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Message from WACS President

Good Things Come in Small Packages
Monday, 17 November 2008

President

Gissur Gudmundsson

Sudurhlid 35,
105 Reykjavik, Iceland
ICELAND

Mob: + 354 8975988
Tel: + 354 5622264
Email: restaurant@restaurant.is
Website: http://www.wacs2000.org

I don’t have to tell anyone what major event just went on in Erfurt in October. Most WACS members know about the IKA « Culinary Olympics » in Erfurt and have heard about the results, who won, how their country did, etc.There is so much information and coverage on this event on the world web, through each associations newsletters and from person to person that I decided not to talk so much about it, except to congratulate everyone of the 32 countries that participated for the hard work and the great performances and especially the Norwegian Team who were the overall winners. In all my years of attending the IKA, I have always been impressed to see that results just get more and more amazing every time, and so I think everyone deserves respect for this.

WACS President Gissur Gudmundsson
and VKD President Ctefan Wohlfeil

The New WACS Booth

As most of you also might know, this year, the World Association of Chefs Societies presented their new booth in Erfurt. Both members of the WACS Board and various Committee members took turns working in the stand, meeting the members, handing out information and being available to answer questions regarding WACS and its programs. We hope that everyone took the opportunity to share their ideas, concerns and just to get to know the each other better.

We had an unfortunate incident with much of the new WACS paraphernalia that we wanted to display and make available at the booth as our shipment got caught up in customs and had to be sent back to South Africa, but we hope to make these things available to you all, as well as new literature and information on all WACS Programs at the next WACS Approved show, the ScotHot in Glasgow, Scotland, from the 2nd to the 4th of March, 2009. We hope to see you there!

Combined Services Culinary Challenge

Although I like to see what is done in big competitions like IKA, I think it is worth going to see less known and smaller competitions because the passion and heart that chefs put into these simpler shows is easier to see than through all the glamour of the big shows. In October, I also had the honour of being invited to judge in such enjoyable shows.

The Combined Services Culinary Challenge is a competition between caterers of the British Armed Forces (HM Armed Forces). Military culinary competitions are something I knew very little about and it was for me a great opportunity to see how things work in this particular branch of cooking, and to meet some of the people involved.

I can tell you that these men and women, who often operate under very difficult circumstances, either in combat situations in Afghanistan and Iraq or even on ships and submarines, show a level of discipline and camaraderie which shines in their team work. It was great to see Geoff Acott, military advisor of the WACS Culinary Competitions Committee, in action and in his element, and I would like to thank Captain Paul Cunningham of the British Royal Navy and the organisers for their wonderful hospitality and this very instructive opportunity.

The Estonian Chef of the Year and the Estonian Young Chef of the Year. It’s always a pleasure to arrive in Estonia. The country has grown a lot over just a few years, especially when it comes to the restaurant business. The standard of the restaurants is of the highest level and you can be sure to find something for your own taste. The competitions went well and young and senior Chefs of the year were announced at the Gala Dinner, with over 200 people attending. It is always impressive to see how many people show interest in our profession and like to be part of it. I have always been very proud of my friends in Estonia; they have only been with WACS as members since the New Zealand Congress in 2006 but since then, they have held a European meeting, organized the first Global Chefs Challenge Semi-final for Northern Europe and they are only growing stronger. The Estonian Chefs Association are one of the best examples of what is possible when people work hand and hand together: They can do everything.

My friends, until next month I hope you all will have a wonderful time. Work hard but don’t forget your friends and family.

With Culinary friendship,

Gissur Gudmundsson
WACS President