Cuenca Is Cooking 9,500 Plates of Motepata to Break a Guinness World Record

If you've lived in Cuenca for any amount of time, you've probably eaten motepata. If you haven't, this Saturday is your chance to try it alongside about 9,500 other people — and watch the city attempt a Guinness World Record in the process.

What's Happening

On Saturday, February 14 at 10:00 AM, the Municipality of Cuenca is hosting the Motepata Más Grande del Mundo (World's Largest Motepata) at Plaza de San Francisco, right in the heart of El Centro.

The goal: prepare and serve 9,500 plates of the traditional dish in a single event, with a Guinness World Records verification team on-site to certify the attempt.

Wait — What Is Motepata?

For newer expats: motepata (sometimes written mote pata) is a hearty stew made with mote (large-kernel hominy corn), pork (often feet and ribs — pata means foot), and a rich broth seasoned with garlic, cumin, and other spices. It's a cold-weather comfort food that's deeply tied to Cuenca's identity and especially popular during Carnival season.

Think of it as Cuenca's version of pozole — filling, flavorful, and the kind of dish that tastes better when eaten standing up in a plaza surrounded by thousands of people.

The official recipe for this event comes from gastronomer Nidia Vásquez, author of Ashanga, Cocina Morlaca, a cookbook documenting traditional Cuencan cuisine.

The Details

• When: Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM
• Where: Plaza de San Francisco (El Centro)
• Cost: $2 per plate
• Free plates: 1,500 plates will be distributed free to vulnerable populations
• Serving: Eco-friendly 16-gram containers (no styrofoam)
• Bonus: Prize drawings including appliances for anyone who buys a plate

Most of the ingredients are being sourced directly from Cuenca's local markets, and the event supports women's savings cooperatives in rural areas.

Why They're Doing This

Vice-mayor Marisol Peñaloza confirmed the event is part of Carnival 2026's official programming. Beyond the Guinness attempt, the city wants to put Cuencan gastronomy on the international map and support the local market economy that produces the ingredients.

The municipality submitted documentation to Guinness earlier this year to initiate the certification process, and verifiers will be present on the day.

Practical Tips

• Get there early. 9,500 plates sounds like a lot, but Plaza de San Francisco will be packed. The Carnival parade starts on Bolívar street at 9:00 AM the same morning, so the area will already be busy.
• Bring cash. $2 plates at a street festival — don't expect card readers.
• This pairs with the parade. The Desfile Carnaval 4 Ríos de Cuenca kicks off at 9:00 AM on Bolívar (San Blas to San Francisco), ending right at the plaza. Watch the parade, then eat.
• Evening option: The Nicky Jam concert starts at 6:00 PM at Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar if you want to make a full day of it. Tickets from $5 (general) to $35 (box) at FARMASOL pharmacies.

Whether or not they actually break the record, it's going to be a great morning in El Centro.

Sources: El Mercurio, GAD Municipal de Cuenca