By Wendy Lemlin

Paella.  Can I just say how much I love it?  To me, delving into the delectable rice dish is like a treasure hunt, or a Christmas tree full of presents to unwrap one by one. Dig into the pan and find gifts of seafood nestled among the savory rice—a bite of fish here, a tender shrimp or scallop there, clams and mussels peeking out from their shells, succulent tentacles of octopus or squid to be savored. Add the juicy morsels of chicken, maybe the spiciness of chunks of sausage, the aromatics of onions, garlic, bell peppers and a few threads of saffron, and you have what I consider the ideal one pan meal.

On Thursday, February 18, lucky diners can experience the perfection of paella at the Barrel Smoker Dinner Series V: The Paella Edition, to be held at Planet Rooth Design Haus, 3334 5^th Avenue, in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood. Two-time World Food Champion Ricardo Heredia will join with Paella Master Carlos S. Cervantes of Paellas Villa de Cervantes in making all your paella feasting fantasies come true. Both chefs will be using the iQ Oak Barrel Smoker designed by Swedish master craftsman Gustaf Anders Rooth, to update the classic dish with a pleasant depth of smokiness. Whistles will be wet with Baja wines by Hacienda La Lomita Winery and Villa Montefiori/ Paoloni Wines and Baja craft beer by Cerveceria Agua Mala.

The evening includes the pre-opening of the art exhibition “Glossed Over” by artist Daphne Hill, who will be in attendance.

Program:
6-7:30pm “Glossed Over” Pre-Opening/Oyster & Raw Bar by Ricardo Heredia
7:30-9pm Smoked Paella Extravaganza by Carlos S. Cervantes

Feb 18th, 6-9pm
Price: $75 USD (includes food, wine, beer and entertainment)
Tickets: https://barrelsmokerdinner5.eventbrite.com/

Get them ASAP—almost sold out!