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South Caribbean Wins First Place in the Lent Gastronomic and Traditions Festival 2026
Arelis Clark Chávez, representative of the South Caribbean Autonomous Region, was crowned winner of the XVII edition of the Lent Gastronomy and Traditions Festival
TL;DR
- Arelis Clark Chávez from the South Caribbean Autonomous Region won the 17th Lent Gastronomy and Traditions Festival.
- Her winning dish was smoked and shredded fish, praised for its taste, color, texture, decoration, and presentation.
- Brayan Augusto Leal Martínez (Chontales) took second place with a shrimp-stuffed fish cake, and Maritza Ruíz Díaz (Río San Juan) was third with a dried gaspar in watery rice.
- The top three winners received cash prizes of 30,000, 20,000, and 10,000 córdobas.
- The festival featured 19 dishes from representatives of all 15 departments and two autonomous regions.
- The event in San Carlos attracted about 5,000 people and included a gastronomic and artisan fair, stage entertainment, and dance performances.
- Musical groups Anthony Matthews and Vía Libre closed the event.