WORLD ASSOCIATION OF CHEFS SOCIETIES
(WACS) UNVEILS TWO YOUNG CHEF AMBASSADORS
The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) is proud to
appoint two new young chef ambassadors – Jon Garratt from Canada and Jasper Jek
from Singapore. As WACS young chef ambassadors, they will represent the
continental area of WACS on behalf of the Young Chefs Development team, acting
as a conduit between young chefs, WACS associated members and educational
bodies.
“A WACS Young Chef Ambassador plays a central role in the
young chefs clubs in their continental area by reaching out to the association country
presidents and establishing a relationship with young chefs from within the
WACS associations,” says Andy Cuthbert, head of the WACS Junior Development
Team. “Jon and Jasper were selected because of their involvement and good work
with the young chef associations in their regions.
Into his second term as Junior President of the Okanagan
Chefs Association, Jon Garratt played a pivotal role in the award the chef
association received in 2011 for having the largest number of new junior chefs
in the country. In 2010, Jon was nominated by his peers for Junior Chef of the
Year and was also a part of the culinary team for the Winter Olympics
recognised for serving up the single best food experience in Olympic game
history that year.
Today, he is the Western Junior Representative for the
Canadian Culinary Federation and Junior Representative for the British Columbia
Culinary Arts Foundation while attending Okanagan College and working towards
completing his apprenticeship.
When not cooking in the kitchen, Jon can be found at a local
farm or producer learning about the many things the Okanagan Valley has to
offer. His food philosophy is simple, believing in using the best local and
freshest ingredients possible, allowing the individual flavours to speak for
themselves. “Flavour is key in what we do as chefs,” says Jon. “Waiting another
day for the fruit to ripen is well worth the wait.”
Since the formation of Singapore Junior Chefs Club in 2004,
Jasper Jek has worked extensively with the club’s vision of nurturing future
talents, holding various positions in its Executive Committee before helming
the club as President from 2006 to 2011. Under his presidency, the club
spearheaded many activities and was also named” Best Training Provider” in WA
Oceana Fest Competition in Perth, Australia and “Award of Excellence” by
Unilever Food Solutions. Jasper also started the Singapore Junior Culinary Team
to train young chefs for major overseas and international competitions under
the tutelage of seasoned veterans from the Singapore Chefs’ Association. Today,
other than working as chef de partie in Joël Robuchon Restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, Jasper
also serves in the sub-committee of the Singapore Chefs’ Association.
Jasper has represented Singapore in numerous WACS events,
including the WACS Asia-Pacific Forum in Kuala Lumpur in 2007, WACS Asia
Pacific Arica Forum in Singapore in 2008, WACS Congress in Dubai in 2008 and
the WACS Asia Forum in Daejeon in 2010.
Besides reading cookbooks, food essays and food magazines to
widen his culinary perspectives and knowledge on its history, food and culture,
Jasper also enjoys the arts, ballroom dancing and cycling. “I believe that good
food is simply what makes people feel happy”, says Jasper of his culinary
philosophy.
About WACS Young Chefs Ambassadors
The role of the WACS Young Chef Ambassadors was introduced by President
Gissur Gudmundsson at the WACS Congress2010 in Chile. They are to represent
young chefs worldwide and within WACS. This gives young chefs a voice and a
platform to be heard. The ambassadors are tasked with reaching out to the
member countries to establish Young Chefs Club in all of WACS regions, report
to the board and their own continental director on what is happening around the
world with young chefs and be the bridge between the young chefs of WACS and
the board members. Most importantly, they will spearhead and facilitate the contributing
role of young chefs within the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).
The Selection Process
All Continental directors are to recommend one Young Chef whom they
feel can make a difference, or young chefs can nominate themselves for this
role, with attached reference letters. The President of the member country’s
chef association will have endorse and support the young chef, followed by the
Continental Director. The information will be consolidated and submitted to the
Young Chef Development Team’s Chairman. Together with President Gudmundsson, a
decision will be made. There should be 7 WACS Young Chef Ambassadors in total
and the search is on for five more.
