Petrer amateur cooks invited to battle for Best Mediterranean Rice title

Amateur cooks will be putting their cooking skills to the test in Petrer on Saturday, September 12, when the town hosts the first qualifier for the seventh Best Mediterranean Rice Competition.

The contest, organised by Alicante Gastronomica, will take place at Carrefour Petrer and is open to anyone who fancies proving their family rice recipe deserves a place in the final.

Rice challenge

Competitors can prepare any variety of dry or creamy rice dish, although soupy rice is not permitted.

Each dish must be cooked using gas in a 32-centimetre paella pan supplied by organisers, putting contestants on an equal footing when it comes to equipment.

Professional cooks and people who own or run restaurants cannot enter, with the competition firmly aimed at enthusiastic home cooks who want to put their favourite recipes to the test.

The children’s category is open to anyone under 17, with youngsters allowed to have an adult accompanying them during the qualifier.

That gives younger cooks the chance to demonstrate their own kitchen skills while competing for a place in the Alicante final.

Five qualifiers

Petrer hosts the first of five qualifying rounds taking place across Alicante province between September 12 and 26.

The winner and runner-up from each qualifier will progress to the finals at Alicante Gastronomica at IFA-Fira Alacant in October, producing ten finalists in each category.

The competition provides amateur cooks from across the province with an opportunity to showcase traditional recipes, family favourites and their own interpretations of Mediterranean rice dishes.

With only the top two contestants from each qualifying round progressing, cooks will need to impress if they want to secure one of the coveted places in the final.

Cash prizes

There is also some serious prize money simmering away for those who make it all the way to the top.

The adult champion will receive €1,000, while the winner of the children’s competition takes home €500.

Before contestants can start thinking about the final, however, the first challenge will be producing their best rice dish in Petrer on September 12.

Entries are now open through the competition’s official website, giving amateur cooks the chance to sign up and see whether their favourite recipe has what it takes to be named the Best Mediterranean Rice.