This edition of the Best Mediterranean Rice Contest returns to Alicante Gastronomica, marking its sixth running and continuing to strengthen the deep-seated rice tradition that Alicante communities have cultivated for generations. The contest stands as a culinary benchmark within the province, nurturing a lineage of recipes that have found a place on the menus of renowned and award-winning restaurants alike.
A total of 300 amateur chefs will take part in the qualifying rounds, which began in Petrer last weekend and will unfold in the weeks ahead. The schedule includes Elche on September 10, Torrevieja on September 11, San Juan on September 17, and Benidorm on September 18. The grand final will be staged during Alicante Gastronómica, featuring ten adult contestants and ten junior contestants who will emerge from the five qualifying rounds. The adult and junior finalists will showcase their skills on September 24 and September 25 respectively, under the auspices of the event’s format and stage structure.
In the final phase, the competition will be accompanied by a high-caliber panel of culinary leaders, who will determine the winners. The adult category will be assessed by a jury led by master Paco Torreblanca and chaired by Susi Díaz of La Finca in Elche, holder of one Michelin Star and one Repsol Sun. Andrea Tumbarello from Don Giovanni in Madrid, a recipient of two Soles Repsol, will evaluate the finalists’ works. The younger contestants will be judged by Joaquín Baeza of Baeza & Rufete in Alicante, holder of one Michelin Star and one Repsol Sun; Josetxo Pajares, renowned for winning the Best Paella prize in the Valencian Community at the International Sueca Competition; Noelia Pascual, World Paella Day winner; Save Llinares, MasterChef alum; the popular rapper Arkano, and agro-youtuber Michael Montoro. These esteemed names will help shape the final results, bringing a blend of traditional technique and contemporary interpretation to the competition.
Gastronomic Alicante brings together 40 Michelin stars and 60 Repsol soles
The president of Alicante Gastronómica emphasizes that the competition serves to promote rice culture and to render visible the recipes that have traveled through generations, recipes that families cherish at home and that amateur cooks bring to life on stage, highlighting the unique characteristics of each region in their approach to crafting excellent rice dishes. This event celebrates the enduring link between regional culinary heritage and modern gastronomy.
Gema Amor, speaking during Alicante Gastronómica, notes that haute cuisine is closely connected with local communities. She describes this collaboration as a distinctive feature that defines the province of Alicante and underlines the value of offering visitors a complete gastronomic experience on the national stage. The emphasis is on the blend of prestige and accessibility that characterizes the region’s culinary scene, where top-tier cooking coexists with the everyday knowledge and passion of local cooks.
first finalists
In the Petrel trials, the first contestants advancing to the final were Moises Osorio (adult category winner) and José Ricardo Rico alongside José Navarro (finalists), while Bianca Alonso (child category winner) and Eros Pastor (finalist) secured their places in the youth division. The qualification rounds are held at Carrefour centers, with support from the Diputación de Alicante and Turisme de la Generalitat Valenciana, along with Carmencita, Tescoma, Cepsa, Estrella Levante, and Dacsa as collaborating partners. The event continues to attract broad participation from the culinary community and keeps highlighting the region’s rich traditions in rice preparation and presentation, bringing the expertise of renowned brands and local sponsors into the spotlight. These partnerships help ensure a high level of competition and provide aspiring chefs with memorable opportunities to showcase their craft. [Cited from event organizers, Alicante Gastronómica]