Record participation in the third edition of the charity competition "FEM Paelles a La Rambla"

"Autumn Paella" prepared by two chefs from CETT Barcelona has won the first prize of this gastronomic and solidarity event

With nearly 40 participating teams, the contest, organized by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and Friends of La Rambla, aims to raise funds for research and improving the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis

The event has been a combination of gastronomy, music, and solidarity, with a jury composed of Sergio Torres and Meritxell Falgueres, and a fun musical bingo

Once again, La Rambla has been filled with aromas, solidarity, and a good atmosphere on the occasion of the third edition of the contest "Making Paellas on La Rambla". "Autumn Paella" has won the first prize, prepared by two chefs from CETT Barcelona with a combination of seasonal ingredients such as mushrooms.

The contest, organized by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the association Friends of La Rambla, has been sponsored by Oleaurum, Repsol, the gastronomic sponsor Gallina Blanca, and supported by the Barcelona City Council, the Ciutat Vella District, and the Government of Catalonia.

This initiative, now in its third edition, has achieved a record participation with over 40 registered teams, thanks to citizen collaboration and the enthusiasm of the participants. In total, 15,000 euros have been raised, which will be entirely allocated to research projects and neurorehabilitation services promoted by the Foundation.

The judges in charge of choosing the best paellas were the renowned chef Sergio Torres; the journalist and sommelier, Meritxell Falgueres; and representatives of the theater company La Cubana, who have tasted and evaluated the different culinary proposals. The event was hosted by Mari Pau Huguet and included moments of fun with the musical bingo by the actress Mònica Pérez, who got participants and the audience dancing and laughing.

In addition to the winning paella, the jury highlighted in second place the paella "From the Forest to the Table" with mushrooms, rabbit, and chicken; and the third place went to "Seafood Rice" with cuttlefish, squid, and octopus. The Audience Award went to the "Seasonal Paella" with mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and romesco sauce, and the award for the most "Rambla-style" paella was given to "Manel's Paella" with sausage, ribs, mushrooms, and artichokes.

The winners received various prizes offered by entities and establishments in La Rambla such as tickets to shows at Teatre Poliorama, Teatre Condal, Museu de Cera de Barcelona, Tablao Flamenco Cordobés, and El Duende, as well as meals and gastronomic experiences courtesy of Wow Experience, El Bosc de les Fades, Restaurant Moka, and Vapiano. "Making Paellas on La Rambla" also had the participation of other collaborators such as Interparking, the Ciutat Vella District, Carrefour Market, and the Boqueria Market. Betevé was the official media partner.

Among the attendees were also people diagnosed with MS who wanted to join the party and share their experience. Like Claudia, who "I was recently diagnosed, and with my father, we decided to participate with a traditional Valencian paella and contribute to this charitable cause," she explained.

"It is very gratifying to see how the people of Barcelona have responded enthusiastically and we have reached this third edition with a record number of participants in such a charitable activity. Each cooked paella has contributed to continue researching and supporting the 12,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in Catalonia," explained Rosa Masriera, Executive Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

On the other hand, Àlex Balletbò, president of Friends of La Rambla, pointed out that "this contest has become an essential event during the Roser Festival, combining gastronomic tradition with solidarity and the neighborhood spirit that has always defined La Rambla."

In this sense, it is worth mentioning the broad participation of teams made up of residents, entities, and establishments in the neighborhood, and especially the involvement of members of our association.

To all the participants and to all those who have accompanied us in this gastronomic and solidarity party... Thank you very much!!!