Croatian Cuisine present in the world. 88 countires attended the 34th World Congress
Zdravko Kalabric
Zdravko Kalabric at the 34th Congress of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS) in Santiago de Chile, January 24-28, 2010
| Along with his friend and colleague, Zlako Marinovic (Chef/Owner of Nostromo in Split and captain of the regional team participating in the 2008 Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany), Chef Kalabric flew in from Brodarica to attend the 34th WACS Congress held in Santiago de Chile. In 1963 he had moved to Canada and worked his way up in some of the most prestigious kitchens, including the Ritz Carlton Montreal, the Chateau Champlain and a private club in Toronto. Through the 1970’s and 1980’s, as well as in 1996, he participated as a member of the Canadian national team in the Culinary Olympics (IKA) that are held in Germany every four years. After his retirement he moved back to Croatia, where he became the advisor to the first Croatian national team to attend the 2008 Culinary Olympics in Erfurt. The team achieved the bronze medal in the hot dishes category and grand distinction in the cold kitchen–quite impressive for a first run. At the next Culinary Olympics, the team will include a woman pastry chef. This year he advises the Croatian Junior team for their participation in the 11th Salon International de la Gastronomie at Expogast 2010, which will be held November 20-24 in Luxembourg. Sretno, hrvatske juniorske ekipe! Submitted by Susanne Metz, Special Advisor to Women in WACS |
| Delegates, spouses and sponsors from 88 countries emerged into the sunshine and splendour of Santiago, Chile. We all met for a reception at the Sheraton hotel. Old friends got reacquainted, new friends were made while enjoying the hospitality of the Chilean Gastronomy Association, host of the 34th WACS congress. Fernando A. De la Fuente Espina, President and Jacqueline Rodriguez Echevarria, General Manager of the Chilean Gastronomy Association, ACHIGA gave us a warm welcome. Gissur Gudmundsson, President of WACS officially opened the ceremony and introduced Claus Meyer and Brian Cotterhill who inducted 10 new Honorary Members of WACS. New Honorary Members Jorge E. Monti – Brazil,CD America Armand Steinmetz, Luxembourg Central Europe István Petö, Hungary – Central Europe Patrick Diethelm – Swiss, Central Europe Ondrej Antovszky – Slovakia, Central Europe Konrad Spinell, Tyrolean – Central Europe Manjit Singh Gill, India – Asia Tahir Amiraslanov, Azerbaijan – North Europe Paul Moore – Australia Pacific Eddy Fernades Monte – South America |
| Another highlight of the Congress was a seminar on Women in WACS, chaired by Susanne Metz, special advisor for Women in WACS. It included a spirited discussion on a wide range of issues, one of which was put forward to the entire conference for consideration for the 2012 Congress in Korea. WACS honorary president, Bill Gallagher of South Africa, asked that WACS official languages of English, German, French and Spanish be changed “to reflect the new realities of its worldwide membership.” In documenting the proposal, Gissur Gudmundsson, president, explained how providing real-time translation of four languages is already one of the greatest single costs the association faces. Full story Nine new countries were inducted into WACS, along with one new affiliated member, bringing the international membership to 80 countries. The new member countries are: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guam, Ghana, Namibia, Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan; the new affiliate member is Honduras. |
