Ambitious chefs looking to make a name for themselves within Wales and internationally are being sought for two prestigious competitions.

The road to winning the coveted National and Junior Chef of Wales titles begins with two regional finals to be held in November. The two winners and the two best runners up will qualify for the finals to be held at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Rhos-on-Sea next February.

But first, chefs must get their entries in to the Culinary Association of Wales by the October 31 deadline. The entry forms may be downloaded at: http://www.welshculinaryassociation.com/index.php/competitions/

From the entries, which must include the chef’s own creative menu for a three-course dinner, a panel of judges will select regional finalists who will be given three hours to serve up a three-course dinner for four people.

To qualify for the competitions, chefs must be of Welsh descent or work or study in Wales. National Chef of Wales entrants must be over the age of 23 and Junior Chef of Wales competitors must be between the ages of 17 and 23 years on February 1, 2018.

The Junior Chef final will be held on Monday, February 12, the first day of the WICC, followed by the National Chef final on Thursday, February 15. In addition to the title, the national chef winner will receive a study tour to Holland with Koppert Cress, £250 worth of Churchill products and an engraved set of knives made by Friedr Dick.

The Junior Chef of Wales winner will receive a week’s work experience with Simon Radley, executive chef at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa and a set of engraved knives from Friedr Dick. He or she will also automatically qualify for the Craft Guild of Chefs’ Young National Chef of the Year contest.

Next year’s WICC is set to bring all the nation’s culinary competitions together in one venue for the first time. In addition to the National and Junior Chef of Wales competitions, the four-day event will also host the Battle for the Dragon contest between Wales and two international junior teams.

In addition, the culinary finals of Skills Competition Wales will be held together with the Major International Regional Competition.

Arwyn Watkins, Culinary Association of Wales president, said: “The Welsh International Culinary Championships is the perfect place for all these competitions to come together for the first time.

“I welcome the co-operation and collaboration by the organisers of all the competitions and look forward to showcasing culinary and hospitality skills over four days at Coleg Llandrillo Menai.”

The WICC are organised by the CAW and main sponsor is Food and Drink Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s department representing the food and drink industry. Other sponsors of the WICC include Meat Promotion Wales/Hybu Cig Cymru, Castell Howell, Harlech Foods, Nuttals, Churchill, MCS Tech, Rollergrill, Koppertcress and Dick Knives.

For more information about the WICC, contact Vicky Watkins at the CAW on office@welshculinaryassociation.com.

Picture caption: Winner Steffan Davies in action in last year’s Junior Chef of Wales final.