Jose Andres' Award-winning Tapas Restaurant, Jaleo, Celebrates The Tenth Annual Paella Festival Featuring Special Guest, Chef Rafael Vidal

It's that time of year to honor Spain's favorite culinary tradition, paella! From September 17th through September 30th, Jose Andres and his culinary team at Jaleo, will celebrate the Tenth Annual Paella Festival with a two-week event featuring inspired cocktails and dishes with special guest and the master of paella, Chef Rafael Vidal of Restaurante Levante in Benisano, Spain, the birthplace of paella.

The Jaleo team, led by Head Chef Ramon Martinez, has designed a program of activities that will allow Washington the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Spain through a number of paella inspired culinary events.

First, on September 16th, as part of the annual Crystal City Vintage Crystal event, Jaleo will showcase their renowned giant paella with a cooking demonstration and shared samples.

On Monday, September 17th from 6 pm to 8 pm, Jaleo begins the festivities with a kickoff celebration at Jaleo Crystal City. The kickoff event is open to the public, but space is limited. Reservations can be made at: rsvp@jaleo.com.

Guests will be delighted by the unique Jaleo paellas inspired by Chef Vidal and the region of Valencia. Vidal is famous for preparing this dish in the authentic technique over a wood fire. His family has been serving paella for kings and queens for the past three generations. The rotating paella specials will be available all day at each Jaleo location and are priced between $40 and $65, which serves from 4 - 6 people. Jaleo's paellas combine exciting ingredients with an array of varieties of rice, resulting in outstanding, savory dishes. Featured items include Paella Valenciana, paella from Valencia with chicken and rabbit; Fideua negra con pulpo, paella of black noodles with octopus; Paella de pescados y mariscos, seafood paella; Arroz de verduras de temporada, seasonal vegetable paella; Arroz con col y costillas de cerdo, paella with Iberico ribs and cauliflower; Arroz caldoso de pollo y alcachofa, soupy rice with chicken and artichoke, as well as Arroz seco de bogavante, lobster paella. Standout cocktails available during the Paella Festival include: the refreshing Gold Standard, prepared with saffron infused gin, and the sweet-scented Cracked Nut Primed, with horchata and Spanish brandy. Both priced at $12.00

Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to learn how to make classic paella with Jaleo's Head Chef, Ramon Martinez, who will lead two cooking classes throughout the two-week festival. Classes will be held on Wednesday, September 19th and on Wednesday, September 26th from 12 PM to 2 PM at Jaleo Bethesda. Classes are priced at $25 per person and include a paella lunch (tax and gratuity not included). Seating is limited to 15 guests. Reservations can be made by calling (301) 913-0003. After the festival, starting October 1st, Chef Martinez will deliver 3 additional cooking classes in Living Social in their 918 F St location. For more information, visit www.livingsocial.com

Under the direction of Chef Jose Andres, Jaleo is an award-winning tapas bar with three locations in the Washington metro area. Jaleo is located at 480 7th Street, NW, in Washington, DC, (202) 628-7949; at 7271 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland, (301) 913-0003 and at 2250-A Crystal Drive in Arlington, Virginia, (703) 413-8181. Jaleo Downtown is open Monday 11:30 am-10:00 pm; Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 am-11:30 pm; Friday and Saturday 11:30 am-12:00 am and Sunday 11:30 am-10:00 pm. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday until 3:00 pm. Jaleo Bethesda is open Sunday-Thursday 11:30 am-10:00 pm; Friday and Saturday 11:30 am-12:00 am and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday until 3 pm. Jaleo Crystal City is open Tuesday -Thursday 11:30 am-10:00 pm; Friday and Saturday 11:30 am -11:00 pm and Sunday 11:30 am-10:00 pm and brunch is served o