Burgas, June 23, 2025 – Chef Kaloyan Kolev, head instructor at Culinary Arts Institute part of Varna University of Management, has won the national qualification for the World Paella Day Cup and will represent Bulgaria at the grand final this autumn in Valencia, Spain.

The qualification round took place as part of SOLE – a festival of Spanish culture and cuisine, held in Burgas from June 20 to 22, 2025. The final stage of the competition featured eight chefs – seven men and one woman. An international jury with representatives from Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Bulgaria unanimously selected Chef Kolev as a worthy ambassador of Bulgarian gastronomy on the global stage.

With over 19 years of experience in professional kitchens and more than 7 years in culinary education, Chef Kaloyan Kolev is a well-established name in the industry. He has worked on three continents, participated in numerous international competitions, and has received dozens of awards. In addition, he is the founder and organizer of Gourmet Fest Varna – the largest international culinary forum in Bulgaria, dedicated to the development of the culinary industry and education in the sector.

In March 2025, Chef Kolev published his first culinary book – “A Book from the Kitchen for the Kitchen”, which has attracted interest among professionals and food enthusiasts alike.

He is now preparing for the final of the World Paella Day Cup in Valencia – the birthplace of paella – where he will compete with the best chefs from around the world.