While the home of paella was well represented at Josef Chromy, with two teams of Spanish competitors, it was Adelaide Paella who took home the top prize. 

The Adelaide-based paella catering company beat out eight other teams to win the prize.

They will travel to Valencia to contest the final stage of the competition as the entrants from the Pacific. 

Teams were required to cook Valencian paella, consisting of chicken, rabbit, tomatoes, green beans, saffron, garlic and bomba rice. 

Co-owner of third-placed Arte Paella Beatriz Lorente said the process is a delicate operation.

“The most important part is the last 10 minutes – it’s crucial,” she said. “You don’t want to run out of stock and everything depends on the weather as well.” 

The duo behind second-placed Paella Mate both come from Valencia – the traditional home of paella.

Jorge Belenguer and Ignacio Hernandez live in Melbourne now, however they have not forgotten their Valencian roots.

“I have been cooking paella since I was 17 years old and I have been preparing paella’s with my grandfather since I can remember,” Mr Belenguer said. “I have been born and surrounded by paella my whole life.”