Calum Smith to compete in Global Young Chefs Challenge Final at ICC Wales as Newport hosts major international culinary event
A YOUNG Welsh chef who has become the talk of the private school where he works has said that competing on home soil in next month’s Global Young Chefs Challenge Final will be the proudest moment of his career so far.
Calum Smith, 25, captain of Junior Culinary Team Wales and the reigning 2025 Junior Chef of Wales, will take on seven of the world’s top young chefs in the prestigious final on May 19.
The talented chef has recently been promoted to Head Chef for Independents by Sodexo at Shrewsbury School, where he is responsible for feeding around 1,000 students every day.
The competition forms part of the Worldchefs Congress and Expo, which will be held at ICC Wales, Newport, from May 16 to 19. The event marks the first time in the organisation’s 98-year history that the global congress has been staged in the UK.
Four Global Chefs Challenge finals will take place during the event, and Wales will have a representative in each one. Supporters are being urged to attend and show their backing, with Welsh flags at the ready.
Entry to the finals and expo is free, with visitors able to register online or on the day.
In the Global Young Chefs Challenge Final, Calum will have just three hours to prepare a demanding brief: a three-course meal for four people.
Despite the pressure, he says preparations have been going well.
“Preparation has been good but it has been challenging trying to focus on the final whilst also juggling cooking for 1,000 students daily,” he said.
“My dishes will be full of flavour and heritage, using as many Welsh ingredients and showcasing as many skills as I can within the time.
“I feel excited and humbled to have been given this opportunity to cook against the world’s best young chefs. It’s a massive privilege to cook for Wales, probably my proudest achievement to date. It’s going to be ace competing on home soil in front of people I know.”
The excitement is also building across the border in Shropshire.
“It has definitely brought a buzz factor to Shrewsbury School,” Calum said. “Everyone is asking when I’m competing and there’s such a great atmosphere around work which is driving me on even more to excel.”
As for his expectations in the final, Calum remains grounded.
“What is meant to be, will be,” he said. “If I deliver what I have been practising, then I will be happy and it would be amazing to win a medal.”
Calum paid tribute to those who have supported him along the way, including Matthew Warburton, general catering manager at Independents by Sodexo, Colin Gray, vice president of the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), and Danny Burke, former coach to the Junior Culinary Team Wales.
“I have had valuable feedback from chefs within the association and the support from Matt has been five star,” he added.
Calum is no stranger to success on the international stage. He previously captained Junior Culinary Team Wales to silver and bronze medals at the Culinary World Cup in 2022, before winning gold and finishing third overall at the Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot Young Chef Challenge in the United Arab Emirates in May 2024.
Hosted by the CAW, the Worldchefs Congress and Expo is expected to attract around 800 chefs from across the globe.
CAW president Arwyn Watkins OBE is urging people to attend and show their support.
“All the other countries who have chefs competing in the four Global Chef Challenge finals are bringing lots of supporters, so it will be very disappointing if there’s nobody there to cheer on the Welsh chefs here in Wales,” he said.
As part of the Home Nations culinary partnership alongside Ireland, Scotland and England, Calum will also be flying the flag not just for Wales but for the UK’s wider culinary talent.
With a global spotlight on Newport next month, all eyes will be on Calum Smith as he aims to bring pride and potentially medals back to Wales.
