Chilean culinary contests crown best empanadas in Viña del Mar and Santiago

Chilean culinary competitions are highlighting regional gastronomic traditions through empanada contests in Viña del Mar and Santiago.

In Viña del Mar, the municipal Tourism Directorate launched the ‘Best Empanada 2026’ contest to support local bakeries and restaurants. The competition featured three categories: traditional pino, vegetarian, and innovative/author empanadas. ‘Dulce Recreo’ secured first place in the traditional pino category, while ‘Cocina de Luciana’ won the vegetarian category. ‘Dachs Coffee’ took the top prize for the innovative category.

In the Santiago metropolitan region, the Círculo de Cronistas Gastronómicos y del Vino de Chile conducted its 23rd edition of the Best Pino Empanada contest. A panel of chefs and gastronomic chroniclers performed a blind tasting of over 70 anonymous empanadas sourced from various bakeries and pastry shops across different communes to determine the city's top selections.