“We were here at seven in the morning”, say Marco and Diego. It is just after nine a.m., and they have already secured one of the coveted spots to take part in the 13th edition of the World Slaughter Rice Competition of Matances de Sant Antoni. They arrived at dawn and, even so, they were not the first in line, they say as they try to warm up with churros and hot chocolate. This year, the organisers of Ibiza’s most popular culinary event decided to welcome early risers with breakfast as a reward for those willing to queue up in the cold to secure one of the much sought-after cooking places for the competition, which will be held on February 7.
The queue stretches along much of Carrer Ample. Dozens of people wait patiently, hopeful. It would not be the first time that all places have been filled. In fact, every year more slots are added, reflecting the island’s growing enthusiasm for this traditional dish.
“We’ve been taking part for three years and we prefer to come early and be done with it, rather than arrive later and still be waiting here until midnight,” say Diego and Marco. Together with other friends, they make up the team Los del guateque. They say they keep coming back because the competition is a “really fun and different” day, combining music, cooking and friendship. “There’s a great atmosphere — it’s one of the island’s winter highlights,” they explain.
Diego also highlights the sense of “togetherness” experienced on the day among local residents. “In Mallorca they have a lot of village events like this, and here that’s something we’re a bit short of,” he adds.
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