This month, Rio’s waterfront will be the stage for a delicious competition among more than 150 food kiosks in Rio de Janeiro. That’s because the 9th edition of the Sabores da Orla Awards is coming up— Brazil’s largest beachside food festival , featuring a soccer-inspired competition . We’ll tell you all about this event right here!
Food Stalls Become National Teams at the Sabores da Orla Festival
This is the ninth edition of Sabores da Orla, and this year, the festival drew inspiration from the world’s biggest soccer tournament . That’s why the theme for 2026 is “Copa de Sabores.”
There are 150 food stalls along Rio’s beaches taking on the role of real national teams, where the dishes are the star players and the crowd is the cheering fans. In addition, the competition features a group stage, knockout rounds, and a grand final to bring together cuisine, culture, and plenty of seaside fun!
The competition is divided into six mouthwatering categories!
Featuring brand-new dishes, the competition will be divided into six categories.
In the categories “King of Snacks,” “Podium Pastry,” “Master’s Sandwich,” “Dream Dessert,” and “Caipi of the Caipis by Smirnoff,” the first phase features a public vote, in which visitors taste, evaluate, and choose the best entries. In the elimination round, the technical jury from the “Diamantes na Cozinha” project, led by chef and ambassador João Diamante, selects the champions.
Meanwhile, the “Star Dish” category features a rigorous technical evaluation conducted by Le Cordon Bleu from August 5 to 7. Here, sustainability takes center stage as a mandatory requirement.
As a result, competitors must use at least one ingredient from a small producer in the state of Rio de Janeiro, thereby strengthening the local economy and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
News, awards, and an interactive map for “fans”
The Sabores da Orla festival also features several new additions in this edition. In addition to the brand-new format, the prizes are a real home run! The big winners will receive courses at Le Cordon Bleu and cash prizes of up to R$ 25,000 for first place in the Prato Estrela category.
In addition, there’s the “Best Attack” award, focused on sales volume within each category, crowning the kiosk that “scores the most goals” in selling its dishes. The champions will be announced on October 8.
To make life easier for “fans,” the official website offers everything in a digital format, including an interactive map and voting via QR code. Be sure to use the “Build Your Route” feature to create personalized itineraries by beach or category and share them with your friends.
The 9th edition of the Sabores da Orla Awards takes place from August 1 to 31 at more than 150 food stands throughout Rio de Janeiro. For more information, check out the event’s website and official social media channels.
