Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 at ICC Wales

Delivering a World-First: Worldchefs Congress & Expos 2026 at ICC Wales

ICC Wales had the privilege of hosting a truly special occasion: the largest global event for chefs, the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026. 

Delivered in Newport, South Wales, in partnership with the Culinary Association of Wales, the 41st edition of the show was held in the UK for the first time in 98 years, a monumental moment for our world-class events venue. For four days, Wales became the focus of the world’s culinary community. 

From 16th to 19th May, this landmark event celebrated the journey of food and its role in connecting people, exploring key issues in the hospitality and food industries. Welcoming over 1,000 delegates from almost 100 countries demanded a venue capable of handling international arrivals, simultaneous experiences, and large-scale production without compromising the delegate experience. 

The venue itself became the meeting place for the global culinary community, with delegates moving between keynote sessions, competitions, networking events and the Global Chefs Challenge Finals.

The Partnership Behind Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026

Getting the Worldchefs Congress & Expo to the UK was the result of years of work and lobbying by ICC Wales, alongside partners the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), the Celtic Manor Resort, and the Welsh Government. This wasn’t a first for Celtic Manor Resort, which previously hosted Worldchefs gatherings in 2017 and 2019, giving the partnership a track record with the organisation long before the 2026 bid was won. 

Craig Bingham, Managing Director at ICC Wales, said: “Hosting Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 was a landmark moment for ICC Wales and for Wales as an international events destination. It was a privilege to welcome so many influential chefs and hospitality professionals from across the globe and showcase the very best of Welsh hospitality, food and drink on an international stage.  

“We’re delighted the event delivered such a positive economic impact, while also helping position the region as a destination of choice for future international conferences and events.”

What it Takes to Host the Worldchefs Congress & Expo

As one of the world’s leading association congresses in the culinary sector, the ‘Pasture, Passion, Plate’ programme meant four days of concurrent activity for chefs, educators, and hospitality professionals from every corner of the industry. Keynote sessions, the expo floor and the Global Chefs Challenge Finals all had to share the same roof, a schedule made more demanding by the calibre of guests in the room, including two United Nations representatives and the Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP. 

Alongside the main programme, sessions from the Electrolux Food Foundation, AIESEC, Custom Culinary, and the World Food Forum (WFF) Young Chefs Programme ran throughout the four days. Delegates moved from keynote sessions into the exhibition floor before gathering around the Global Chefs Challenge Finals, creating an atmosphere that could be felt across the venue at every stage of the Congress. 

Why ICC Wales Was the Right Venue

Hosting international association conferences of this scale calls for flexible exhibition space, a large auditorium, room for informal networking, and enough space to feed hundreds of chefs each day for lunch and dinner. ICC Wales’ 4,000sqm of column-free and carpeted exhibition space, alongside our1,500-seat auditorium, allowed the Congress to combine keynote sessions, exhibitions, and competitions under one roof. The outdoor space gave delegates opportunities to network and take fresh air breaks throughout the day, keeping them focused between sessions, as well as capturing the bi-annual chefs' photo in front of our iconic dragon 

The connectivity mattered as much as the space itself. Despite being surrounded by 20 acres of serene Welsh woodland, we’re well connected for guests travelling locally or from further afield. Located just off the M4, we’re less than one hour from Bristol and Cardiff airports, and 95 minutes from Paddington train station, making us one of the best-connected conference venues in the UK for both UK and international delegates. Our nearest train station is Newport, just 12 minutes away, and we have over 2,000 visitor parking spaces located on-site for those travelling by car. 

The Impact and Legacy of Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026

92% of delegates travelled internationally to attend the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, and 60% of those identified as buyers and influencers within their own country. That level of international reach is what made this a genuinely global event, and one that placed real demands on us as host venue. We knew its legacy would extend far beyond our walls, impacting the hospitality industry and Wales’ profile. 

This event offered much more than an international gathering; it was proof that Wales can be the destination the global industry chooses, not just a picturesque backdrop for it. Delegates experienced our warm Welsh welcome and hospitality- first-hand, from the produce showcased at the venue to the culture. 

“The experience has been tremendous,” said Culinary Association of Wales President Arwyn Watkins, OBE. “We delivered on our promises and all the delegates have been nothing more than complimentary. To bring our colleagues from Worldchefs to Wales, many of them for the first time, I think we’ve left a lasting legacy”. 

The Congress also formed part of a wider ‘Team Wales’ push to put the country on the international culinary map, built on Welsh partnerships spanning tailored city guides, accommodation, and food tourism experiences around the event. For a nation increasingly known for its food and drink, hosting the industry’s most influential gathering was a chance for visitors to share their experience of Wales around the world. 

Hosting World-First Events at ICC Wales

Hosting the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 wasn’t only about welcoming over 1,000 delegates to our home. It was about helping bring one of the world’s most respected culinary gatherings to the UK for the first time, showcasing Wales on an international stage and demonstrating what can be achieved when the right venue, partners, and destination all come together. 

For ICC Wales, that's the real measure of success: creating events whose impact extends far beyond the final session, leaving a lasting impression on delegates, strengthening the reputation of Wales as a destination for international business events, and giving organisers the confidence to think even bigger.  

Whether you're planning an international association congress, a corporate conference or a large-scale exhibition, our team is ready to help turn your vision into an event that leaves a legacy long after the last delegate has gone home. 

For more information on our large-scale event venue in Wales, fill in an enquiry form today.