By Kim Bo-eun

More than 3,000 chefs, sommeliers, culinary experts and related officials from 97 countries are expected to participate in the 2012 World Association of Chefs Societies Congress that opens in Daejeon today for a 12-day run.

It is the largest culinary event to be held in the nation.

“We aim to globalize hansik and promote Korean traditional cuisine around the world,” said Bok Jin-ho, the communications director of the organizing committee, in a phone interview today.

The WACS Committee program constitutes the main part of the congress themed “How to Feed the Planet in the Future.” It will also adopt a Daejeon Declaration at the conclusion.

“The declaration will present content on the development and diffusion of food for the future, in order to promote health and quality of life for humanity,” Bok said.

The Hans Bueschkens Young Chef Challenge for junior participants under 25 will be held on Thursday followed by the Global Chef Challenge on Friday.

The International Food Fair which WACS has certified as the nation’s first international cooking contest will start today and continue through Saturday. It is composed of 39 divisions with 639 teams competing live, cooking Korean cuisine and gourmet dishes.

From May 7 to May 9, the Best Sommelier of Asia-Oceania Competition will open with 500 participants from 45 countries. The Association of Sommelier International Convention will be held on May 8.

Other programs include the Korea Distinctive Food Contest that promotes traditional Korean food as well as the Daejeon International Food Industry Exhibition which will spread knowledge on food and cooking.

Admission is free. For more information, visit http://new.wacs2012.org.