The President of the Culinary Association of Wales has been given a top international honour.

Arwyn Watkins OBE has become a member of the Disciples Escoffier UK.

The Disciples d’Auguste Escoffier were created in 1954 by Jean Ducroux, a chef from Nice. Auguste Escoffier was a French chef who earned a worldwide reputation as director of the kitchens at the Savoy Hotel and later at the Carlton Hotel in London.

The International Order of Disciples of Auguste Escoffier aims to preserve his work and maintain great culinary traditions, promoting secondary, higher and professional training for chefs, as well as apprenticeships, the traditional path taken by 80% of starred chefs. Today, there are more than 20,000 members around the world.

The Order’s main goal is to encourage young people to be chefs. Members do this by working closely with schools, establishing links between professionals and students. The Order also works to promote the career with students’ parents, explaining more about the job and the opportunities for promotion it can bring.

Business News Wales editor Gemma Casey spoke to Arwyn about his award.