Estepona paella contest returns with €1,000 prize to be won

The paella pans are heating up and the rice is getting ready as Estepona’s second paella contest will take place this Sunday, May 31, transforming Parque El Calvario into a lively cooking and tasting hub. Organised by Estepona Town Hall through the municipal Culture Department, the event follows the success of last year’s debut celebrating all that there is to love about one of Spain’s classic dishes. 

Registration closed after all 20 places filled

Although registration for cooks has now closed, the town hall confirmed that all 20 available places were filled during the application window, which ran from April 22 to May 18. Amateur chefs entered individually or in teams, each required to bring their own equipment, including paella pans, gas burners and utensils. Participants must also supply their own ingredients, with the exception of 1 litre of oil and the necessary vegetables, provided by Frutas y Verduras Acosta and the Andalusian Cooperative Society Aceites de Sierra de Yeguas.

Public tasting begins at 2pm

Spoons and forks at the ready as visitors will be able to enjoy freshly prepared paella from 2pm, with each portion priced at €5. Every team is required to cook a minimum of 50 portions, ensuring plenty of dishes for the public to sample throughout the afternoon. You won’t be short of a beverage to wash it down with as the bar service will be run by the Royal and Old Brotherhood of the Holy Christ of Veracruz. 

Event schedule and jury of culinary professionals

Cooks will arrive from 12pm to receive their assigned number and cooking space, allocated in order of registration. A jury made up of renowned professionals from the restaurant sector will evaluate the dishes before awarding the generous prizes, €1,000 for first place, €500 for second, €250 for third, and 17 gifts of €100.

For more information on the day you can visit the Estepona town hall website.