We all know that feeling socially connected supports health and wellbeing. However, for many people with coeliac disease eating out away from the home can cause fear and anxiety. Not being able to consume the same foods as easily as your peers, and the additional amount of thought required worrying about whether a particular food is safe to eat, can trigger stress and feelings of social isolation.
Whilst more gluten-free options are available on cafe menu's around the country, making it appear easier for people with coeliac disease to live and eat out freely, the risk of cross-contamination occurring when dining away from the home at work functions, events, or at restaurants and cafes is ever present. That is why the Dining Out Programme (DoP), a training and accreditation programme created by Coeliac New Zealand was initiated. The latest company to receive DoP accreditation is the event and catering company Paella Pan.
Founded by Aaron Kirkland Paella Pan brought the “The original pan paella™” dish to New Zealand in the late 1990’s. Aaron learnt the authentic method of creating this delicious rice and protein based dish from the Spanish chef Senor Joan Collado, having spent eight years in the South of France playing Rugby League. Fast forward to 2020 and you will find Aaron and his team of chefs as regular stallholders serving Paella Pan up to hungry visitors at the weekends Parnell Market, and open-air events around Auckland at weddings, birthdays, sporting and other special occasion events.
Paella Pan uses only the finest artisan ingredients, with authentic recipes based on chicken, beef, fish, and shellfish as well as a new twist on the classic adding vegetarian and vegan options – all dedicated to being gluten free and coeliac friendly. Cooked in the distinctive two handled paella pans, sometimes as large as 1.5 metres wide and made to withstand the intense heat of an open flame.
The dish is said to have come from Moorish kings’ servants mixing rice and leftovers from royal banquets in large pots to take home. Some say that that word paella originated from the Arab word “baqiyah” meaning leftovers. However, it is now believed that it comes from the name of the paella pan it is cooked in - the Latin term patella, a flat plate on which offerings were made to the Gods.
Not only are Paella Pan’s dishes delicious, but they also are visually stunning and can be ordered as individual or family portions for pick-up or delivery on Fridays and Sundays or can be booked for catered events – ensuring a coeliac friendly and inclusive dish for all.
To order online or to make an enquiry see Paella Pan.