A WREXHAM chef will cook off against four others in the finals of Wales’ two premier culinary competitions - with fantastic prizes awaiting the winners.
The prestigious National and Junior Chef of the Wales contests, organised by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), bring together talented Welsh chefs from across Wales and England in the quest of the two coveted dragon winners’ trophies.
The finals will be held at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC), hosted by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s campus in Rhos-on-Sea, which begin on Tuesday and run until Thursday. The WICC return after an absence of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wrexham chef Robert Cave.
Robert Cave, 38, from Wrexham, senior sous chef at Rookery Hall, Worleston, Nantwich, is hoping to do well in the contest.
He will be going head to head against former Junior Chef of Wales winner Andrew Tabberner, 29, chef co-owner of Gaerwen Arms, Gaerwen, Anglesey, who is looking to complete the double in the National Chef of the Wales final, which will be split over Tuesday and Wednesday.
Chef Andrew Tabberner.
Tabberner and Cave compete in the first part of the final tomorrow, followed by the other three finalists on Wednesday.
The pair join Matthew Smith, 38, sous chef at Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen Hotel, Llanidloes and Wayne Barnard, 39, sous chef at Manor Parc Country Hotel and Restaurant, Thornhill, Cardiff, in the line-up as previous finalists.
They will be competing against Thomas Herbert, 24, from Bridgend, chef de partie at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Chippenham.
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, CAW president, said: “We are delighted with the number and calibre of entries for our competitions and look forward to the chefs showcasing their skills in the finals.
“Following the immense challenges faced by the hospitality industry over the past two years, it will be great to welcome chefs back to the Welsh International Culinary Championships.”
The WICC’s main sponsor is Food and Drink Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s department representing the food and drink industry. Other sponsors include Castel Howell, Churchill, Major International, Riso Gallo, Dick Knives, MCS Tech Products, Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, Cambrian Training Company, Roller Grill and Ecolab.
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