How a giant meal brings people together
As a precocious child, I was very fond of watching Hanna-Barbera’s The Adventures of Gulliver. One of its many unforgettable scenes was a party of Lilliputians gathered around a circular table as they savored a giant ostrich egg.
This scene came to my mind as I witnessed the eighth Paella Gigante Festival held at the impressive and upscale Ayala Malls’ Greenbelt 3 Park, a verdant space surrounded by lagoons, a chapel and charming walking paths in the heart of the city.
A blessed event, it was amazing to witness chefs, guests and paella aficionados who converged around the colossal paellera. Over 25 of the country’s most celebrated chefs expertly crafted a culinary masterpiece fit for a grand feast.
According to chef J. Gamboa of El Cirkulo and director of LBT Philippines, “The chefs took turns cooking the paella, as the heat from the fire was intense, making it too hot to stand for more than two minutes at a time. Also, 25 students assisted with the preparation and dishing out of the paella, contributing to the seamless execution of the event.”
Paella captain chef Mikel Arriet, general manager of Anya Resorts Tagaytay, spearheaded the group during this tedious effort of preparing and cooking the paella.
The event was truly a spectacle. It was a very unique collaboration of these culinary wizards who have been putting so much of their unconditional time, effort and love into this project.
In 2012, Paella Gigante emerged as a joint initiative by Ayala Malls Greenbelt, Sociedad Española de Beneficencia (SEB), LTB Philippines and its esteemed partners. For this massive recipe, 100 kilos of McAsia rice were used. Next, 60 kilos of succulent AFC chicken added depth and richness to the dish. Mida Seafoods were poured in with fresh prawns, mussels, and squid totaling 176 pounds (80 kilos) creating a delicate flavor from the ocean. Finally, 23 kilos of smoky sausage combined with the ingredients made the dish even tastier. This masterpiece wouldn’t be called a complete paella without 30 kilos of Tierra de España Chorizo and 15 liters of Espafil Spanish olive oil.
As if this wasn’t enough, a 70-kilo avalanche of fresh 3KA vegetables poured in with crisp onions, vibrant bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes, which added bursts of color and brightness to the dish. Guests enjoyed and savored the paella, as Sweetlink generously provided 1,000 cutlery sets.
Did you know that the preparation of the paella required 10 sacks of firewood and four sacks of charcoal? It’s a testament to the scale and dedication put into creating this culinary spectacle.
Mitch Suarez, Ayala Malls Partner Relations Team deputy head, shared: “This Paella Gigante event has been ongoing these past years. The first ever was done in celebration of Madrid Fusion. Ayala Malls are delighted to provide the venue for the activity, making it more accessible, being in a mall setting for the community to join, especially the residents of Makati.”
Furthermore, the paellera used for the event was an impressive 12 feet in diameter, owned by Instituto Cervantes and stored at Casino Español. LTB Philippines rented a truck to transport it to the Milky Way Building, where it was cleaned and painted, ensuring it was in perfect condition for the grand event.
All proceeds from ticket sales contributed to the programs of Sociedad Española de Beneficencia. SEB, established in 1948, is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of elderly individuals. SEB’s commitment extends to supporting various beneficiaries, religious communities and foundations.
Chef Jerome Valencia, director of LTB Philippines, reflected on the event’s resounding success. “It’s truly remarkable,” he mused, “to see professional chefs, students, and food aficionados collaborate for this worthy endeavor.” LTB Philippines Chefs Association, the national chefs association and a member of World Association of Chefs Societies, has been organizing, sourcing ingredients and chefs for the Festival de Paella Gigante for nearly a decade.
Besides the paella cooking, a bevy of culinary delights and cultural spectacles unfolded. Live cooking demonstrations, Spanish performances, a photobooth, exquisite wines, and a diverse array of vendors transformed the venue into more than just an event; it became a feast for the senses!
Just like in Gulliver’s Travels, a collective meal merges gaiety and gastronomic joy. Paella Gigante’s triumph demonstrated that the power of food brings people together by celebrating cultural diversity and unforgettable experiences — one bite at a time.
See you at the next Paella Gigante event at Ayala Malls’ Greenbelt 3!
