Paella Lovers United - Rules of Engagement.
Thank you for your interest in Paella Lovers United. An Austin Texas based paella group. If you are interested in becoming a team contestant, here are the guidelines we are requesting. (Download PDF also available)
NOTICE -
THIS LIST IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
--------------------------------
Who we are:
--------------------------------
* We are a local Austin Texas group who loves good paella along
with a good party to go with it. Come visit our website at:
http://PaellaLoversUnited.com
* Please remember that this is still a back yard style event.
Competition is lively, but certainly friendly. There will be
close interaction with other teams and patrons.
--------------------------------
Date:
--------------------------------
* Nov 6, 2010
* Doors open to the public at 2:00
* Competition is roughly from 2:00 - 9:00
--------------------------------
Location:
--------------------------------
* Due to the phenomenal growth of Paella Lovers United’s annual festival, we realized we have outgrown our South Austin location and are continuing with the new location for this year’s event: 16525 Decker Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78653, which is a beautiful 17 acre farm located just a few miles east of Austin, and minutes north of the airport. (Take MLK east to 183 overpass. Continue on FM-969 for 5.9 miles. Turn Right on Decker Creek Dr. Continue for 0.4 miles. 16525 Decker Creek will be on the Right)
* See website for more information
http://paellaloversunited.com
--------------------------------
What Does It Cost?
--------------------------------
* There is
a small $25
deposit for competing. There is considerable expense it setting up this event, including wood, transport and other expenses. We hope you understand. If you would like more information
regarding this, please contact us at:
info@paellaloversunited.com
Deposits can be made through PayPal as seen on the website:
http://paellaloversunited.com > Paella Team Signup
Please bring proof of PayPal deposit confirmation to the event.
You will not be reimbursed without it.
--------------------------------
Team Names:
--------------------------------
* Each team will be required to have a team name. This is for judging
and documentation purposes.
--------------------------------
Team Size:
--------------------------------
* Each team is allowed a maximum of 3 members. All team members entry
fees will be waved.
* Sorry, other team supporters will be subject to the regular event entry.
Please note, that this is an open wood fire event. All dishes will
be prepared over an open, wood burning fire. Fires will be provided
and maintained by Paella Lovers United. Teams will be responsible
for controlling and regulating their own site. *NO* unsafe practices
will be allowed.
--------------------------------
Paella Styles:
--------------------------------
* There are numerous varieties of paella. However, the competition
will be grouped into two broad categories.
- Traditional
- Keep Austin Weird
Both these styles will be paella riced based.
Traditional will be judged on how well the dish represents the true to form Spanish traditions.
Keep Austin Weird is everything else. The variety is endless
and we encourage creativity.
--------------------------------
Team Responsibilities:
--------------------------------
* Team name and contact person/info:
Phone number/email/text, etc
* All paella ingredients and kitchen prep tools for their dish. This includes work pots, knives, spoons, serving utensils, etc. We encourage teams with quality as the main objective. After all, this is an open to the public event and everybody will be wanting to sample. It is also expect to user quality ingredients and proper paella rice (ie., No jasmine, rice). All cooking, etc is to be done onsite.
* Their own work table. Table space may be already be provided but will be limited - teams are encouraged to bring their portable tables if they have. Same with lawn chairs - best to bring your own. A flashlight for after dark cooking.
* Paella pan, 22 inch minimum required. (22-26 preferred). We can provide a limited number of 22 inch pans on a first come, first served basis (limit 7). FYI: A 22 inch pan can feed approximately 12-14 people. Afterwards, sharing of pans will be done with later teams waiting for earlier teams to finish. Teams will be required to clean loaned pans after use.
There are a number of excellent websites which provide pans and their
paella related material. Here are a few, but there are many more
available online:
http://www.tienda.com
http://www.paellapans.com
http://www.buyspain.com
* Pan support setup. (i.e. Large, open, oven rack or metal tripod,) The fire is contained with a small area by 6 inch construction cinder blocks. Teams will need to provide their own pan support setup to actually hold or balance their pan over the fire. Racks can be placed over/on the cinder blocks or within the pit itself. Heat regulation to the pan is the teams responsibility either by controlling the fire or pan height.
* Understand their own prep and cooking time and the timing of their dish for judging. Teams will be assigned a "READY TIME" and will be expected to be finished and at the presentation table on this time.
TEAMS ARE EXPECTED TO BE THERE EARLY ENOUGH TO PROPERLY PREPARE THEIR DISH AND SERVE
BY THEIR DESIGNATED READY TIME
* Maintaining and cleaning their site area and act with safety for themselves and others around the open fires. Teams with children must keep their loved ones away from all open fires.
* All finished paella with be available for open public consumption after judging.
* A lively, paella spirit with the sense of community.
--------------------------------------
What Paella Lovers United will provide:
--------------------------------------
* Fire pits, fires, fire tools (shovels, etc). Please note that
fire pits consist of an open wood burning fire, surrounded by
construction style, 6" or so cinder blocks. Each pit is
roughly 18-20 inch square. This is not fancy, but it is functional.
(See above for what teams are required to bring).
* Full size wash basin and cleaning table.
* Limited table space.
* Lighting (after dark).
* Water, trash pickup, etc.
* Prizes and gifts for teams and place winners (to be determined).
--------------------------------
Team Times (READY TIME):
--------------------------------
* Competition starts around 2:00 and proceeds until all teams have
been submitted.
* Approximately 15 to 30 minutes between competing teams depending total number of teams.
* Judging time for teams will be assigned on a first come request basis starting at 2:00 with approximately 15-20 minute increment between teams. This gives the judges time to review and rate and provide continual fresh paella to the public. If you have a preference "READY TIME", please let us know (2:00 - 9:00) PM. No guarantee, but will will certainly try to accommodate.
* Team signup are through the website:
http://paellaloversunited.com > Paella Team Signup
--------------------------------
Time Limits:
--------------------------------
* This is a casual competition - mostly for fun. However, teams will be
assigned a scheduled "READY TIME" and be expected to adhere to it.
With that, there is no preparation time limit. However, dishes must
be ready at their time. This allows judges to evaluate each dish.
It is HIGHLY encouraged for teams to get to the site well in advance
for preparation, etc. (At least 2-3 hours recommended).
--------------------------------
Judging Criteria:
--------------------------------
* Judging will be based on a pre-defined set of criteria. Items such
as quality of the rice, texture, carmelization, presentation, etc.
However, teams are encouraged to be creative in line with the spirit
of the event. This criteria is available from the website:
http://paellaloversunited.com > Judging Criterion
--------------------------------
How to Sign up:
--------------------------------
* Visit the website at
http://paellaloversunited.com > Paella Team Signup
and follow the instructions and fill in are requested information including
team name, contact info, etc. Let us know if you have or need a pan. If
your READY TIME is available, you can have it. Otherwise, we will try to
assign the next closest time.
Please remember that there is a refundable $25 deposit which can also
be paid through the website.
* You will be contacted for confirmation. Once at the site, look for Kelty
Christman (ask around - you will find her easily). She will confirm and
register your entry.
--------------------------------
Disclaimer:
--------------------------------
* By accepting this invitation and in consideration for attending such party,
you are agreeing to be solely responsible and liable, and to hold the host(s)
of the Party, the subject of this invitation (hereinafter "the party"), harmless
for any and damage, whether to person, property, or other, and whether under
tort, contract, statutory or any other legal theory, which may occur, directly
or indirectly, as a result of any action or inaction on your part, or as a
result of any action or inaction on the part of any person whom you invite
or inform of the party. Children will be the sole responsibility of those
who brought them.