Colombian Food Festival in Miami Wraps with 50,000 Visitors and a Bandeja Paisa Crown
The two-day celebration of Colombian cuisine drew massive crowds to Miami, with La Casa de la Sopa taking home the top prize for its bandeja paisa.
The annual Colombian Food Festival in Miami closed its doors on June 29 after drawing more than 50,000 visitors over two days. The event, held June 28 and 29, featured cooking demonstrations, live music, and a showcase of Colombian coffee and spices being introduced to U.S. markets.
The headline moment came when La Casa de la Sopa took the Best Dish award for its bandeja paisa, the hearty Antioquian plate that needs no introduction to anyone who grew up eating it on a Sunday. The win drew loud applause from a crowd that clearly knew what a proper bandeja should look like.
The festival has grown into one of the most visible celebrations of Colombian culture in South Florida, and this year's edition benefited from the extra energy surrounding Colombia's strong showing at the World Cup. Organizers said the combination of national pride and warm weather made for an electric atmosphere throughout the weekend.
For Colombian Americans in Miami and beyond, events like this serve as a reminder that the food, the music, and the community are very much alive and thriving far from home.
Reportado por El Paisa, nuestro corresponsal colombiano.
