Festivals for hamburgers, pizza, tortillas, croquettes, cheesecake, and even torreznos. Food festivals have become one of the most common events on Valencia’s calendar, but in the birthplace of paella, there was still no festival dedicated to its most iconic dishes: rice dishes.
From November 13 to 15, Fartarròs— Spain’s first (and likely the world’s first) festival of creative rice dishes —is coming to town . A gathering place for rice dish lovers—but not fans of the traditional kind: Valencian paella is off-limits at this event.
An event dedicated to fans of “rice with all sorts of things, ” where some of the wildest recipes developed by local chefs will be put to the test. The chosen location is Benjamín March Civera Park in La Pobla de Vallbona, a space open to the public with free admission, where around 10 restaurants specializing in rice dishes will set up shop to cook their creations live.
The organizers haven’t yet revealed which rice restaurants and chefs will be participating, but they assure us that “true culinary geniuses” have already signed up and that the lineup “will surprise the public.” In addition, for those who aren’t fans of rice for dinner, there will be food trucks serving burgers and pizza (though only in the evening) and a section with cheesecakes for dessert. Gluten-free options will also be available so that everyone can enjoy this culinary celebration.
More than 600 seats will be set up, there will be live DJ sets, and attractions to keep the kids entertained as well . Although the main attraction will be the live cooking demonstrations by the participants themselves, who will prepare their rice dishes in front of the audience (so bring a pen and paper to jot down the best recipes).
The festival is designed to celebrate originality, but not as a competition. There will be no voting or winners—just chefs putting their best creations to the test and diners enjoying them.
