January 31, 2025 – Three chefs were selected at last week’s Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) to represent Wales in the Global Chefs Challenge finals next year.
The finals will be held at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 which will take place at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) in Newport and hosted by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) – the first time this prestigious global event will have been held in the UK in its 98-year history.
As host, Wales gets free passes into the finals of four competitions. Representing the country in the Global Chefs Challenge is Sam Everton, lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion, Cardigan who works weekends at the Michelin accredited Yr Hen Printworks, Cardigan.
Sam won the National Chef of Wales final last week, having previously won the Junior Chef of Wales final in 2024 – the first chef to win back-to-back finals since Danny Burke’s achievement 25 years ago.
“It’s a big year ahead with a lot of planning and I’m excited to see what the future holds,” said Sam. “Hopefully, I can win a medal at the Global Chef Challenge finals on home soil next year.”
Flying the flag for Wales in the Global Young Chefs Challenge will be Calum Smith, who works for Independents by Sodexo at Shrewsbury School, Shrewsbury. Captain of the Junior Culinary Team Wales, Calum won the Junior Chef of Wales final last week.
“It’s a massive achievement to be the winner in my age bracket and in my craft,” he said after winning the Junior Chef of Wales title. “It will be a real honour to represent Wales at the Global Chefs Challenge finals.”
Wales’ representative in the Global Vegan Chefs Challenge is Ryan Jones, head chef at The Principality Stadium, Cardiff and National Chef of Wales winner in 2014. He won a closely contested Welsh Vegan Chef of the Year final at the WICC.
“It’s great to still be competing after 13 years and winning this competition is just as exciting as it was in 2014,” he said. “I love competing because it’s exciting and keeps you on your toes. I think it’s something that every chef should experience.”
Selected as the country’s Global Pastry Chef Challenge finalist is Andrew Minto, owner of Minto’s Patisserie, Cardiff who won Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals in 2021.
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, CAW president, said: “We are delighted that the winners of the three showcase competitions at the WICC are enthusiastic about representing Wales at the Global Chefs Challenge finals here in Wales next year.
“They are three very talented and experienced chefs who have all competed internationally for Wales and I’m certain will represent their country with great passion and pride.
“I can’t wait to see them competing on home turf next May when the Global Chefs Challenge finals will be integral to the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026.”
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, Culinary Association of Wales president (second from left), with Welsh Vegan Chef of the Year winner Ryan Jones, National Chef of Wales winner Sam Everton and Junior Chef of Wales winner Calum Smith.
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