On Saturday, June 22, 2024, the prestigious and highly anticipated Paella Festival, “Concurso de Paellas,” organized by the Los Cabos Rotary Club and the Los Cabos Hotel Association, took place in its seventh edition. More than 400 attendees attended the event at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, which hosted it for the second consecutive year.
Fourteen renowned hotels in the area participated in the 7th edition. Paella Festival shows their talent and creativity in preparing and presenting delicious paellas. Each hotel showcased a unique paella featuring a variety of aromas, flavours, and techniques that were judged by a panel of experts. In addition, Grupo SKAL International Los Cabos joined as a sponsor of the event. Although it did not participate as a contestant, it delighted the guests with its exquisite paella, adding up to 15 paellas for the attendees’ delight. visitantes.
In addition to the delicious paellas, attendees enjoyed excellent wine, tequila and exquisite cocktails offered by our sponsors, further enhancing the event experience. Visitors also tasted desserts at the end of the paella presentation.
This event was a culinary feast and brought the community together to support a noble cause: the Rotary Club Los Cabos Scholarship Program, which has supported young people in our community for more than ten years. Currently, 19 students benefit from this program, which helps them to continue their studies in secondary school, high school, and university. Some of these young people have been on scholarship since elementary school. Two students have participated in the International Exchange Program, and among the outstanding achievements, one is about to study in Taiwan, and the other will soon conclude her exchange in Belgium. These successes reflect the program’s positive impact and the community’s concerted effort to provide valuable educational opportunities.
The hotels that participated in this 7th edition were: .
- Hotel Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
- Solmar Resort
- Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos
- Sandos Finisterra
- Westin Vacation Club Los Cabos
- Hotel El Ganzo
- Viceroy Los Cabos
- Cabo Azul Resort Los Cabos
- Bahía Hotel Beach House
- Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos
- Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
- One & Only Palmilla
- Club Cascadas de Baja
- Dreams Los Cabos
The jury was formed by Claudia Velo, Nacho Labandeira, Chef Edgar Roman, Jesús Corral, José Andrés Plasencia Díaz, Chef Alexis Palacios, Ernesto Luna, and Jorge Viaña. After a difficult decision, the jury awarded first place to the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort Hotel, with special recognition to Executive Chef Mauricio López and his winning team, Yesenia Enríquez Martínez and Luis Antonio Hernández Díaz. This committee qualified several aspects, such as presentation, temperature, technique, flavour, rice texture, ingredients and socarrat (It is one of the essential keys for fabulous flavour created by the crusty, crispy bottom of the paella that becomes caramelized and toasted on the bottom of the pan when it is cooking).
The evening was enlivened by the talented musicians of Gramusik “Melon Sound” and DJ Alejandro Rivas, who provided a unique musical experience. In addition, our master of ceremonies, Edgar Chavarría, participated and guided the evening exceptionally.
With the help of sponsors, support, and donations, approximately 400,000 pesos were raised to assist 19 young scholarship recipients, demonstrating their commitment to giving before focusing on themselves. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Rotary Club Scholarship Program.
The Los Cabos Rotary Club’s Paella Festival has established itself as a symbolic event in the region that fuses gastronomy, solidarity, and community spirit. We eagerly anticipate the next edition, which will amaze and bring joy to all food enthusiasts.
We want to thank our sponsors, as it would not be possible without their support:
Los Cabos Hotel Association, Hilton Los Cabos, PR Solutions, Los Cabos WareHouse Rentals, Avantec, VIP Mexico, AV Proyectos, Gramusik, Cabo Mil Radio, Baja Wines, The Wine Co, Vinicola El Vizcaino, Cabo Liquor and Wines, Club del Corcho, Tequila Cabo Único, Tequila Cinco Perros, Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila, Loco Tequila, Martell, Monkey 47, Avión Tequila, Sierra de la Laguna Brewery, Cabo Mercante, Los Cabos Ride, Hospiten, SKAL International Los Cabos, D’Ross Event Design, Saint Lukes Hospitals, DJ Alejandro Rivas, Diego Urquiza Productions, Casa Bella Hotel Boutique, Mercedes Benz Natsa, Media Print and Caligas.
