Brownsville Hosts Paella for Prosperity

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Brownsville Hosts Paella for Prosperity

A meal like this one from two Brownsville firefighters will be the main dish at this Saturday's Paella for Prosperity in Brownsville.
A meal like this one from two Brownsville firefighters will be the main dish at this Saturday’s Paella for Prosperity in Brownsville.

Ready to have one of Spain’s ancient-styled dishes cooked by some of the best Rio Grande Valley chefs?

If so, head out this Saturday, Oct. 19, to Brownsville’s Historical Market Square for the first annual Paella for Prosperity. The food extravaganza will take place for a good cause. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Close to 20 cooking teams will be doing their best to come out with the best entries at the event held to benefit the Moody Clinic. The health care organization provides services to children with special needs.

Paella is a traditional meal from Spain’s Valencia region. It contains a variety of ingredients, including rice, saffron, rosemary, seafood, chicken, sausage and even rabbit, all on a paella dish.

Making Paella for Prosperity happen

Rotary clubs from Brownsville and Los Fresnos sponsor the event. Steven Garza, president of the Brownsville Rotary Club, said all the money made from the cooking event will be donated to the clinic.

“This is the first annual Paella for Prosperity,” Garza said. “We (the Brownsville Rotary Club) came up with the idea and we have now the other clubs supporting us.”

The Paella for Prosperity also takes place thanks to the participation of dozens of sponsors. Among them are Drennan Construction, Tipton Ford, Central Volt, Parra Furniture, GP Seven Construction, Cindy Hinojosa, the Law Office of Erin Garcia and Region Staffing.

Admission is $40 in advance, $50 at the door. Tickets include beer, wine, sangria and paella sampling (premium liquor upgrades are available)The fee for a cooking team is $200 with cooking starting at 3 p.m. Brownsville Market Square is located at 1150 Market Square Street.

For more information, call Steve Garza ad 956-789-7784.

Freelance journalist Tony Vindell has more than 30 years experience as a newspaper reporter. Born in Nicaragua, he studied journalism and political science at the University of Missouri-Columbia and at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. He began his career working for The Pecos Enterprise in West Texas. Vindell also worked for The Laredo News, The Brownsville Herald, Valley Morning Star, Port Isabel News Press and the Raymondville Chronicle/News. Vindell, who lives in Brownsville with his wife Sharon, enjoys hunting, fishing and traveling.

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