May 21, 2015
Paella chefs from across the globe will gather at San Diego's Embarcadero Marina South to compete for the title of "Best Paella in the Cali-Baja Region" at the inaugural International Paella & Wine Festival on Saturday, May 30. There will also be samples from wineries hailing from Baja California to Napa, as well as beers from San Diego and Baja craft brewers. With San Diego's breathtaking waterfront as a backdrop, this first-of-its-kind festival will feature live music, entertainment and plenty of culture. We are giving away 2 GA tickets to the event, so read on and enter for a chance to win.
Paella is a Spanish, saffron-infused rice dish that marries bold flavors and delightful textures, usually containing a variety of meats including chicken, shrimp and shellfish. Paella was originally a peasant's meal cooked over an open fire in the fields and eaten directly from the pan using wooden spoons. The dish takes its name from the wide shallow pan that it is cooked in, traditionally called the paella or paellera. The recipe commonly known as paella can more accurately be referred to as Arroz a la Paella.
Nearly 50 culinary teams, including local restaurants Ironside Fish & Oyster, Bernini's Bistro, San Diego Paella and The Wild Thyme Company, will compete for awards and recognitions, including "Best Paella in the Cali-Baja Region", "Next Best Paella in the Cali-Baja Region","Best Looking Paella" and"People's Choice". San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, celebrity chefs Brian Malarkey and Javier Plascencia, Consul General of Spain Javier Vallure, Founder & General Manager of Batalla Culinaria Maribel Moreno, Consul General of Mexico Remedios Gómez Arnau and more will be on hand to judge the best of the paella. The “People’s Choice” honoree will be determined by attendees. There will also be live music, flamenco dancing, cooking demonstrations, tented and lawn seating.
Tickets to the International Paella & Wine Festival are reserved for those over 21 years of age and cost $20 for designated drivers, $50 for general admission and $175 for VIP. For more information and to purchase passes, visit sdpaellafest.com.
