WACS CONGRESS CHILE 2010 - UPDATE

After the excitement of the City tour, it was time to head on over to the Sheraton Hotel for the opening cocktail function. Preceding this was a meeting of the Junior Delegates with Dr Billy Gallagher to go over their itineraries for the coming 4 days – up at 5am tomorrow guys n girls (you could just see the excitement in their eyes) as you will all be picked up at 6am for a guided tour of the city markets before heading over to the Congress venue for the opening ceremony and parade of nations.

Dr Gallagher then went on to outline the incredible program that has been put together for these 50 young chefs from around the world, and the importance of the friendships and networks that will be created over these next four days; that hopefully for many will continue for a lifetime.

4 Team Captains were selected to each lead groups and it was outlined that if any of the Juniors experienced any problems or difficulties they were to communicate this to their team captain who will then discuss with the forum organisers. I’m very pleased to say that New Zealand Junior delegate Sarah Primrose was selected as a team captain, along with Camile from Chile, William from Iceland and Sidney from South Africa.

After this briefing it was time to move on to the Official Opening Cocktail Function, a grand affair with a vast array of wonderful Chilean produce turned into delicate and delicious dishes. Ranging from Seafood to meats, cheeses and dairy and of course plentiful dessert stations.

The opening function is a great chance to catch up with familiar friends, be introduced to new ones and find out what’s happening in the big wide culinary world.

The opening address was given by Mr Fernando Fuentes, President of the Chilean Chefs Association, he welcomed us all enthusiastically and with a great sense of pride, as Chile is the first Latin American country to host a WACS Congress. I remember vividly that Thursday in 2006 when L Edwin Brown uttered the words “the 34^th WACS Congress in 2010 for the first time ever will be held in South America as we head to CHILE” the joy and jubilation extolled by Fernando and Jaqueline and the Chilean delegation is one that some of us Kiwi’s can relate too when indeed in 2002 Kyoto we were waiting to hear the Worlds NZ 2006. Having caught up with Fernando earlier in the day he commented on how the four years between announcement and fruition are very short indeed, something I can empathise with whole heartedly, but we are here and it is now and all systems are go and it’s all looking to be an amazing week that the Chile Association has lined up for us.

WACS president Gissur Gudmunson then gave his address and then announced the WACS Presidents Award recipient for 2010. For his services to WACS over the past 26 years, with most of them being spent as Treasurer, Norbert Schmidiger from Switzerland was this year announced a very worthy recipient of this award. After this the induction of 10 new Honorary WACS Life Members was conducted. Chefs from around the world whom all have contributed immensely not only to WACS but also to their home associations and the culinary world in general throughout the lifetimes of their careers.

And then it was on with further socialising as we all prepare ourselves for the serious side of Congress which starts in earnest tomorrow morning.