Switzerland and Finland head to North Wales for Battle for the Dragon competition

Each team is challenged to cook a three-course meal for 80 people. Finland will cook a main course using Welsh Lamb on Tuesday, February 23. The Welsh National Culinary Team will cook Welsh Pork on Wednesday and Switzerland will use Welsh Beef in their main course on Thursday. The winning team receives a specially commissioned Dragon Trophy. The Swiss team comprises: captain Kilian Michlig, Daniel Gehriger, Fernando Michlig, Kilian Meichtry, Christof Nienstedt and pastry chefs Norbet Schwery and Mario Inderschmitten. "The team has never been to Wales before and we look forward to the challenge and certainly the interesting conversations with other teams," said Kilian Michlig. "The Swiss team appreciates the opportunity to coo with Welsh Beef, which we know is famous for its quality." Meanwhile Finland has chosen the battle as the first competition for its new culinary team, comprising seven men and three young women, which was selected last August. The youngest member is 22 and the oldest 32. The competing chefs are: captain Sami Huhtanen, Tapio Saarinen, Risto Tepponen, Toni Kostian, Juhani Hiltunen and. Kira Weckman. We've been practising for four months," said team manager Tapio Laine. "We eat and work together two weekends and six days a month and the motivation is very good." The Welsh International Culinary Championships are organised by the Welsh Culinary Association and sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government and Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales.