World Association of Master Chefs – A History
The “WAMC World Association of Master Chefs” (WAMC) original spirit and concept originated from the Australian immigration boom beginning in 1949 after the Australian government changed the immigration laws in late 1948. A large number of immigrants from Europe brought new opportunities for communication and cooperation between Australia and the world’s food and beverage industry.
On the 4th September 1950, a small group of respected chefs from around the country came together to form a group dedicated to promoting the development and exchange of global hospitality culture. This group originally called the “World Master Chef Group” had a deep sense of fellowship and supported the essence of international hospitality culture in Australia. With world hospitality in continuous development at all levels, it grew into a strong group with a global resource network, international academic exchange, international education professional certification, and international cooking professional training. Over the years members spread out and the main functions of the group began to soften. Members kept the group alive but without some dedicated leadership the groups purpose and principles we being swallowed up by the world.
In October of 2006, A collection of Celebrity and Professional Chefs met together to begin formalizing the Association. Key Chefs had previously been invited as guests to a function hosted by the Vocational Training Council in Hong Kong. Through discussion and a lot of late nights, the group established a Culinary Arts Centre in China. Several Chefs moved on to celebrity careers around the world. For the next two years, several key members continued to grow the hospitality skills programs and competitions. In addition to their ongoing work, they continued to operate and oversee several other institutions such as the International Culinary and Hospitality Association (ICHA), the International Wine Academy (IWA), and most importantly the World Master Chef Group.
In 2006, initiated by the Chinese Culinary Institute of Hong Kong invited Mr Sunly Lo to participate in a special summit of leaders from the Hospitality industry from around the world. The theme of the summit was “21st Century Hospitality Industry Insight” and Mr Lo was asked to be one of four speakers on this topic. Following this summit, the association grew and develop with continued meetings between other associations and chefs who were able to provide guidance and support as WAMC grew. Eventually, the decision was made to combine the three core ventures into one unified structure and the name “World Association of Master Chefs” (WAMC) was chosen as the core name. This decision was based on his years of previous growth and development as well as the networks and relationships that had been formed, and with advice provided by leaders and other Stakeholders, Mr Lo was appointed as the Chairman. The World Association of Master Chefs grew to become a recognized brand within the hospitality industry across Asia and Australia.
As the global culinary and cuisine association grew, WAMC has become a platform for promoting international culinary art and food culture to the world thus legitimizing the original groups’ heritage. Not one to bost in the limelight or media WAMC continued its growth, working behind the scenes to make changes and support the hospitality industry at the ground level.
Today WAMC is represented in many countries with many thousands of members in all levels of Hospitality and Tourism. New growth has commenced and a firm and structured approach to education has become the focal point for WAMC for the future.
The initial function and service of WAMC
The idea and the concept of the WAMC are to provide a worldwide sharing platform for professional skills and experiences. With this worldwide network, various celebrity chefs, masters, and hospitality experts from around the world are invited to join the membership of WAMC. With their valuable support and assistance, WAMC can assist in the realization of dreams and promoting the international culinary field along with worldwide cuisine and culture-sharing activities through television shows, magazines, and others.
With the suggestion and advice from the legal sector, WAMC is registered in Hong Kong and also Australia through our partnerships. This is because the WAMC network covers international activities in various countries like Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, England etc, and due to the difference of regulations and laws, as well as the restriction and limitation in each region on association or non-profit organisation. In addition, many of the WAMC activities and functions involve legal contracts and agreements, plus Australian based association or non-profit organisation are also restricted and limited in overseas expansion or international activity by local statute and taxation guardian.
Like many organisations around the world, the association prides itself on the excellence of its members and the skills which they bring to the industry. The common cry of the association which is in Latin is “dignitatem ex hoc conatus” which in English means “excellence through effort“, a fitting statement for the skill level and dedication of all associated.
Personal Point of View on WAMC
Continuing to promote and develop the WAMC is an aim all members have. The oriental culinary and food culture is actually very broad, rich, and colorful, but unfortunately, the incomprehension and criticism by the media has misguided this perception as too ordinary and non-healthy, Therefore, a cultural exchange and sharing platforms are needed to improve this perception, to share the experience and minimise the culture gap. As an Australian Chinese, Sunly Lo wished to offer an opportunity to the international catering industry and fellow culinary masters to enjoy, introduce and admire the culinary art and food culture of Asia, as well as joining into the largest market in the world. In the meantime, it is also a valuable chance for all the culinary masters to show and demonstrate their talent to the world through the internationally recognised standard of the Australian professional assessment. Besides this, it is also a great chance to open up the opportunity of international business and worldwide job opportunity through specialised training services and offerings.
As a worldwide culinary and catering sharing platform, WAMC is currently progressing and inviting celebrity chefs, masters, and catering specialists from around the world to participate and join the chairman board of WAMC. It is a great honor to be invited and also an affirmation and appreciation of the individual’s professional status in the industry. WAMC is offering great space and platform for everyone to enjoy the quality of professional skills, the chance of professional upgrade, and global business opportunities. Our current Secretary-General and Presidents consist of representatives from many countries around the world and we continue to grow the membership opportunities.