The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) is excited to announce that for the first time the Hans Bueschkens Young Chefs Challenge Semi- Finals will be held together with the Global Chefs Challenge. This presents a new opportunity for an emerging chef to show his or her talent on the international scene and ensures more countries have an equal opportunity to participate.

Uniting the global chef community is an important goal of WACS, which currently counts over 90 countries and 10 million professional chefs among its membership. Developing Young Chefs is another key mission. Bringing together both competitions exposes Young Chefs to the same level of interaction and learning as the professionals.

The national pre-selections are in full motion to find the chef to represent each country in the continental semi finals that will take place throughout 2011 and early 2012. Seven continental semi final winners will go to the final in Daejeon in May 2012 at the World Congress.

The competitors will prepare a 3-course meal for 8 people in 5 hours in all stages except in the Global Chefs World Final where the requirements are to cook a 4-course meal for 12 people in 6 hours 45 minutes. Each course must contain a key ingredient that will be made known to contesters two months prior to the competition.

Chef Hans Bueschkens was one of the first WACS Presidents (1981 – 1988) to recognize the importance of developing Junior Chefs, and encouraged Senior Chefs to share their experiences and knowledge with the young members. Chef Bueschkens understood that only the professional development of all members could guarantee the continued legacy and success of WACS. We honour Chef Bueschkens’ accomplishments by naming this competition after him.

Hans Bueschkens Junior Chefs Challenge is proudly sponsored by Custom Culinary.