EIGHT chefs – including one from Barry – have thrown their hats in the ring to cook for the right to be recognised as the best in Wales.

John Quill, 45, JQ Catering Services LTD, Barry, will compete in one of two heats with the chance to be crowned the National Chef of Wales on Thursday, February 15.

The final is part of the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC), which is organised by the Culinary Association of Wales.

In addition to the coveted title, the national chef winner will receive a study tour with Koppert Cress, £250 worth of Churchill products and an engraved set of knives made by Friedr Dick.

The finalists will be given three hours to serve up a three-course dinner for four judges in the finals.

Culinary association of Wales president, Arwyn Watkins, said: “We are delighted to have once again received applications from so many high calibre chefs for Wales’ top culinary contest and look forward to keenly contested finals in February.

“The Welsh International Culinary Championships is the perfect place for all the nation’s culinary competitions to come together for the first time. It promises to be a fantastic showcase for culinary and hospitality skills over four days at Coleg Llandrillo Menai.”

The main sponsor of the WICC is Food and Drink Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government’s department representing the food and drink industry. Other sponsors include Meat Promotion Wales, Castell Howell, Major International, Harlech Foods, Nuttals, Churchill, MCS Tech, Rollergrill, Koppertcress and Dick Knives.