As part of the "La Creueta" fiesta celebrations in L'Alfaz del Pi, the town hall are treating us to a "gigantic" paella on Saturday at 2pm. La Creueta means "Little cross" in Valenciano and refers to the stone cross opposite the old police station in Alfaz. Back in the old days Alfaz was like a different town to the one it is today and as the cross was deemed so far away from the church it warranted its very own fiesta.... so this weekends celebrations are like a mini fiesta with various free going ons.
You can watch the entire process of the paella being cooked from scratch - which is quite an amazing sight. The paella pan must be at least 10ft in diameter and is especially bought to the town and lowered into position by crane.
A fire made up of logs is constructed underneath the paella pan ..... when they need to "turn down" the flame they kick afew logs away and likewise add some when they need more heat!
The ingredients are measured by the bucket load..... kilo's of chicken, rabbit, beans, peppers, garlic and not forgetting the "Fallera" rice followed by litres and litres of water & stock. The chefs stir the paella using huge shovels ..... and the crowds gather in eager anticipation licking their lips as the aroma begins to linger in the air. As the boxes of cut up baguette are carried over to the paella cooking area orderly queues begin to form. Plastic plates and forks are laid out on tables ready to be loaded with paella and handed out to the gathering crowds. So if you fancy a taste of some authentic Spanish paella make your way to Alfaz on Saturday! 
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