International Goulash Competition and Tradition Preserving Festival, Szolnok

The Szolnok International Goulash Competition aims to present and preserve the traditions of the most characteristic Hungarian dish, goulash, which originates from the Great Plains. It has been organised annually in the first half of September since 1999.

The event has become increasingly popular over time and each year tasty food bubbles away in several hundred kettles for the tens of thousands of visitors who are curious about the taste of this speciality, goulash, of course. But there are obviously as many types as there are chefs - and they prepare beef, mutton and bean goulash. By 2003 the attendance of competitors and festival goers had reached such numbers that the actual cooking contest is no longer held as part of the festival. However, the title of Honorary Citizen of the Goulash Festival is still awarded there.

Cooking teams and performers arrive to this famous contest not only from within the Hungarian-populated areas of the Carpathian Basin, but also from other countries of the European Union. The varied side events of the festival include product presentations and tastings, stage performances, folk musicians and dancers, and a handicraft fair.