Qualifying rounds for world paella day 2026, to be held on september 20th, are now underway
The city of Valencia has officially launched the international calendar for World Paella Day 2026, the annual celebration that pays tribute to Valencian paella as a global icon of Mediterranean gastronomy. Over the coming months, several qualifying rounds will determine who will compete in the grand world final, scheduled for September 20, 2026, in Valencia.
A global circuit with 12 rounds across the Americas, Asia, and Europe
This year, the competition expands its international reach with 12 qualifying rounds across three continents. In the Americas, competitions will be held in Piriápolis (Uruguay), Barranquilla (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador), Querétaro (Mexico), and San Juan (Puerto Rico). In Asia, the selected host city is Tokyo (Japan). In Europe, the rounds will take place in Nimes (France), Bucharest (Romania), Zurich (Switzerland), and Burgas (Bulgaria). Additionally, the program includes three continental rounds: one for the Americas in Piriápolis, and two for Europe in Copenhagen (targeting Scandinavia and the Baltic republics) and in Burgas (for the rest of the European countries).
At each destination, professional chefs will cook live before a specialized jury following the standards defined by the organization. The evaluation criteria include flavor, texture, the cooking point, and the traditional socarrat.
One winner per round and a final with a Mediterranean soul
Each qualifying round will produce a single winner who will represent their country in the final in Valencia. Before the competition, the finalists will enjoy a gastronomic and cultural experience designed to delve into the dish's origins: the Valencian orchard (the "huerta"), the Albufera rice fields, and the Mediterranean environment that inspires the recipe.
World Paella Day has established itself as an international platform dedicated to strengthening the link between Valencia and its most emblematic dish, promoting values such as culinary excellence, sustainability, respect for local products, and cultural exchange between countries. Its annual growth confirms its global media impact and Valencia's role as the world capital of paella.
Registration open for professionals
Chefs interested in participating can submit their applications through the official competition website, www.worldpaelladay.org. The selection of participants will be based on professional background, gastronomic proposal, and affinity with the project's values.
The 2026 edition features the highest number of qualifying rounds to date, reinforcing the competition's international projection and its goal of finding the best paella ambassador in the world. On September 20, Valencia will once again become the international gastronomic epicenter with an event open to the public that blends tradition, innovation, and culinary culture.
