Northwest Paella Fest

Paella Fest 2014

A Benefit for Food for Lane County 
Saturday, August 2nd, in beautiful green Eugene

On Saturday August 2nd, paella lovers—both makers and eaters—will get together on the beautiful wooded hilltop at Mo and Eric’s to revel in the tastes and exotic aromas from paella pans bubbling with that magical rice dish from Spain. With just a week to go, the Ninth Annual Paella Fest is shaping up to be a very special day. We have received support from Deschutes Brewery, Ninkasi Brewing, Claim 52 Brewing, Newman's Fish Co. and The Spanish Table. The generosity of these businesses, combined with the skills of nearly 30 paella makers has us poised for success in our goal of providing support to Food for Lane County. 

Suggested Donation: $25
In an effort to tap into the Paella Passion for a greater good, Paella Fest has been from its inception a fundraiser for Food for Lane County. Over the years we have raised over $21,000 to help feed those not as fortunate as ourselves. Paellaeras are donating their time and providing the best ingredients, so we hope that the rest of you will give generously from your pocket books. Please look for the collection jar near the entrance.

It looks as if this year will continue the trend of being bigger and better than the previous year as there have already been inquiries from paella makers—both seasoned pros and wannabes—about this years festival. Below you will find all of the information you need including: logistics of what is provided and what you will need to bring, how many people to invite, time guidelines and driving directions.

If you have any questions, or want to secure a spot on the paella line, contact Don. There will be periodic email updates of who’s in and who’s out. If you want to be on or off that list please let us know.

The Concept

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 invites 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 and dashing good looks, along with a passion for life and of course, a love of paella.

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.

ItemsGuests Should Bring

• Beverages other than beer (and ice if needed)
• Chair
• Generous donation for Food for Lane County (suggested $25 per person)

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.

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. In a mile or so there will be a Dukhobar Road sign on the right. DON’T TURN HERE! Continue straight for about half a mile until you see a Dukhobar Road sign on your left. Turn left here. Continue to the end of the pavement. (Click on the map below to enlarge)

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.

Talk to Us

If you have any comments or just want to wax poetic about paella, click on the link below.