about the importance of networking and discover how Andy aims to secure Worldchefs’ future and strengthen its global presence on Episode 135: One Year of Leadership with Worldchefs President Andy Cuthbert.
Tune in and LEARN:
- Culinary Connections: Discover how networking has shaped Andy Cuthbert’s career, providing for new opportunities throughout his career. Explore how building meaningful relationships remains essential in the culinary world.
- Listening to Membership: Learn how Andy and his team are aligning Worldchefs’ vision with the needs and feedback of its global membership, ensuring that every initiative reflects the community it serves.
- Securing the Future: Hear how Andy and the Worldchefs leadership are building a strong foundation for the organization’s next century through succession planning, strategic partnerships, and a united global network.
Resources
“You have to take the opportunities that are afforded to you. Take the courage to step out of your comfort zone and do it. There’s a lot of hard work {in this industry}… but there’s so much more to cooking and if you have a passion for cooking, that’s what you need.”
A Year of Accomplishments
Since Andy and his Executive Committee team took the helm in October 2024, here is a taste of what has been accomplished:
Awards & Recognition
- Worldchefs Magazine named Best Food Magazine at the 2025 Gourmand Awards
- Worldchefs Congress 2024 Names Association Event of the Year at the Singapore Mice Awards 2025
- Worldchefs earns two recognitions from Acquisition International’s Non-Profit Awards 2025
Collaborations & Partnerships
- Worldchefs announces new partnerships such as Kraft Heinz, Nielsen-Massey, Norweigan King Prawns, and Ambrose & Paubet, and renews partnerships with Electrolux Professional and Dilmah
- Worldchefs partners alongside World Food Forum in Sustainable Gastronomy Week 2025 and in the new Young Chefs Programme
- Worldchefs hosts its second UN-accredited digital event at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference
- Worldchefs partners with World Central Kitchen to mobilize chefs in global disaster relief
Feed the Planet / Sustainability
- Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet program honored with 2nd place at the LIFE Climate Smart Chefs Awards for Best Non-Profit Initiative
- Worldchefs’ sustainability initiatives spread to new countries, with Like a Chef in Argentina and Food Heroes in Ghana
- Worldchefs Sustainability Around the World reaches 50 episodes of global knowledge-sharing
Global Community & Events
- Worldchefs reaches a record of 180 committee members representative of 64 countries for the upcoming term
- World Chefs Without Borders raises 105,000 euros for Myanmar earthquake relief
- Worldchefs finishes the Global Chefs Challenge Regional Semi-Finals and prepares for the Global Chefs Challenge Finals and Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026
& much more!
Meet President Andy at Worldchefs Congress 2026
Meet President Andy at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, our biennial flagship event taking place next May in Newport, Wales. Over four days, expand your culinary bonds, learn from industry experts and Michelin-starred chefs, network with chefs from across the globe, witness the Global Chefs Challenge Finals, and explore a world-class expo.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Andy for joining us.
World on a Plate is supported by Nestlé Professional and Electrolux Food Foundation.
