Chef José Andrés hosted a backyard gathering this weekend, focusing on paella, the rice dish rooted in Spain’s Valencia region. The event, held at his home, brought together family and friends around a wood-fired pan set up outdoors.
Andrés, known for both his restaurants and his humanitarian work, shared photos and commentary from the afternoon. He described paella as a dish best enjoyed with a crowd, emphasizing its communal nature. Ingredients included chicken, rabbit, green beans, and saffron, following a classic Valencian recipe.
The chef encouraged home cooks to try making paella themselves as the weather warms. He noted that paella is adaptable, and suggested gathering friends or neighbors for an outdoor meal. Some New Yorkers may remember Andrés cooking large pans of the dish at events in Bryant Park and the West Side piers in past spring seasons.
Paella kits and specialty rice have become more common in local markets this spring, with shops in Jackson Heights and the Flatiron stocking bomba rice and imported saffron. Restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn are also featuring paella specials as outdoor dining picks up.
Andrés’s invitation comes as backyard and rooftop gatherings return with the start of festival season. With Memorial Day tomorrow, some New Yorkers may take inspiration from the chef’s approach to seasonal cooking and sharing.