The Paella King

Celebrate with Food and Music

It's been raining for a while here in Seattle (centuries at least). You are restless because you are having one of those Spain dreams you often have this time of year...you know, one of those compensatory dreams: You are on the Costa del Sol or the Costa Brava, and you are lounging at a beachside restaurant, your toes are wiggling in the sand, and you are intoxicated by the heat, the Mediterranean Sea… and yes, the sherry wine. 

You have entered into that timeless zone that so often occurs on a summer day in the south of Spain. Out of a desire to prolong the afternoon, you and your friends decide to splurge on a paella-- a dish to match the moment. After another half-hour of tapas (appetizers) and fino (dry sherry), the paella arrives. While it reposes on your table, allowing the various flavors to mingle, you admire it. Resting in the large, round shallow pan from which paella gets its name are prawns, squid, chicken, clams, mussels and legumes in a bed of golden rice. Infusing all is the exquisite aroma of saffron. Then, just as you and your friends prepare to indulge, the dream begins to fade….oh no! What to do?

Call the Paella King!

Jim Kuhn, the self-anointed "Paella King" understands your longings. Having grown up in the Seattle area, he has roots here; having studied flamenco music and culture in Andalucia, Spain, he is knowledgeable about Spanish cuisine and gypsy music. Since the early 1980s, Jim has promoted flamenco and Andalusian culture here in the Seattle area. He has played professionally with local dancers and singers and given lectures and cooking classes on flamenco music and Spanish cooking. In 1995, he went to Seville to visit old friends, and while admiring a display of large Paella pans in a shop, he had an epiphany-of sorts-to become the king of Paella in Seattle. Since then, he has been charming people with his unique talents as a specialty cook and flamenco guitarist. Most recently, he brought a version of his Paella to local fairs with his Paella King food booth, appearing in Bumbershoot, WOMAD, Fremont and the University District Street Fair, among others. In fact, there are a variety of ways to enjoy what the Paella King has to offer.

The Paella Dinner: You can have the Paella King come to your home, or other venue of your choice, and prepare a paella dinner for you and your guests. You can choose a paella that features meats, seafood, or a combination of the two. A vegetarian version is also an option. Prior to dinner you can sample traditional Spanish tapas such as manchego cheese with quince paste, an olive marinade or rustic Spanish tortilla. Wander over and chat with the King while he cooks the paella on his special burner. A salad is part of the dinner, and you can choose between a traditional mixed salad or a palate cleansing citrus salad. After your guests have been served the paella, the Paella King will transform himself into a flamenco guitarist. While your guests are eating, he will play authentic gypsy melodies, learned during his extended stays in Seville, southern Spain. If you really want an extravaganza, he can arrange a complete show with dancers, guitarist and singers!

The Paella King Cooking Class/Dinner Party: Why not assemble a group of friends and learn how to make Paella yourself? You can have the Paella King come to your home and teach you and your friends how to make a terrific Paella dinner. After the class session, you can invite friends over to share the Paella. The Paella King will not only teach you how to make this food, but also will inform you where to get the special ingredients and equipment you might need.

For information about availability and prices, please call the Paella King at 206-368-9090. www. paellaking.com