International Chefs Day President's Message
Reykjavik,
Thursday, 16 October 2008
October 20th of this year is the fifth year anniversary of International Chefs Day and as in the past years it is a day for us chefs to give back some time to our community and families.
WACS has a special responsibility in promoting respect for chefs worldwide. But it also has the responsibility, as the Global Authority on Food, to “highlight the plight of the hungry” as Dr. Bill Gallagher, the instigator of International Chefs Day, once said. I believe that as an organization of chef societies with such a diverse membership we should be able to function as an effective spokesman for all food-related issues.
With today’s very real economic instability worldwide, the costs of food keep going up and there are real shortages of it in some places. International Chefs Day should, more than ever, serve as an opportunity to help those in need in this area.
International Chefs Day is also an opportunity for chefs to have fun together while doing something, usually through food-related charities. It is also a good time to acknowledge our families who stand by us everyday and who, we know have to put up with us being in a tough industry.
I really want to encourage all of you, the WACS member countries, to try to emphasize the International Chefs Day in your countries, towns and restaurants and do something special.
The activities on International Chefs Day should be:
1. Something charity-related.
2. Something fun for chefs and their families.
3. Something that will focus attention on the day (it’s a good time to involve the local media; newspapers, television, radio).
4. Something that will not cost anything or, if it does, that can pay itself.
Let’s remember that it’s not enough just to have the right principles and say what we think should happen. We also have to ask who is going to make it happen!
We need dedicated individuals and dynamic associations to make a difference, not only in our profession but also in all food-related areas.
The task of making sure that this takes place lies at the heart of what WACS stands for. In this task more than any other, WACS needs passionate spirits, like yours, to help out others in time of need.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to support your initiatives for this day and also send us news of what plans for events you have in your country, either before or after the events. We will be having a special area for it on the website.
I hope to hear of all of your activities around the world!
With Chefs Regards,
Gissur Gudmundsson
International Chefs Day Honorary Life President's Message
As the 20th of October approaches and we celebrate International chefs day , it is time to reflect upon the last year and ask ourselves what have we done to improve the lives of others, we as chefs have the unique privilege that we feed, nourish, and sustain life through our cooking. I know that many of you will be doing charity work on this day assisting people who are less fortunate than you may be, for this I both congratulate you and encourage all our other colleagues to take your lead. It is also a day to celebrate our profession our craft, skills and artistry and to be proud of wearying the chefs jacket and white hat which after all is the most recognizable uniform in the world. I hope you enjoy the day with your family and friends around you and that the International friendship that we share will grow even stronger and through The World Association of Chefs Societies we can continue to promote the most noble of the arts that being the Culinary Art.
Happy International Chefs Day and warmest regards.
Dr Bill Gallagher MCG
Honorary Life President World Association of Chefs Societies