Puerto Rico to hold World Paella Day Cup Qualifier this weekend

Chef Christopher Eugene González Caro

By The Star Staff

This Saturday, 10 Puerto Rican chefs will compete in the 2025 World Paella Day Cup Qualifier, a competition that celebrates local culinary talent and showcases the island’s ability to excel on the international stage.

Among the participants is Christopher Eugene González Caro, a talented young chef with Down syndrome, who embodies the passion and diversity of Puerto Rico.

The qualifier will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Vivo Beach Club in Isla Verde, and admission is free. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample exquisite paellas, enjoy live music, and support local chefs who aim to elevate Puerto Rico in the culinary world.

The event is supported by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and will determine who will represent the island in the grand finale on Sept. 20 in Valencia, Spain. There, the Puerto Rican chef will compete against culinary talents from 12 countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, China and Japan. The final will be held at La Marina de Valencia in an area known as La Pérgola, with the theme “Paella: A Universal Language,” highlighting the cultural significance and unifying nature of the iconic dish.

As a prelude to Saturday’s competition, the participants will take part in an exclusive master class on Friday led by world champion Puerto Rican chef Joe W. Padilla Castro and Colombian runner-up Miguel Ángel Moreno. Both will share their techniques, strategies and experiences from the international culinary arena.

“The World Paella Day Cup opened the doors to the world for me,” Padilla said. “Today, I’m excited to see chefs like Christopher and many others demonstrate that passion and effort can break any barrier and put Puerto Rico in the international spotlight.”

The 10 chefs participating in the World Paella Day Puerto Rico 2025 Qualifiers are: Roger Sandoval Borges from Carne con Carne; Jorge Masó Martínez from El Gato de Lavapiés; Julio Meléndez Alméstica from Fogoneros; Joe W. Padilla del Valle from Burbujas Café; Luis René Berríos Rivera from Paella Creativa; José Santos, a private chef; Pedro Otero Carrasquillo from Vivo Beach Club; José Antonio Martín Grau from Grillers Puerto Rico; and Christopher E. González Caro from CHRISin Límites.