The official recap & report
In May 2026, Wales welcomed the global culinary community as the Worldchefs Congress & Expo came to ICC Wales, Newport, for four days of culinary excellence, education, competition, collaboration and celebration.
Hosted by the Culinary Association of Wales, the 41st Worldchefs Congress & Expo took place from 16–19 May 2026, bringing together chefs, culinary professionals, educators, industry leaders and organisations from across the world under the theme ‘Pasture. Passion. Plate.’
Now that the event has concluded, this page brings together a recap and report of Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, looking back at the scale and success of the event, the key moments, the people who made it happen and the impact of bringing the global culinary community to Wales.
A landmark moment for Welsh hospitality
Bringing Worldchefs Congress & Expo to Wales was a major milestone for the Culinary Association of Wales and the wider Welsh hospitality industry.
The event provided an international platform to showcase Wales as a destination for food, hospitality and major events, while creating opportunities for chefs and businesses from Wales to connect with the wider global culinary community.
Over four days, delegates experienced a programme packed with inspiring speakers, educational sessions, live demonstrations, culinary competitions, networking, exhibitions and social events, alongside opportunities to experience Welsh food, culture and hospitality.
The Congress by numbers
- 4 days of international culinary activity at ICC Wales
- 65 countries represented by delegates attending the Congress
- 1,000+ delegates from across the global culinary community
- 92% of delegates travelled to Wales specifically for the event
- 60% of delegates identified as buyers or influencers within their markets
These figures demonstrate the international reach of the Congress and the opportunity it created to put Wales firmly on the global culinary map.
Pasture. Passion. Plate.
The theme of ‘Pasture. Passion. Plate.’ reflected the journey of food from its origins through to the finished dish, while highlighting the people, skills, producers and communities behind it.
The programme brought together voices from across the culinary world to explore the future of the profession, share knowledge and ideas, celebrate culinary talent and encourage collaboration across borders.
Alongside the main Congress programme, the Worldchefs Expo provided an opportunity for delegates to discover products, services and innovations from businesses supporting the global food and hospitality industry.
Wales welcomes the world
One of the most important elements of hosting the Congress was the opportunity to introduce an international audience to Wales.
For many delegates, this was their first visit to the country, creating an opportunity to showcase Welsh food and drink, producers, hospitality, culture and the warmth of the Welsh welcome.
The Congress also brought together the culinary communities of the Home Nations, demonstrating the strength of collaboration across the UK and Ireland.
From the food served to delegates to the programme of events surrounding the Congress, Wales was at the heart of the experience.
Global culinary competition
The Global Chefs Challenge Finals formed a major part of the Congress programme, bringing some of the world’s leading culinary competitors together in Wales.
Across the competition, chefs demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity and precision as they competed for the coveted global titles.
For visitors and delegates, the competitions provided an opportunity to see world-class culinary talent in action, while also giving competitors a global stage on which to showcase their skills.
The people behind the Congress
An event of this scale takes an enormous amount of planning, commitment and collaboration.
The success of Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 was made possible through the combined efforts of the Culinary Association of Wales, Worldchefs, ICC Wales, Celtic Manor Resort, Welsh Government, the Home Nations, sponsors, exhibitors, suppliers, volunteers, chefs, competitors, speakers and the many people working behind the scenes.
It was a true Team Wales effort, supported by partners across the hospitality and events industries.
The impact and legacy
While the Congress itself lasted four days, its impact extends far beyond the event.
The gathering created new international connections, provided opportunities for Welsh businesses and chefs, showcased Welsh hospitality to a global audience and demonstrated Wales’ ability to host a major international culinary event.
For the Culinary Association of Wales, bringing Worldchefs Congress & Expo to the country was about more than hosting an event. It was about creating connections and opportunities that can continue long after the final day.
A successful Congress
The response from delegates, Worldchefs and partners reflected the success of bringing the Congress to Wales.
Worldchefs President Andy Cuthbert praised the experience in Wales, describing it as an “unbelievable” Congress and highlighting the organisation, support and hospitality received throughout the event.
For the Culinary Association of Wales, seeing the global culinary community come together in Wales was the culmination of years of planning, collaboration and ambition.
Looking back and looking forward
Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 has now become part of the history of both Worldchefs and the Culinary Association of Wales.
This recap and report captures some of the key achievements and moments from those four days, but the photographs, stories, new relationships and experiences created during the Congress will continue to tell the story of what happened when the culinary world came together in Wales.
Wales welcomed the world, the culinary community came together, and Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 became a moment to remember.
Explore the Congress
View the Congress Gallery
Relive the highlights through our collection of photographs from across the event.
Read the Congress News
Catch up on the latest news, announcements and stories from Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026.
Read & download the Recap & Report below;