A Llanidloes chef had a special reason to celebrate his 50th birthday, after been appointed the new manager of Culinary Team Wales.

Nick Davies, a gold medallist chef who works as a culinary craft trainer with Cambrian Training, steps up to manage the globe-trotting team of chefs, having previously been a team member and captain.

He takes over from Toby Beevers following the team’s silver and bronze medals at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg last November.

He took six years out of the team to run an award-winning restaurant at the Lion Hotel, Llandinam.

And having won gold medals at the Culinary World Cup and Hotel Olympia with Wales and an individual gold in the Worldchefs Global Chef regional competition, he knows what it takes to achieve success on the international stage.

“I am looking for chefs who are committed, have a really good skill level, who want to progress in their career and will be proud to represent Wales,” he said.

“I would like a commitment of at least four years because it’s vital that we go to two or three international competitions together to gain knowledge and progress.

"The aim is to build on what the team achieved at the Culinary World Cup last year and to re-energise by working together to create a positive and exciting environment.

"Ideally, I want a squad with different skills and talents and I want selection to be open and transparent.

"My phone is always on if a chef wants to join the squad. I shall be travelling around Wales to meet chefs and businesses and shall be scouting at the Welsh International Culinary Championships in February."

Chefs wishing to join Culinary Team Wales are asked to contact Mr Davies on 07944 747902.

See this week's Machynlleth & Llanidloes paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now