Registration Open for the XII Rice Competition at the Tomares Fair 2026

The Tomares Town Hall has opened the registration period from July 1 to July 15 for the XII Rice Competition, which will take place on September 4 at 12:30 PM at the Municipal Pavilion, with prizes of up to €300.

The Tomares Town Hall has set the wheels in motion for one of the most anticipated events of its fair: the XII Rice Competition. Local residents interested in showcasing their culinary skills can now register from July 1 to July 15, both dates inclusive. The contest will be held on Friday, September 4 at 12:30 PM at the Municipal Pavilion, as part of the Tomares Fair, which will take place from September 2 to 6.

The competition will award €300 for the first prize, €200 for the second, and €100 for the third. This is a unique opportunity for amateur cooks in the area to shine with their best recipes. Registration is free and can be done in two ways: through the Town Hall's Electronic Headquarters with a digital certificate, or in person at the Citizen Attention Service, located at Calle De La Fuente No. 10, Monday to Friday from 08:30 AM to 02:30 PM, by appointment.

Rules and Requirements for Participating in the Rice Competition

Participants must be over 16 years old, as well as minors accompanied by their legal guardian. The number of spots is limited to between 15 and 20 participants, so the organisers recommend registering quickly. On August 24, the Town Hall will notify by phone or email who has been accepted and who has not.

The Town Hall, through the Delegation of Major Festivals and Traditions, will provide the basic ingredients: rice, oil, tomatoes, peppers, water, onion, garlic, salt, and white wine. It will also supply butane cylinder, plates, cutlery, and bread for tasting. Each participant must bring their own burner and paella pan, as well as the broth already prepared and the other ingredients already peeled, chopped, and washed. The sauté, however, must be made on-site.

Contestants must be at the municipal pavilion between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM. To avoid overcrowding, three groups will be established: group 1 will start at 12:30 PM and have time until 2:00 PM; group 2 from 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM; and group 3 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. The free tasting for the public will begin at 2:00 PM, just as the dishes start to be ready.

A Classic that Liven Up the Tomares Fair by Day

The Rice Competition has become one of the classics of the Tomares Fair. According to the Town Hall, the aim is to fill the fairgrounds with animation and good atmosphere on Friday at noon, so that residents can enjoy the fair not only at night but also during the day. And they certainly achieve this: the aroma of paella and the bustle of cooks competing for the best dish have become a tradition that no one wants to miss.

The jury, composed of people of recognized expertise in the culinary world, will evaluate aspects such as presentation, taste, ingredients used, and preparation. Residents who do not participate can come to the pavilion from 2:00 PM to taste for free all the creations. A perfect opportunity to eat well without spending much, while cheering on the contestants.

The complete rules can be downloaded from the municipal website www.tomares.es. For more information, the Town Hall recommends following their social media: Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. So, if you have a knack for cooking and want to win some cash, don’t miss this opportunity. Just make sure to practice your rice cooking skills: the competition promises to be tough and the jury demanding.