Wales’s Expo bid has royal support

THE Prince of Wales has recorded a special video message to support Wales’s bid to host the Worldchefs Congress and Expo in 2024.

The Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) has sent the message to the president of every Worldchefs member country who will be voting in the ballot to decide whether Wales or Singapore hosts the global culinary event, which is expected to attract 1,000 chefs and up to 10,000 visitors.

Wales has already won ballots against Poland and the Netherlands in the first round and Russia in the second round to represent Europe in the final vote on August 15.

The CAW has adopted a “Team Wales” approach in its bid to host the Worldchefs Congress and Expo, which would be held at Newport’s International Convention Centre Wales in July, 2024. Partners are ICC Wales, the Celtic Manor Resort and the Welsh Government.

In his message, the Prince of Wales says he has been patron of the CAW for more than 20 years and wishes the bid “every possible success”.

“Over the years, I have been greatly impressed to see the food and culinary sector in Wales going from strength to strength, producing talent, employment, prosperity and, as I know from personal experience, the most delicious dishes imaginable,” he says.

CAW president Arwyn Watkins said he could not overemphasise the importance of the message from the prince.