Members voted at the biennial general meeting in Welshpool to welcome the new division following a proposal by president Arwyn Watkins, OBE, managing director of Cambrian Training Company.

The Craft Butchery Team Wales has been formed to compete in the World Butchers’ Challenge in Sacramento, California in September 2020 Watkins felt that the team had no natural home in Wales, he believed that welcoming craft butchers as a division of the CAW would be mutually beneficial, as Culinary Team Wales could pass on valuable experience and knowledge of competing in global competitions.

Watkins said: “Bringing craft butchers nearer to craft chefs has got to be a good move, as there will be plenty of continuing professional development cross over opportunities.”

“We have created significant opportunities to profile Welsh food and drink at trade shows, industry events and VIP events, such as a St David’s Day function at 10 Downing Street, a Celtic gourmet event in Brussels and the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru.”

A restaurant services team from Wales will be competing for the first time at the Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart from February 14-19 2020.

Watkins added, “Overall it has been a great term of office with a lot achieved, but much more to do to make this a sustainable membership association that maintain Worldchefs membership, supports its chefs and craft butchers in competitions and secures a succession plan for its current board of directors.”