Overview

• Sabor Amar Paellas of Quito, led by chef Tomás Angulo Salas with assistant Karina Iturralde, earned the top title with a €2,500 prize and a silver medallion.
• Lenin Ruelas Cocina from Aguascalientes, Mexico, finished second, and Casa Macario of Tavernes de la Valldigna, Spain, placed third.
• Category awards went to Los Reyes (Málaga) for best national, La Llarga (València) for best Valencian Community, Jardins Blau Mar (Sueca) for best local, and Paellas Socarrat (Chile) for best international outside Spain.
• This 64th edition assembled 40 finalists from 14 countries with first-time representation from all five continents, following semifinals in Guadalajara, Castellón, Mexico and Japan.
• Organizers designated a collective Paellero de Honor for people affected by the recent DANA storm, with regional tourism official Israel Martínez accepting the tribute on stage.