Calling all chefs! Registration has opened for the VII Concurso al Mejor Arroz del Mediterráneo para Aficionados (7th Best Mediterranean Rice Competition for Amateur Cooks), with qualifying events taking place across the Costa Blanca.
If your arroz always gets plenty of compliments around the table, Alicante Gastronómica is offering you the chance to put it to the test.
There are competitions for both adults and younger cooks, and the first qualifier takes place at Carrefour Petrer on September 12.
Ten finalists from each category will eventually compete at Alicante Gastronómica in October, with €1,000 for the adult winner and €500 for the winner of the children’s competition.
Five qualifying events across Alicante province
Alicante Gastronómica will hold five qualifying rounds at Carrefour shopping centres between September 12 and 26.
At each event, the winner and runner-up in both categories will qualify for the finals, giving 10 cooks in each category the chance to compete for the overall title.
The finals will take place during Alicante Gastronómica at IFA-Fira Alacant.
What can you cook?
There is plenty of room to bring your own favourite recipe to the competition.
Entrants can prepare any type of arroz seco or arroz meloso, meaning dry or creamy-style rice dishes. However, arroz caldoso, which has a much soupier consistency, is not allowed.
Organisers will provide competitors with a 32cm paella, and all dishes must be cooked using gas.
The competition aims to celebrate the traditional rice dishes prepared in homes across Alicante province, including recipes and techniques passed down through families.
Who can enter?
The competition is strictly for amateur cooks.
David Ivorra from the Petrer Tourist Office explained that professional cooks cannot take part. People who own or run restaurants or other catering establishments are also excluded.
Anyone heading to Petrer for the opening qualifier can also combine the competition with a day out in the town. Petrer will hold heritage activities on September 12, and the Tourist Office is encouraging visitors to explore the municipality while they are there.
Children and teenagers can compete too
The children’s category is open to anyone under the age of 17.
Young competitors can have an adult with them during the qualifying round.
The winner of the children’s final will receive €500, while the winner of the adult competition will take home €1,000.
How to enter
Registration is already open through the official competition website.
Register for the Best Mediterranean Rice Competition
So, if you have a favourite rice recipe that friends and family keep asking you to make, September could be the time to see how it measures up against other home cooks from around the Costa Blanca.
Bridging the Gap recap
- The VII Concurso al Mejor Arroz del Mediterráneo para Aficionados is a competition for amateur cooks.
- The first qualifier takes place at Carrefour Petrer on September 12.
- Five qualifying events will take place across Alicante province between September 12 and 26.
- There are separate adult and under-17 categories.
- Professional cooks and people who own or run restaurants cannot enter.
- Competitors can make arroz seco or arroz meloso, but not arroz caldoso.
- Organisers provide a 32cm paella and competitors cook using gas.
- The winner and runner-up at each qualifier progress to the October finals.
- The adult winner receives €1,000 and the children’s winner €500.
- Registration is open online.
