Chef Arturo Roig, from the restaurant ‘A Roig Viu’ (Albaida), has won the Rice Grower of the Future Award. The Dansa de Porrots de Silla and the DJ set by the duo ‘Jajajers’ were two of the successes of the edition. Tastarròs 2025 has concluded its edition with a flourish. Around 40,000 people didn’t want to miss the two-day weekend dedicated to rice, where the participating restaurants, music, and tradition took centre stage. The event, organized by the Valencia Rice Designation of Origin (D.O. Arroz de València), in collaboration with the Valencian Regional Government and Valencia City Council, featured tastings, workshops, exhibitions, competitions, and several concerts.
“We want to highlight this year’s high level, both in terms of gastronomy and the rest of the programme,” said Santos Ruiz, manager of the Valencia Rice Designation of Origin (D.O. Arroz de València), who added that the participating professionals were essential in achieving the objectives. Over the course of both days, dozens of restaurants and chefs offered the public thousands of tastings of traditional and innovative rice dishes at affordable prices, which could be paired with Estrella Galicia beer, the event’s sponsor.
Rice as the Star
Tastarròs 2025 once again paid tribute to rice as a symbol of Valencian cultural identity, combining tradition and innovation in a comprehensive programme that ran from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon.
Over the weekend, attendees enjoyed a wide variety of activities: workshops for all audiences such as “Make Your Own Rice,” exhibitions such as “Peixca a l’Albufera” (Fish in the Albufera) and a display of traditional fishermen’s boats from the Port of Catarroja; showcooking events such as “Maestros del Arroz” (Rice Masters) and “Tastarròs t’ensenya”, as well as exhibitions on rice production; competitions such as the Llaurador Més Ràpid de l’Albufera (Rapid Rice Maker), parades with giants and big-headed figures, and concerts by artists such as Christian Penalba, Diego Barberá, and Xavi de Bétera.
Three of the highlights of the festival were the Dansa de Porrots de Silla (Silla Porrot Dance), held on Saturday, which amazed attendees with its unique war dance, its Greco-Roman aesthetic, and its power and symbolism. The dance was performed in the centre of the square and simulated a battle between two opposing sides. Furthermore, musically—and humorously—this latest edition featured the famous Valencian comedy duo Jajajers, who were responsible for bringing the Tastarròs to a close with their Jajajers DJ Xou, a musical show where humour, music, and identity took centre stage.
Of course, gastronomy and rice recipes were at the centre of everything. Not only through the tastings from the more than 40 restaurants that passed through the Plaza del Ayuntamiento over the two days, including El Poblet, Llisa Negra, Restaurante Rioja, La Sequieta, Restaurante Félix Chaqués, La Cantina de Ruzafa, and Front, among others; but also through the Rice of the Future Competition held this Sunday, which was won by chef Arturo Roig, from the restaurant A Roig Viu (Albaida), for his Aroigviu rice with rabbit, snail, game, vegetables, and seasonal mushrooms. “I’m very excited and proud to hold this title as a Valencian,” expressed the winner.
The two runners-up were Álvaro Portolés (Tu arrocero) and Amparo Nácher (Xaruga). The competition was rounded out by young culinary talents such as Sinisa Melarosa (Félix Chaqués Restaurant), Borja Mateu (Casa Borja), Albert Iniesta (Finca El Marchante), and Aitor Martínez (Can Ros).
Once again, Tastarròs demonstrates the importance of celebrating the cultural and gastronomic identity of Valencia and its surrounding areas. With this immersive experience, open to both adults and children, one of the region’s most representative ingredients is once again highlighted: rice.
Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team
Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’
@arrozdevalenciado
Photo: Awards ceremony for the Rice Grower of the Future Competition. From left to right: Paula Llobet (Councillor for Tourism), José Vicente Gosálbez (Councillor for Agriculture), Álvaro Portolés (Tu arrocero), Arturo Roig (A Roig Viu), Amparo Nácher (Xaruga), Mª Àngels Ramón-Llin (General Director of Agricultural and Livestock Production), and Ricardo Císcar (President of the Regulatory Council of the Valencia Rice Designation of Origin).
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