What's happening? The Academia Puertorriqueña de Gastronomía (APUGA) has opened applications for the second edition of the Premios Nacionales de Gastronomía. You can apply through Monday, Sept. 21, at 11:59 p.m., using the form at apugapr.org.
Why does it matter? The Premios Nacionales de Gastronomía were created in 2025 to recognize an ecosystem that goes well beyond the kitchen. They cover agricultural production, education, hospitality, sustainability and mixology, sectors that drive Puerto Rico's economy and culture every day.
The first edition showed that local recognition can have international reach. Chef Iván Clemente won the Gastronomía Solidaria category in Puerto Rico and then took the Ibero-American title in that same category, competing against the 17 academies that make up the Academia Iberoamericana de Gastronomía.
For people working in restaurants, farms, bars, educational projects or community food initiatives, this call for applications is a real path to visibility, both on the Island and beyond.
The categories. This edition will have 13 categories, including:
Gastronomía saludable
Gastronomía solidaria
Gastronomía sostenible
Gastronomía satisfactoria
Coctelería
Innovación
Fusión
Talento emergente
Producción agroculinaria
Preservación del patrimonio
Educación y mentoría
Proyección global
Gastronomía sociable: this is the new category, aimed at initiatives that bring people together through food.
"We want these awards to reflect the gastronomy we aspire to keep building in Puerto Rico. Recognizing those who are already leading the way lets us highlight good practices and show the world how our gastronomy is evolving," says APUGA executive director Madelaine Vázquez.
New partnerships. Puerto Rico Cocktail Week presents the mixology category with global reach, and the Programa de Gestión Cultural of the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras, is collaborating on the Preservación del Patrimonio Culinario category.
Winners from the first edition included Mario Pagán (Galardón Global), Giovanna Huyke (Educación y Mentoría), Carlos Portela (Gastronomía Satisfactoria), Crystal Díaz (Gastronomía Sostenible), Verde Mesa (Gastronomía Saludable) and El Burén de Lula (Preservación del Patrimonio Culinario).
The awards ceremony will be held in November 2026.
Want to apply? Those interested in applying can review the categories, criteria and required documents, and complete the form at apugapr.org or through APUGA's social media channels.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
