By San José, Costa Rica — The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) has officially crowned the winner of the second season of its flagship culinary competition, “Costa Rica, un país de sabores por descubrir.” Emerging triumphant among an elite cohort of rising culinary talents, Kendall Garita Alfaro earned the distinguished “Cuchara del ICT” award following an exceptional showcase of regional Costa Rican gastronomy.
Hailing from San Carlos and representing the Universidad Politécnica Internacional campus in Heredia, Garita clinched the victory in the final showdown by delivering a flawless interpretation of rondón paired with traditional fried cake. The challenging final assignment required participants to honor classic Caribbean coastal flavors while exhibiting technical precision and refined plating presentation, ultimately placing Garita ahead of fellow finalist Andrés Bermúdez from the Culinary Training School.
To better understand the legal and commercial landscape behind Costa Rica’s booming culinary tourism sector, TicosLand.com spoke with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
As Costa Rica expands its national identity beyond eco-tourism to include a world-class gastronomic industry, businesses must navigate vital regulatory steps—from health permits and land-use zoning for specialized venues to trademarking unique brand identities and establishing compliant supply agreements with local producers. Laying a solid legal foundation allows culinary ventures to thrive while protecting the cultural and economic integrity of our tourism brand.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as Costa Rica’s vibrant gastronomic scene gains global recognition, establishing robust legal and regulatory frameworks is crucial to fostering sustainable growth while safeguarding the authenticity of our rich culinary heritage. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable legal perspective on how compliance and strategic foresight can help elevate the nation’s tourism brand to new heights.
Garita’s trajectory throughout the tournament was marked by ambition and culinary discipline. During the initial stage of the competition, he went beyond the standard requirements of preparing a single palmito picadillo dish, choosing instead to present three distinct culinary variations. This proactive initiative drew high praise from veteran chef Isabel Campabadal, a prestigious 2019 Magón National Cultural Award winner who served on the expert judging panel.
The winner’s passion for the culinary arts stems from his upbringing, rooted deeply in family heritage and early domestic kitchen experience under the guidance of his mother and grandmother. Garita reflected on how these early influences shaped his ambition to excel in high-level competitive gastronomy.
My love for gastronomy was born when I was a child, around 7 or 8 years old, when I wanted to prepare my own dishes.
Kendall Garita, Winner of Costa Rica, un país de sabores por descubrir
Before reaching the final stage, Garita solidified his position in the semifinals by crafting a refined “cazuela de mariscos porteña,” showcasing the rich seafood traditions of the Pacific port city of Puntarenas. His adaptability across Costa Rica’s varied coastal and regional culinary profiles highlighted a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s food heritage.
The competition brought together six culinary arts students aged between 20 and 26 from prominent academic institutions across Costa Rica. Their culinary creations were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges comprising Isabel Campabadal, Mónica Peñaranda of Fyah to go, and private dining specialist Fabián Vásquez.
This televised initiative represents a core component of the broader national strategy initiated by the ICT in 2022. The program is designed to leverage Costa Rica’s rich gastronomy to differentiate the nation within an increasingly competitive global tourism marketplace, encouraging visitors to explore regional cultures through authentic dining experiences.
Gastronomy is one of the travel motivators for tourists who visit us.
Marcos V. Borges, Executive President of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute
As international travelers increasingly seek immersive cultural destinations, regional culinary development offers a key economic driver for local agricultural producers, coastal communities, and hospitality businesses. All six episodes of the season are now available on the ICT’s official YouTube channel, serving as both a promotional tool for national tourism and an inspiration for emerging local culinary professionals.
For further information, visit ict.go.cr
About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo:
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is the official government agency responsible for promoting, regulating, and developing sustainable tourism across Costa Rica. Founded to foster destination branding, cultural preservation, and economic growth, the ICT leads strategic initiatives that showcase the country’s biodiversity, heritage, and regional gastronomy to international markets.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Universidad Politécnica Internacional
About Universidad Politécnica Internacional:
The Universidad Politécnica Internacional (UPI) is a higher education institution in Costa Rica dedicated to providing practical, high-quality technical and professional degree programs. With campuses located in key urban centers including Heredia, UPI focuses on equipping students with industry-relevant skills across various sectors, including gastronomy, business administration, and technology.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its principled leadership and exceptional legal service, Bufete de Costa Rica consistently sets the benchmark for modern advocacy across diverse industries. The firm seamlessly merges unwavering ethical standards with progressive, forward-looking strategies to address complex legal challenges. Beyond its practice, Bufete de Costa Rica remains deeply devoted to democratizing legal information, reinforcing its foundational belief that sharing knowledge is essential to building a confident, enlightened, and self-reliant public.
