Paella: The flavorful Spanish mixture of yellow rice and any number of proteins- lobster, fish, scallops, shrimp, sausage, chicken, pork, yet rarely ever beef. This eclectic dish also has the ability to stretch and feed any number of people from an intimate gathering of five or six to a Godfather-style wedding of hundreds. These companies make it easy to cater your next affair by providing on-site cooking of any kind of paella right in front of your guests.

Mr Paella: serves Miami-Dade, Broward and the Naples area. They offer traditional paella, country rice, chicken and rice, as well as Chinese-style fried rice. Sweet plantains, salad and bread, and appetizers are available at an extra charge. Mr. Paella has been in business for seven years.

Paella Party: serves South Florida. A more upscale operation, Paella Party offers not only paella, but a full menu of Spanish style dishes, appetizers, and desserts. Paella party also offers bar service. They have been in business for over 20 years. Paella Party is also a full event company offering tables, chairs, china, silver, stemware and even tents for rent.

Mr. Chef Paella: serves Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Specializes in seafood paella.

Paella Tropical: serves Miami-Dade county, but will go out of the area for a fee. Paella Tropical is also a full-service event company and offers the best deal that I have seen online, although I can't vouch for the food. For $8.50 per guest, the Tropical package provides tables, chairs, two glasses, two plates, three utensils, table linens, cloth napkins, salt, pepper, ashtrays and one hour of extra service.

The huge gas-fired paella pans provide entertainment for the guests while filling the air with the aroma of sauteeing onions and garlic. On that note, paella catering is best for an outdoor party as a confined space will send your guests home smelling like chorizos. Individual prices vary from company to company, but usually include salad and dinner rolls along with the paella.

Mr Paella [MenuPages]
Mr Paella [Official Site]
Paella Party [Official Site]
Paella Tropical [Official Site]

Photo: flickr