Valencian Paella: A Legend Reinterpreted Around The World

Great songs have cover versions. Classic films are reinterpreted time and again. And dishes that achieve legendary status cross borders, inspire and evolve. This is the idea behind the new World Paella Day 2026 campaign: “When something becomes a legend, it is reinterpreted around the world”.

The campaign, led by the Visit Valencia Foundation with the support of València City Council, Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and the València Provincial Council, puts Valencian paella at the heart of the story as an international icon of the region’s gastronomy. Born in Valencia, it has travelled the world and inspired countless interpretations across five continents.

The new video begins where it all started. Toni Montoliu, a leading ambassador for paella culture and Valencian cuisine, represents the dish’s connection to L’Horta and the Albufera, two places central to Valencia’s culinary identity and its reputation as the Mediterranean Pantry.

From there, paella begins its journey around the world. Chefs from Asia, Europe and the Americas take the baton, creating their own interpretations and showing how a recipe so deeply rooted in its place of origin has become a global culinary icon. Just like an unforgettable song or a classic film, only something truly legendary inspires versions around the world.

The creative concept taps into a key part of paella’s international success: while there are countless interpretations beyond Valencia, they all lead back to the same origin. World Paella Day celebrates this diversity while championing the knowledge, culture and ingredients behind Valencia’s most internationally recognised dish.

Valencia Welcomes The World’s Best Paella Chefs

From 17 September, the 12 World Paella Day Cup 2026 finalists will arrive in Valencia for an immersive introduction to the region’s paella culture ahead of the Grand Final. They’ll discover the ingredients, traditions and techniques behind the iconic dish through masterclasses with experts including D.O. Arroz de València’s Santos Ruiz, inaugural World Paella Day Cup champion Chabe Soler and master paella chef Rafa Margós.

This year also marks a first for the UK, with British chef Daniel Taylor becoming the first-ever UK finalist. Daniel joins the competition as the inaugural recipient of its new Wild Card, alongside 11 chefs who qualified through international rounds across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

The Grand Final - 20 September

On Sunday 20 September, all 12 chefs will compete at La Marina de València to be crowned World Paella Day Cup Champion 2026. The public event will bring together paella, Valencian products, music and entertainment, with the competition also streamed live at worldpaelladay.org.

The finalists will be officially presented at the València Conference Centre on 18 September, before taking to the pans two days later – each bringing their own interpretation of València’s most famous dish.