Northwest Paella Fest

5th Annual Paella Fest

Saturday, July 31st 2010
In beautiful, green Eugene

The date is set for our 5th annual soirée under the trees to celebrate PAELLA! For the past four years we have gathered together for camaraderie and music and to share our enjoyment and creativity in preparing and eating that extraordinary rice dish of Spain... all while raising money for a worthy cause.

Now it’s time to do it again! Mark your calendars and get your creative juices flowing, as this milestone year promises to be the biggest and most festive yet. See you there!

A Benefit for Food for Lane County
In an effort to tap into the Paella Passion for a greater good — and to hit up all of our friends who are coming for the free lunch — there will be a collection jar for donations for Food for Lane County. Paellaeras are donating their time and food, it is hoped that the rest of us will give generously (a suggested $20.00 each) from our pocket books.

The Clash of the Pi Pans
Picture yourself standing over a bubbling paella, taking in the exotic aromas, sipping a glass of wine and anticipating the incredible feast that awaits. Now picture this times twenty... twenty pi pans all competing for your taste buds. This is the 5th Annual Northwest Paella Fest, where paella makers — from old pros to eager wannabes — come together to share their passion for paella.

The Vision
Each person, or team, who chooses to be a paella maker (paellaera?) brings everything they need to prepare their favorite rice dish of Spain, out into the wide open spaces of nature. In addition each paellaera brings enough friends to eat the equivalent of their paella. The result should be a critical mass of fun and celebration with everyone sharing tasty bites of their creations. This invitation is open to all paellaeras who possess creativity, poise, dashing good looks and a love of paella — not to mention a passion for life and the ability to have a good time.

To sign up, see below.

The Location
Eric and Mo have graciously provided their lovely wooded hilltop property, located just 20 minutes from downtown Eugene (and to be known for posterity as “The Dukhobar Road Paella Proving Grounds”) at 86840 Dukhobar Road, Eugene, OR 97403.

For directions, see below.

The Timing
Arrival: Paellaeras may arrive and set up any time after 3:00 PM.
Cooking: You are the expert for your recipe. Begin when the time seems right.
Eating: Try to have your paella complete and ready to eat sometime between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.

Items Provided

• Tables (each table can accommodate 2 to 3 paellaeras)
• Water (although you may want to bring a receptacle to have water at your table)
• Cups for beverages (feel free to bring your own special goblet)
• Small plates and spoons for acquiring taste bud orgasms. (Eating out of the pan is the tradition for paella, however to minimize the risk of soccorat theft, we are resorting to plates.)

Bathrooms are provided.

Items Paelleras Should Bring

• All ingredients
• Paella Pan
• Burner and gas, or receptacle and fuel for charcoal or wood heat (Smokey says, “no ground fires”)
• Utensils
• Dish towels and pot holders
• Beverages other than beer (and ice if needed)
• Chair
• Containers for taking home leftovers (yeah, right!)
• Fire extinguisher or bucket (we want to keep the lovely wooded hilltop wooded!)

You may want to label items as things tend to migrate around in the feeding frenzy.

Items Guests Should Bring

• Beverages other than beer (and ice if needed)
• Chair
• Generous donation for Food for Lane County

Directions
Go out West 11th to Greenhill Road. Turn left on Greenhill. As you proceed, the name of the road mysteriously changes to Crow Road (paella magic?). In a mile or two there will be a Dukhobar Road sign on the right. DON’T TURN HERE! Continue straight for half a mile or so until you see a Dukhobar Road sign on your left. Turn left here. Continue to the end of the pavement.

The driveway is steep, so to drop off people or supplies, drive all the way up to the house, staying right at the Y, and then return to the parking areas. Parking is at the bottom of the hill on the side of the paved road, or up the drive staying left at the Y.

Camping
Don’t feel like driving home after an evening of delicious paella, music, and good times? There is plenty of room to pitch a tent or sleep out under the stars and towering trees.

Sign Up
Paellaeras, reserve your spot at the table by signing up now! Email Don and let him know the type of paella (seafood, vegetarian, gastropod, etc.) you plan to create and, if possible, how many guests you intend to invite. ... or if you just want to wax poetic about paella in general, click on the link below.