Wales to host the world’s biggest culinary event in 2026

A Team Wales partnership has secured the Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2026. Wales defeated Italy 28-24 in a final vote to host the global event. The congress is expected to attract 1,000 chefs and more than 5,000 visitors from 100-plus countries around the world to International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) and the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. According to the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), the successful bid to host this event, which is held every two years, involved months of work and lobbying with its partners ICC Wales, the Celtic Manor Resort, and the Welsh Government. The congress will be held at ICC Wales, with delegates residing at Celtic Manor Resort and hotels in the surrounding area. The event will be the second time that Team Wales has sought to host Worldchefs Congress and Expo, having previously lost to Singapore by four votes when bidding for the 2024 event. Previously, The Celtic Manor Resort successfully hosted Worldchefs meetings in 2017 and 2019. Arwyn Watkins (left), OBE, CAW president, said: “This is a significant landmark event for Wales. It’s the culinary equivalent of Wales hosting the football World Cup finals. We are delighted to have received the support of 28 countries around the world, including all the home nations.” According to Watkins, the congress theme will be ‘Pasture, Passion, Plate’ and how the event benefits future generations. A provisional event date of May 2026 has been set by CAW. Ian Edwards, ICC Wales chief executive, added: “Our culinary philosophy is a big part of what we do at ICC Wales and hosting this prestigious event will provide a brilliant opportunity to showcase Wales’ amazing wealth of produce, as well as our growing food and drink industry, to an international audience. Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “This is great news and I’m very pleased Wales will be hosting the Worldchefs Congress in 2026. It will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase Welsh produce to the world.”