HP Newsroom
Ahmad Shafiq, President of the Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP), played a prominent role in representing Pakistan at the 41st World Association of Chefs’ Societies Congress & Expo 2026 held in Newport, Wales, where he actively engaged with global culinary leaders, international chefs, hospitality educators, and gastronomy experts to strengthen Pakistan’s connection with the international culinary community.
During the four-day global gathering, Ahmad Shafiq held meetings with the leadership of Worldchefs as well as several internationally renowned figures and world leaders in culinary arts. The discussions focused on culinary innovation, gastronomy, chef development, hospitality education, sustainable food practices, and international collaboration in the food and beverage industry.
Through these interactions, he highlighted Pakistan’s rich culinary heritage, diverse regional cuisines, growing hospitality education sector, and the country’s ongoing efforts to uplift culinary arts through professional training, international exposure, and youth development initiatives. Accompanying him at the international event were Mian Shahid Mehmood, Secretary General of CAP, and Usaid Ahmad, Operations Head of College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) Karachi.
Ahmad Shafiq said that Pakistan has immense culinary potential and deserves stronger recognition at the global level. “Pakistan is a country rich in culinary traditions, flavours, and cultural diversity. Our objective at Worldchefs Congress was not only to represent Pakistan, but also to build meaningful international relationships that can create opportunities for our chefs, students, and hospitality professionals,” he said. He noted that global platforms like Worldchefs Congress help promote cultural understanding and professional collaboration through food. “Culinary arts today are not limited to kitchens only. They are connected with tourism, culture, economy, education, and international relations. We want the world to see Pakistan as a country with extraordinary culinary talent and hospitality potential,” Ahmad Shafiq added.
During his meetings with Worldchefs leadership and international delegates, discussions also revolved around chef exchange programs, culinary competitions, professional certifications, educational collaborations, and future partnerships that could benefit Pakistan’s hospitality and culinary sectors.
He further shared Pakistan’s initiatives aimed at empowering young chefs and students through skill-based education, international exposure, and industry-driven training programs. “Our focus is on preparing Pakistani youth according to international standards. We are continuously working to create pathways for young culinary professionals so they can compete confidently on global platforms,” he remarked.
The Congress featured participation from hundreds of delegates from around the world, including internationally renowned chefs, culinary institutions, hospitality brands, and food industry leaders. It also included keynote sessions, live demonstrations, exhibitions, and the Global Chefs Challenge Finals.
Ahmad Shafiq’s active engagement throughout the Congress was widely seen as a positive step towards positioning Pakistan more prominently within the international culinary and gastronomy landscape. His participation reflected the growing efforts of CAP and COTHM to connect Pakistan’s hospitality sector with global industry networks and opportunities.
Through dialogue, collaboration, and representation at the prestigious international forum, Ahmad Shafiq successfully projected a progressive image of Pakistan’s culinary industry and reinforced the country’s commitment to promoting culinary arts at the global level.
