San Antonio, TX – The sizzle of saffron and the aroma of simmering seafood will once again fill the air as the 15th Annual Paella Challenge returns to San Antonio this Sunday, March 23, hosted by beloved San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez.
This year’s event marks a special milestone: The Quinceañera of the Paella Challenge — a celebration not only of 15 fine years of tradition and culinary excellence but of giving back to the vibrant San Antonio community and investing in its youth. It's also a celebration of San Antonio's honor as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy that's home to a world-class Culinary Institute of America campus.
Since its inception, the Paella Challenge has been a cornerstone of San Antonio’s food scene, drawing talented chefs from across the globe to compete in crafting the perfect paella and hosting a high school paella challenge competition. But beyond the festive atmosphere and delectable dishes lies a deeper mission — supporting Kitchen Campus, a non-profit organization founded in 2014 by Chef Johnny Hernandez dedicated to connecting today’s youth to culinary opportunities through education and advocacy, empowering them to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
“As we celebrate our 15th year with this festive, fun Quinceañera-themed day, we reflect on the incredible impact the Paella Challenge has had,” says Chef Johnny Hernandez. “This is about more than food; it’s about creating opportunities for young people to explore their passions and discover pathways into the culinary industry. Our Kitchen Campus students are the heart of this celebration.”
Kitchen Campus serves as an out-of-school program that provides high school students with opportunities to learn about food, nutrition, and cooking while exploring careers in the culinary industry. Many of these students would not otherwise have access to the resources, mentors, or funding necessary to pursue a culinary career. Funds raised from the Paella Challenge directly ensure that local students have the tools they need to thrive. Program graduates are prepared not just with basic cooking skills and nutrition education but with the knowledge, leadership experience, and industry exposure needed to succeed and make a positive impact on their community. High school team winners of the Paella Challenge will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Culinary Institute of America’s Hyde Park campus in New York, where they can see what culinary school is like and where many of the nation’s greatest chefs began their culinary education.
Chef Johnny, an CIA alumus, is thrilled to have contributed to the coming of the CIA to his hometown of San Antonio — opening at Pearl in 2008 as one of only three CIA campuses in the USA. Chefs and instructors from the CIA along with food writers and culinary-themed social media influencers serve as cooks, judges and consultants each year in San Antonio's dynamic Paella Challenge.
"The Paella Challenge is another way to celebrate the CIA's planting its flag here in our city, bringing culiary excellence to our community," says Chef Johnny. San Antonio's branch campus gave the college a platform to offer special expertise in Latin American cuisines and solidified San Antonio's reputation as a dynamic culinary destination which would earn its proud designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
This year, the Paella Challenge invites guests to indulge in authentic Spanish flavors while witnessing top-tier chefs and high school student coos craft their signature paellas in a lively, competitive environment. Attendees can savor each creation and enjoy live entertainment and family-friendly activities, all while supporting an incredible cause.
Chef Hernandez and Kitchen Campus invite the San Antonio community to join the celebration: "Come embrace the spirit of giving, and help empower the next generation of culinary leaders. Together, we can make this quinceañera a memorable tribute to community, culture, and compassion."
And like all traditional festive quinceañeras, there will be mariachi music, food, fun, cake, and other 15th-year traditions. Even the trophies for this year's winners have been made in the shape of quinceañera gowns by Garcia Art Glass.
For tickets and more information to Sunday's big Paella Challenge Quinceañera at Mission County Park, visit Eventbrite: 15th Annual Paella Challenge Tickets, Sun, Mar 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
OR click here: Paella Challenge | Paella Challenge San Antonio
About Kitchen Campus: Founded in 2014 by Chef Johnny Hernandez, Kitchen Campus is a San Antonio-based non-profit organization dedicated to connecting youth with culinary opportunities through education and advocacy. Kitchen Campus envisions a future where students achieve financial success through the culinary arts, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mentorship needed to thrive in the food industry.
Paella Challenge | Paella Challenge San Antonio
#PaellaChallenge, #HighSchoolPaellaChallenge, #PaellaCookOff, #PaellaBattle, #SaffronShowdown, #RiceAndShine
Sponsors include (but are not limited to) Noble Texas Builders, H-E-B, Groomer's Seafood, Sysco, Frost Bank, Silver Eagle Beverages, The NRP Group, Chef Johnny Hernandez, City of San Antonio World Heritage, Dalkia EDF Group, Pepsi, True Flavors Catering, Star Knife Sharpening, Aurelia's Chorizo, Rebeca Clay-Flores, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply, San Antonio City of Gastronomy, and more.
Media Contact: jturk@lagloria.com