The hunt for the world’s top paella chef is officially underway as Valencia is preparing to host the World Paella Day 2026, an international culinary competition celebrating the city’s most iconic dish and its growing influence around the globe.
Scheduled for September 20, 2026, the World Paella Day Cup final will once again bring together elite chefs from around the world in the birthplace of paella. Until that date, competitors will battle through a series of qualifying events across three continents for the chance to represent their countries in the prestigious final.
This year’s edition marks the most extensive international program in the event’s history, reflecting the increasing popularity of Valencian cuisine and the worldwide appeal of authentic paella. Organizers have expanded the competition to include 12 qualifying rounds in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In the Americas, qualifying events will take place in Piriápolis, Uruguay; Barranquilla, Colombia; Quito, Ecuador; Querétaro, Mexico; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Asia will be represented by Tokyo, Japan, while European qualifiers are scheduled for Nîmes, France; Bucharest, Romania; Zurich, Switzerland; and Burgas, Bulgaria.
At each location, professional chefs will prepare paella live before panels of culinary experts. Competitors will be judged according to strict standards established by the World Paella Day organization.
Key evaluation criteria include flavor, texture, rice quality, cooking technique, and the coveted socarrat—the lightly caramelized layer of rice that forms at the bottom of the pan and is considered one of the defining characteristics of a perfectly cooked paella.
Only one winner from each qualifying event will earn a place in the grand final in València.
The finalists’ experience will extend beyond the competition itself. Before facing off in the final cook-off, participating chefs will be immersed in the culinary traditions and landscapes that inspired the dish. Organizers will introduce them to València’s fertile agricultural region, known as La Huerta, as well as the rice fields surrounding the nearby Albufera Natural Park, where many of the ingredients and techniques behind traditional Valencian paella originated.
Since its launch, World Paella Day has evolved into a major international showcase for Valencian gastronomy. The initiative promotes not only culinary excellence but also sustainability, respect for local products, and cultural exchange among participating countries.
The event has helped strengthen València’s reputation as the global capital of paella while introducing new audiences to the traditions behind one of Spain’s most famous dishes.
With a record number of qualifying events and growing international participation, organizers expect the 2026 edition to be the largest yet. On September 20, València will once again become the center of the culinary world as chefs, food lovers, and visitors gather to celebrate a dish that continues to unite cultures through food.
