Head Chef Calum Smith to Represent Wales at Young Global Chef World Finals

Shrewsbury School is wishing the very best of luck to Head Chef Calum Smith, Independents at Sodexo, as he prepares to represent Wales at the Young Global Chef World Finals 2026.

The Global Chefs Challenge finals form part of the Worldchefs Congress & Expo, taking place at ICC Wales in Newport from May 16th to 19th. It will be the first time the event has been held in the UK in its 98-year history.

In his final, Calum will have three hours to cook a three-course meal for four people to a challenging brief.

At just 25 years old, Calum has already built an impressive culinary reputation on the international stage. Having previously represented Wales at the Culinary World Cup, Culinary Olympics and Global Chefs competitions, he most recently helped lead Wales to gold at the Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot Challenge in Sharjah, UAE. Earlier this year, he was also crowned National Junior Chef of Wales 2025.

As Head Chef at Shrewsbury School, Calum continues to build on that success in his role at the heart of the School’s vibrant boarding community, where he oversees the preparation of nourishing, high-quality meals for pupils and staff.

Speaking ahead of the competition, Calum said:

“Working at Shrewsbury School and recently being named Head Chef is a huge privilege for me.

“It’s an incredible honour to represent my country on a global stage alongside so many talented chefs. I have taken enjoyment in planning for the competition, as I take great pride in attention to detail, and I’m confident my passion and flare will shine through in every course I present.”

Shrewsbury School Headmaster, Leo Winkley, said:

“We are immensely proud of Calum as he prepares to represent Wales on the world stage at the Young Global Chef World Finals 2026. His journey to this point, including winning Junior Chef of Wales in 2025, has been distinguished by his exceptional dedication, creativity and pursuit of excellence in his field.

“As Head Chef, Calum plays a vital role at the heart of Shrewsbury School. He takes great pride in providing comforting, nourishing and thoughtfully prepared meals, while also listening closely to pupils, championing sustainability and nutritional education, and continually evolving our dining experience.

“To see that same care, precision and passion now being showcased on an international platform is both inspiring and completely deserved. His achievements already stand among the very best in his industry.

“On behalf of the whole Shrewsbury community, I wish Calum every success in the competition.”

Michelle Houghton, Account Director, Independents by Sodexo, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Calum, not only for his competition achievements but also his day-to-day work at Shrewsbury school. His journey with Sodexo has been a true success story that we hope continues far into the future. Best of luck at Global, Chef Calum.”