‘Welshpool’ chef to take on Europe’s best

A chef with a Welshpool training company has been named in the Wales team to compete at the Global Pastry Chefs Challenge European heats next February. 

Will Richards, a hospitality training officer with Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool, and member of the Senior Culinary Team Wales, will compete in the pastry competition.

He will be supported by Stephanie Belcher, chef de partie at Coast, Saundersfoot, and a member of the Junior Culinary Team Wales.

The chefs have been selected for the competition by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW). They will be supported by the CAW’s culinary director Graham Tinsley, MBE, at the regional heats of the competitions, organised by Worldchefs, in Rimini, Italy.

Winners of the regional heats will progress to the finals at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024 in Singapore.

Will said: “Representing your country on the international stage is the highest point you can reach. Having competed with the Welsh team, this competition gives me a platform to showcase my own ideas.

“Steph is the second chef in the team, as she can do everything that I can do. I think she is a rising star and I can’t wait for the competition. As a team, we aim to push the bar and want to come back with gold and qualify for the final.”

They will be baking a showpiece, layered chocolate gateau and six plated desserts using seasonal apples.

PICTURE: Will Richards will represent Wales in the Global Pastry Chefs Challenge.