Happy Birthdays to us!

1993. It seems like only yesterday. Who would have thought that the seed of an idea from a merry band of Welsh chefs would, over time, develop into an organisation that would help put Wales on the culinary map and be instrumental in bringing an event as prestigious as the Worldchefs Congress to our small, if bountiful part of the world. It’s been a remarkable journey since the Culinary Association of Wales drew its first breath in 1993. And we asked members, alumni and other key figures to pick their favourite CAW moments over the last 30 years.

The first major highlight was undoubtedly the inaugural Welsh International Culinary Championships in 1994. The next competitive achievement mentioned by many members is Kyoto, Japan in 2002, where Wales secured membership of Worldchefs and secured its first Gold medal at the World Cup. 2004 saw the Junior Team compete for the first time at Erfurt winning a Gold Medal. Arguably top of the list is winning the bid to host the Worldchefs Congress in 2026 with hosting the European Conference in 2019 and Worldchefs meeting board at the Celtic Manor in 2017 as close runners-up.

Along the way, CAW has cooked for many dignitaries and at historic events, providing many proud moments for members. Not least in 1998 for the Emperor and Empress of Japan at Cardiff Castle and for the Queen and Prince Charles at the opening of the National Assembly in 1999 and again for the Queen and Prince Charles at subsequent National Assembly openings in 2007 and 2011.

Preparing banquets for royalty is a recurring theme, with members also pointing to a dinner at Highgrove for HRH Prince Charles and Welsh Industry leaders in 2000, the 50th anniversary of Prince Charles’ inauguration as Prince of Wales at Caerphilly Castle in 2008 and the visit of the Queen and the Qatari royal family to Milford Haven in 2009.

Cooking for politicians and public figures also features highly. In 2000 the CAW cooked for the Heads of State Banquet at Cardiff Castle with World Heads of State in Attendance. Two years later, for the CAW cooked for First Minister Rhodri Morgan at a reception at the Senedd and again at a Foreign Office reception in 2005. In 2003 CAW cooked for the British Irish Council at Cardiff Castle and for Presiding Officer Lord Elis Thomas and AMs at the Senedd in 2006.

Sport is commonly mentioned too. CAW members met with Llanelli and Wales rugby coach Gareth Jenkins at a CAW Golf Day at the Celtic Manor Resort in and, separately, former Manchester United and Wales manager Mark Hughes in 2002. They also cooked for Wales rugby players Mike Phillips, James Hook and Sam Warburton in 2010. Whilst in 2013 CAW Organised the menu for the opening of the Rugby World Cup in Moscow.

The CAW and its members have often represented Wales on the international stage, show-casing Welsh products and skills, most notably at St David’s Day events in all corners of the world and display cooking for the Food and Drink Wales stand at food expo’s as far afield as Anuga (Germany), Brussels, Hong Kong, New York and Dubai.

There have been some intensely emotional moments too. When three members were chosen to walk in the Queen Mothers 100th birthday parade in 2000, or the making of Prince William and Kate Middleton weeding cake by CAW’s Sally Owens, which was then presented to Princess Diana’s Charity Centrepoint. And perhaps most memorable of all Prince Charles agreement to be patron of CAW in 2001.

Quite a journey. And one that we will celebrate in style at a gala, black tie dinner on 20 June at ICC Wales in the Celtic Manor Resort near Newport. As we embark on a very exciting time for the Association it’s important to maintain the ties that bond us all as chefs in Wales, to join together to mark what we have achieved over the last 30 years and to continue to grow. So please join us on the 20th of June.