Katherine Jenkins OBE, Welsh mezzo soprano, will be the first ever ambassador of the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW).
This will also be the first time this major culinary event has been held in the UK, bringing around 1,000 chefs from across the world to the ICC Wales in May 2026.
Katherine’s partnership will also welcome her sustainable, luxury Welsh gin brand, Cygnet Gin, as a sponsor, showcasing the culinary potential of the ultra-premium spirit in the 2025 Welsh International Culinary Championships. Here chefs will be challenged to cook a 4 course menu showcasing the versatility of Cygnet Gin in each dish.
The award-winning Cygnet Gin was born from the desire to break the mould in a traditionally male-dominated spirits industry, and continues to do so with this new appointment just 6 months after launch.
Speaking about her new ambassadorial role, Katherine said, “I’m so honoured to be an ambassador for the Culinary Association of Wales. Across my career, I’m very, very proud of being Welsh and wherever I go, I always try to fly the flag for Wales. The Culinary Association of Wales being named as hosts for the biggest ever culinary event at the ICC Wales is incredibly exciting and important. When I heard that this was happening, I wanted to do all that I could to help support and amplify it, get behind it and cheer it on. So, if you love food like me, this is four days of food heaven. I can’t wait.
“We are so lucky in Wales – we have so much to offer, and we can offer so much to the world. I think people coming here, to the Celtic Manor and to the ICC, they’re just going to be absolutely blown away by the hospitality, the warmth, the friendship, the welcome, and I hope it’s the start of a lovely relationship for people. I’m really excited to see how the journey progresses and to be here and witness it in 2026.”
CAW president Arwyn Watkins, OBE, added, “It’s a huge coup and honour for the Culinary Association of Wales to secure Katherine as our ambassador for the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026. Being associated with such a global superstar is going to raise the profile of both the association and the event.
“We are looking forward to working closely with Katherine to promote Wales and Cygnet Gin to a global audience in the coming years.”
He describes securing the Worldchefs Congress and Expo for Wales as a “significant achievement” by Team Wales partners – CAW, ICC Wales, the Celtic Manor Resort and Visit Wales.
“More than 1,000 chefs from around the world are expected to attend the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026, in addition to around 5,000 exhibitors and visitors,” he added.
For more information see the Culinary Association of Wales website.
