The World Potato Congress (WPC) 2024 which will run all week was launched in South Australia on Sunday night with a Welcome Function for over 750 international and Australian delegates at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Hosted by Potatoes Australia Ltd the Congress is being held in Australia for the first time in its 25-year history.
Sponsored by the SA Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), the two-hour function was officially opened by the Hon Clare Scriven MLC Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Featuring the best of South Australian regional food and wine, particularly focusing on Adelaide as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the world, delegates from over 40 countries were also indulged by gastronomic delights prepared on-site by acclaimed chef Duncan Welgemoed of Africola fame.
Duncan produced exotic, sumptuous canapes with potatoes (of course) as the hero, including potato and chorizo bomba, potato scallops with ocean trout roe and whipped ‘truffled’ potato.
PIRSA Food and Wine Ambassadors mingled with delegates including WPC Inc President Dr Peter VanderZaag, Dr Nigel Crump, Interim Chair Potatoes Australia Ltd and Mrs Sonia Waterson, Executive Officer Potatoes Australia Ltd.
The WPC Inc. is a non-profit organisation supported by a group of volunteer directors representing potato jurisdictions around the world. It is the premier global networking body committed to driving sustainable growth of the potato, the world’s 3rd largest food crop, in both developed and developing countries.
The Congress will be convened in Adelaide from Monday 24 June until Wednesday 26 June and is convened biennially.
