Kelly Conwell Represents U.S. Well in International Cooking CompetitionWhile the world’s economic leaders met in Switzerland last week, the world’s culinary leaders met at the 34th annual World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress, Jan. 24-28 in Chile. There 22-year-old Kansas native Kelly Conwell got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent her country in the Hans Bueschkens World Junior Chefs’ Challenge. Although she did not place in the top three, she did an outstanding job representing the U.S. among a pool of talented competitors. In the end, New Zealand took home third place, Malaysia took second place and a young chef from Canada won first place and the title of “Best Young Cook in the World.”
“The Hans Bueschkens World Junior Chefs’ Challenge brought together 14 of the best young cooks in the world, and it was an honor to have Kelly represent our country and its cuisine,” said Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, ACF national president. “Although she did not place in the top three, she made the U.S. proud by demonstrating extreme talent, determination and passion for the culinary arts.”
Conwell, supported by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and Custom Culinary, Inc., won the right to represent the U.S. on the world stage after winning the title of 2009 ACF Student Chef of the Year in Orlando, Fla., in July 2009. Conwell graduated from Johnson County Community College (JCCC), Overland Park, Kan., in May 2009, and has spent the past six months studying abroad in Germany.
In the “mystery basket” competition, 14 competitors developed their menus from a predetermined list of ingredients and created a three-course meal for eight people in three-and-a-half hours. The meal consisted of a starter, main course with appropriate sauce, a starch and vegetable, at least two, and a dessert.
The awards were presented at the Congress President’s Dinner, Jan. 28. Canada took home the international title of “Best Young Cook in the World,” the Hans Bueschkens Memorial Trophy, a gold medal and a certificate.
