On Saturday, May 23rd, 2025, the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort Hotel was filled with aromas, flavours, and joy at the eighth edition of the Paella Festival “Concurso de Paellas”, a gastronomic celebration with a cause that brought together the best of the destination’s hotel talent.
Organized by the Los Cabos Rotary Club, in collaboration with the Los Cabos Hotel Association, the event began at 1:00 p.m.. It concluded shortly after 6:00 p.m., leaving a trail of unforgettable flavours among the nearly 400 attendees.
Sixteen hotels participated, each offering unique paellas with their distinctive stamp, creativity, technique, and seasoning. In addition, the SKAL Los Cabos Group, special guest and sponsor, delighted those present with an out-of-competition paella, making a total of 17 delicious proposals.
The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the presence of wines, tequilas, craft cocktails, and an exquisite dessert bar, creating a complete sensory experience. And as if that wasn’t enough, live music by Gramusik “Megitano Dueto” and DJ Alejandro Rivas accompanied the day, creating a lively and very special atmosphere.
The jury, comprising renowned experts from the gastronomic world, evaluated presentation, taste, rice texture, technique, and the ever-present socarrat. After a close deliberation, third place went to Krystal Grand Los Cabos; second place to Grand Fiesta Americana; and first place, for the second consecutive year, went to Hilton Los Cabos. Executive Chef Mauricio Lopez and his team were recognised for their impeccable work.
Beyond the flavour and competition, the heart of the festival is its purpose: to support the Rotary Club Los Cabos Scholarship Programme, which currently benefits 19 middle school, high school and university students. This year, with great pride, they celebrated the university graduation of a young scholarship recipient, as well as the participation of two students in an exchange programme in Taiwan.
The Paella Festival is more than just a culinary event: it is an expression of generosity, collaboration, and community. A must-attend event that celebrates the best of Los Cabos with a clear goal: to transform lives through education.
