Mix-up means chef teams missing out

By Linda Fox

British chefs may miss out on a major international competition after a mix-up between chefs' organisations.

Food Asia, held in Singapore in April, already looks set to be without the Welsh and Scottish teams, which have withdrawn their applications. No other British teams are currently entered.

The Welsh and Scottish teams submitted their applications to represent the UK at Food Asia to Brian Cotterill, president of the Chefs & Cooks Circle, in July. Both had sponsorship and had scheduled practice time, but neither got a reply till mid-August, too late for the 1 August deadline.

"They tried to stall us. They said we would either go as a regional team or as a combined British team," said Peter Jackson, manager of the Welsh culinary team.

"I wrote again saying, ‘Surely someone should represent Britain?' and said we'd withdraw so at least someone would go. Unless Brian is going to magic up a team, we won't be represented," added Tony Jackson, manager of the Scottish team.

Cotterill, however, said that he was trying to put together a team and that there was still time. This appears to be because the World Association of Cooks Societies has indicated that it will consider late entries.

"It's a question of getting everybody to put the money into one pot," said Cotterill. "I want to get all these associations together, because it should be a joint effort."

But the sponsors of the Scottish and Welsh teams are unlikely to put their money into a British team, according to Peter Jackson. "That money is to promote the country. The best thing would be for [Cotterill] to say one of the teams can go as Britain," he said.