Rational Announces Global Sponsorship of the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026 in Wales

Rational is delighted to announce its Global sponsorship of the Global Chefs Challenge Finals 2026, taking place during Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2026 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, Newport, from 16–19 May.

The Global Chefs Challenge Finals represent the pinnacle of competitive cooking, bringing together elite chef teams from 24 nations to compete across four categories: the Global Chefs Challenge, Global Pastry Chefs Challenge, Global Vegan Chefs Challenge and Global Young Chefs Challenge. Qualification follows outstanding performance at the Worldchefs Regional Semi‑Finals in 2025, with the world’s best chefs going head‑to‑head to demonstrate technical excellence, creativity and precision.

As a Global sponsor, Rational will equip the finalists with iCombi Pro combi ovens, providing a consistent and reliable cooking platform throughout the competition. The intelligent cooking systems adapt to individual cooking processes, delivering precision, flexibility and high‑quality consistent results under pressure, allowing chefs to focus on creativity, technique and flavour at the highest level of competition.

Alan Higginson, Regional Sales Manager at Rational, welcomed the Finals and Congress being hosted in Wales, saying: “I am delighted that the Worldchefs Congress & Expo is taking place in Wales this year. Hosting an event of this international scale brings valuable exposure to the region and highlights the strength of the Welsh hospitality industry. Supporting the finals and collaborating with international organisations is an honour for Rational, while also helping to build meaningful relationships that support hospitality associations and the wider industry across Wales.”

With a history spanning 98 years, the Worldchefs Congress & Expo has been staged in 40 cities worldwide. For its 41st edition, the event arrives in Wales under the theme ‘Pasture, Passion, Plate’, which celebrates the journey of food from its origins to the final dish and explores how food connects people and cultures from farm to fork. The four-day biennial event will welcome up to 800 attendees from 100 countries, alongside 30 international speakers and industry leaders, with 40 competitors taking part in the Global Chefs Challenge Finals.

Commenting on the significance of the Congress being held in Wales, Arwyn Watkins OBE, President of the Culinary Association of Wales, said: “Hosting the Worldchefs Congress & Expo in Wales is a landmark moment for our hospitality sector. It places Welsh talent, produce, and passion on a truly global stage and creates lasting opportunities for chefs, educators, and businesses throughout the country.”

Alongside the Congress, the Worldchefs Expo will feature more than 200 exhibitors and is free to attend for hospitality and catering professionals. Visitors are invited to visit the Rational stand to experience live demonstrations of the latest Rational cooking systems, including the iCombi Pro, iVario Pro, and iHexagon, and to meet members of the Rational team to discuss kitchen innovation and operational efficiency.

Ragnar Fridriksson, Managing Director of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, commented:

“Bringing the Worldchefs Congress & Expo to Wales reflects the country’s growing influence within the global culinary community. Wales offers a strong connection to heritage, sustainability, and education, making it an ideal host destination for chefs from around the world.”

Registration Information

• Register to attend the Worldchefs Congress: https://www.worldchefscongress.org/register/