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Worldchefs Culinary Ability Awards Committee Created at IKA/Culinary Olympics 2020

Read time: 4 Min
Ireland, 20th February 2020
Worldchefs Culinary Ability Awards Committee Created at IKA/Culinary Olympics 2020

  • Worldchefs has partnered with the Culinary Ability Awards, an international non-profit organization that raises awareness in society for people with disabilities through professional skills development in the culinary industry.
  • Joining in a collective vision to focus on ability in disability showcasing inclusion, a Worldchefs Culinary Ability Awards Committee has been established.
  • The Culinary Ability Awards will also venture to Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2020 in St. Petersburg, Russia to compete alongside the Global Chefs Challenge final. Individuals with a variety of disabilities will compete against each other to showcase their skills and talent on a global scale.
Paris, 20th of February 2020 – Worldchefs has partnered with the Culinary Ability Awards, an international non-profit organization that raises awareness in society for people with disabilities through professional skills development in the culinary industry, joining in their vision to celebrate difference and create opportunities in the industry in which people with disabilities can thrive.
While hospitality is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries, it is currently experiencing staff shortages, with employment in the industry being a significant challenge for businesses. Many disabled people are excluded from the labor market as they lack industry relevant qualifications. 
To help address this and to advocate for integration beyond inclusion for people with disabilities, a Worldchefs Culinary Ability Awards Committee has been established. The Committee will be led by Chef Brendan O’Neill, with Awards founder Chef Chris Sandford serving as a Special Advisor. The aim is to provide career opportunities for individuals with special needs, and to deliver passionate and valuable team members to professional kitchens struggling to retain staff.
“For us as Worldchefs, it is the biggest honor to establish a Committee under the banner of the Culinary Ability Awards. This gives us the pleasure to include individuals with disabilities and chef talent from all around the world in our noble organization and family. Here at IKA/Culinary Olympics, it was a fantastic opportunity to witness the Culinary Ability Awards in action. The inspiring team showcased their knowledge and dedication for the culinary field. As of today, this Committee, under the leadership of Chris Sandford, will ensure that this part of our community is represented on the global stage. Congratulations to you all, and thank you sincerely for making this possible.” – Thomas A. Gugler, Worldchefs President 
The Culinary Ability Awards will also venture to Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2020 in St. Petersburg, Russia to compete alongside the Global Chefs Challenge final. Individuals with a variety of disabilities will compete against each other to showcase their skills and talent to a global audience. Competitors will have 40 minutes to prepare, cook and plate two main course plates, judged on creativity, workmanship, composition, and presentation.
“It is my distinct pleasure to have the acknowledgment of such a globally respected organisation on supporting our vision of integration and inclusion. An extended thanks to Richard Beck and the German Chef Federation VKD in their support to showcase our Culinary Ability Olympic team. We are thrilled to have such a wonderful opportunity to share the skills these talented individuals bring. To the president Thomas and all Worldchefs members, from the bottom of our hearts a very big thank you for establishing this Committee supporting individuals with disabilities in our industry. For all countries who wish to join in we welcome your interest in uniting our industry.” – Chris Sandford, Culinary Ability Awards Founder
Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2020 will be a primary platform to showcase the Culinary Ability Awards Competition to chef delegates, industry professionals, and celebrated voices in gastronomy from across the five continents. To learn more about Congress 2020, visit at www.worldchefscongress.org. 
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ABOUT WORLDCHEFS 
The World Association of Chefs’ Societies, known as Worldchefs, is a dynamic global network of 110 chef associations worldwide. A leading voice in hospitality, Worldchefs carries 91 years of history since its founding at the Sorbonne by the venerable Auguste Escoffier. Representing a mobilized international membership of culinary professionals, Worldchefs is committed to advancing the profession and leveraging the influence of the chef jacket for the betterment of the industry and humanity at large.
Worldchefs is dedicated to raising culinary standards and social awareness through four core focus areas:
Education – Worldchefs offers support for education and professional development through the landmark Worldchefs Academy online training program, a diverse network of Worldchefs Education Partners and curriculums, and the world’s first Global Hospitality Certification recognizing on-the-job skills in hospitality; 
Networking – Worldchefs connects culinary professionals around the globe through their online community platform and provides a gateway for industry networking opportunities through endorsed events, Worldchefs Village, and the biennial Worldchefs Congress & Expo;
Competition – Worldchefs sets global standards for competition rules and endorsemetn of key culinary competitions worldwide, provides Competition Seminars and assurance of Worldchefs Certified Judges, and operates the prestigious Global Chefs Challenge;
Humanitarianism & Sustainability – Worldchefs Feed the Planet and World Chefs Without Borders programs relieve food poverty, deliver crisis support, and promote sustainability across the globe.
For more information about Worldchefs, visit us at www.worldchefs.org.
ABOUT WORLDCHEFS CONGRESS 2020
The biennial event for industry leaders and culinary innovators, Worldchefs Congress & Expo unites thousands of chefs and celebrated voices in gastronomy for a dynamic four-day forum designed to transform an industry into an inspired community.
Hear from leading experts, experience masterclasses with top chefs, learn about the latest trends in HoReCa innovation, watch the world’s best culinary teams compete in the final of the Global Chefs Challenge, and connect with industry professionals from around the globe at Worldchefs networking and dining events.
Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2020 will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia, 29th July – 1st August. Network and expand your professional bonds with the most influential culinary body worldwide. Register now at www.worldchefscongress.org.
ABOUT CULINARY ABILITY AWARDS
The Culinary Ability Awards is an international non-profit organization that raises awareness in society for people with disabilities through professional skills development in the culinary industry. 
Through training and competition, the Culinary Ability Awards empowers and promotes, in unity, the personal and professional possibilities with food. Through these efforts, individuals with disabilities build professional skills to work in professional kitchens in order to enable a career and independence. 
Culinary Ability Awards celebrates its 15th birthday in 2020 and has, during this period, managed to reach a global audience spanning across 100 countries. The organization is privately funded by the founder, Chris Sandford, recipient of the Worldchefs Humanitarian Award, former international manager for the Irish culinary team, and an international gold medalist himself.
To learn more and to get involved, visit www.culinaryabilityawards.com. 
_____________________________________________________________________

For any media inquiries, contact: 
Clare Pettersson
Communications Manager, Worldchefs
marketing@worldchefs.org
T. +33 1 80 06 58 30 
*A pdf of this press release is available for download below.

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