The Board Meeting, which was held in Melbourne for the first time, was attended by
10 international members including the World President Gissur Gudmundsson from
Iceland, Vice President Hilmar Jonsson from the USA, Continental Director for Africa
and the Middle East, Arnold Tanzer and Continental Director for Europe South,
Srecko Koklic to name just a few.
The WACS Board, which represents over 10 million professional chefs worldwide,
meets just twice a year in a location, generally to coincide with a major culinary
event. On this occasion the Executive Committee made an exception to these strict
criteria and selected Melbourne on the base of Craig’s successful pitch and invitation
to meet at the newly renovated Sebel & Citigate Albert Park Melbourne.
The WACS Board 3-day agenda included, but was not limited to, discussions on the
organisation’s future, the education and training required by their members and the
professional development of their large international membership.
“The Melbourne Board Meeting was a major turning point for our association in terms
of setting clear and precise direction for our three sub-committees - Marketing and
Communication, Education and Culinary,” said WACS Pacific Director Glenn Austin.
“It was also decided to introduce a world-wide certification program for chefs based
on international standards of education and training and, in the wake of the
devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, we will also be expanding our global
humanitarian programme and disaster support,” said Glenn.
In approving the Melbourne bid, the Executive Committee acknowledged Craig
Bond’s commitment to hospitality, tourism and chef associations’ world-wide
including his long involvement with the Australian Culinary Federation and the Nestle
Golden Chef's Hat Awards.
Always a team player by endeavouring to achieve the best for his hotel and team,
Craig deflected his accolade by adding that it was the support of his long-time
colleague and WACS Pacific Director Glenn Austin that helped to secure the
meeting.
A Melburnian himself and the first Australian to be voted to the World Board of Chefs,
Glenn was very keen to have the Board meet in his home town.
“It was 12 years ago that the World Association of Chef’s Societies celebrated their
70th anniversary at their bi-annual congress in Melbourne – the only time the
Congress has been held in Australia - and I am delighted that the Executive
Committee chose Melbourne again for their Board Meeting,” he said.
“Craig lobbied tirelessly to bring the meeting here and it was a wonderful opportunity
to showcase the extraordinary depth of talent within our local hospitality industry,”
said Glenn.
