Once again, one of the most anticipated dates for all rice masters around the world is approaching: September 20, international paella day. This year we celebrate the V edition of World Paella Day, an international celebration and competition where 8 to 10 chefs will reach the grand final to demonstrate their culinary skills and defend their country with their paella.

This year, like the previous one, the finalist chefs will participate in the World Paella Day Stage Valencia experience, an immersion in the culture of paella that will last 5 days, including scheduled visits to the Huerta de València, the Central Market, a walk and guide through the rice fields of the Albufera Natural Park and many more views and emblematic places of Valencian culture and gastronomy.

If you want to be one of the finalists of the largest rice competition, you can follow the following steps in this blog post to participate and show that you are one of the best rice farmers in your country.

Participation mechanics

Participation in this competition will be divided into four phases:

Phase 1. How to participate (Active until May 31)

To be able to participate, you must fill out this form and send a photo and video before May 31, 2024. The maximum duration of the video cannot exceed 59 seconds.

You must have at least:

- Your professional history

- What country do you want to represent?

- Why would you like to participate in the V World Paella Day CUP

You can send both the form and the video to the email: worldcup@worldpaelladay.org

Phase 2. Selection of finalists (Active from June 10 to June 23)

The best candidates will be selected to proceed to the final phase, these will be uploaded to www.worldpaelladay.org (or whatever digital medium is deemed appropriate) on June 10. They can be voted on by the public until June 23.

During this period, candidates will be able to campaign in the way they consider appropriate in the media and social networks, using the hashtag #WorldPaellDayCup.

It is warned that if fraud is detected in the voting, the contestant may be disqualified. The organization requests “fair play” between the candidates and will not accept any kind of cheating.

The jury, made up of professionals designated by the World Paella Day organization, taking into account the votes, the media and social media impact, entities/organizations that support the candidacy, as well as the candidates' careers and videos, will select the 8 or 10 finalists (and 3 reserves) before July 14.

Communication of selected candidates will be carried out via email in a personalized manner.

Phase 3. Final phase; World Paella Day Stage (Active from September 16 to 19)

The 8 or 10 selected finalists will be invited to come to Valencia to compete on September 20. During this invitation, the finalists are offered a complete Stage program of activities that will allow them to get to know Valencia and its province: the cradle of paella.

The World Paella Day organization will cover the costs of travel (train or flights in economy class) and accommodation for each finalist chef plus her assistant (in a double room), as well as the activities included in the Stage.

In the event that a contestant does not accept the conditions of participation, her place will be offered to the reserve finalists until the number of eight or ten selected is complete.

Phase 4. Final of the World Paella Day Cup 2024: September 20, 2024

Once the Stage phase is over, the 8 or 10 finalists will face each other, as well as the paellas, on September 20, live, in the space designated by the organization.

Prize

The winner of the competition will receive as a prize the trophy that will certify him as the winner of the V edition of the World Paella Cup. In addition, the second and third place winners will also receive a prize (the trophy transport jacks are not included).

All finalists will receive a commemorative jacket of the event and a certificate of their finalist status.

All finalists and assistants will be able to participate in the World Paella Day Stage (travel-plane or train ticket in economy class, accommodation – 4 nights in a double room AD – and travel and meals/dinners of the official program) in the days prior to the final.

Acceptance of the prize will require acceptance of the participation bases.

Aspects to take into account for participation

1- Materials (texts, images, videos,...) that are not sent correctly for the

participation and within the established dates will be disqualified.

2- Any participation that arrives outside the established deadlines will be discarded.

3- A single finalist per country will be selected.

4- Participants assign the image rights for the dissemination of the content in this promotional action indefinitely.

5- The jury and the organization may make the decisions they consider necessary for the proper functioning of the competition.

We hope that all this information makes it easier for you to participate in the rice event of the year. We are waiting for you on World Paella Day, ricers!