Welsh Culinary Association appoints new president and secretary

Arwyn Watkins has taken over as president of the Culinary Association of Wales from Colin Gray, who held the position for two years.

He will be supported by chef and World Association of Chefs' Societies judge John Retallick as secretary.

Watkins, who is managing director and chairman of the Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company and a director and trustee of British Food Trust, said he is looking forward to his new role, in which he hopes to be able to link the aspirations of the Culinary Association of Wales with those of Food and Drink Wales.

Having previously coached the Junior Welsh National Culinary Team to their only Olympic gold medal in 2004, Watkins will now be looking for "talented and committed chefs" to represent both the senior and junior Culinary Team Wales in next year's Culinary Olympics in Germany.

Reflecting on his time spent as president, Gray said: "We are in a stronger position than we have ever been in terms of membership and support from sponsors. One of the key things we have tried to do is to make the association more professional, transparent and accountable. I am confident that Arwyn will now take the association to the next level."

Retallick, who was chairman of judges at Hotelympia in London and the Hospitality Show in Birmingham for 20 years, is chairman to the vice president's council of the Craft Guild of Chefs.

"We have some very good chefs in Wales and I hope to increase membership," said Retallick. "One of my goals is to work towards improving for competitors the already successful Welsh International Culinary Championships."

The new team at the Culinary Association of Wales are pictured from left: John Retallick (secretary), Toby Beevers (treasurer), Peter Fuchs, (Culinary Team Wales manager), Colin Gray (vice president), Arwyn Watkins (president) and Michael Evans (Junior Culinary Team Wales manager).

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