Resounding success in the fourth edition of the Paella Challenge in Constanza
The municipality of Constanza dressed up to celebrate the fourth edition of the Paella Challenge, an event that managed to gather a crowd in a day dedicated to family unity and the commemoration of the 71 years since the arrival of the first Spanish migrants to this area of La Vega.
The activity, which has established itself as a cultural and gastronomic benchmark, featured the participation of 19 contestants who put their culinary skills to the test in the Valencian Paella and Seafood Paella categories. The event was more than a competition; it became a festival that integrated music, artistic performances, and an atmosphere of constant celebration.
A celebration of identity and tradition
The opening day was marked by a colorful parade that traveled through the main streets of Constanza. The procession included the baton ballet, municipal authorities, institutional representatives, and a notable presence of students and teachers from the Gastón F. Deligne and Felipe Soriano Bello polytechnics.
The Paella Challenge seeks to strengthen the historical ties between Constanza and Spain, using gastronomy as a universal language of encounter and celebration of our cultural identity.
The initiative, devised by businessman Carlos Matías Quezada (Carlucho), had the blessing of parish priest Ambiorix Tolentino and the support of various personalities from the social, business, and political spheres, including Mayor Francisco Marte (Kiko) and representatives of the Spanish Club.
The award winners of the day
A specialized jury, composed of subject matter experts, rigorously evaluated each dish based on criteria such as flavor, presentation, texture, and the perfect point of the socarrat. The results were as follows:
- Valencian Paella: First place went to José Miguel Berlanga, followed by Ricardo Almanzár in second place and Daniela Acevedo in third.
- Seafood Paella: Ronald Sánchez took the victory, while María Elena Ditrén and Kaiky Richardson completed the podium.
The winners were awarded with recognition plaques and financial compensation, thus encouraging the continuity of this culinary tradition that attracts visitors from various parts of the country, including Santo Domingo, Jarabacoa, and Nagua, as well as international tourists who enjoyed the hospitality of the “Enchanted Valley of the Caribbean”.
Despite the rain that occurred at the end of the day, the enthusiasm of the attendees remained intact, closing with a flourish an edition that reaffirms the value of traditions in the Constanza community.
