It was another amazing food day at Jimmy’s No. 43 as a half-dozen chefs braved narrow doors (yes, a one-meter diameter paella plate will fit through our entryway) and electric burners to bring rabbit, snails and amazing shrimp tails to our first ever Paella Cookoff in celebration of National Paella Day.
The squid-ink infused paella prepared by Louise Leonard and Iberian United’s Jessica Garcia-Agulló was a glory to behold, with lots of interesting entries from professional chefs that paired nicely with the Spanish beers on tap: L’Anjub 1907, Sagra Pils, and Gisberga Trigo.
In the end, there was a rare double winner (of both the judges – Anthony Sasso of Casa Mono, Sarah Jay of PaellaPans.com, and Tara DeGeorges of Spanish Suitcase – and people’s choice awards): Nick Suarez of Backyard Cooking Company in DUMBO, whose traditional paella consisted of Chicken, Chorizo, Snails and Piquillo Peppers over Bomba rice from Spain.
Proceeds benefited the NYC Coalition Against Hunger (paella is a traditional peasant dish, although you wouldn’t know that from yesterday’s entries!).
Beers from the Paella Cookoff will continue to be on the menu throughout the week, for those who’d like to come in for a taste of Spain.