About Us

Tanya Rodriguez

Owner & Head Chef

Lizette Rodriguez

Operations & Event Manager

Our Story

Welcome to the rich history of Paella Valenciana, Southern California's premier paella catering company since 1977. Founded by Juan Pomares, a native of Spain, Paella Valenciana has been delivering authentic, unique, and aromatic paella experiences to San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties.

Known affectionately as "The Paella Man," Juan Pomares introduced the flavorful delight of paella to San Diegans in the 70s, bringing his Mama's Paella Recipe to life. Now, the legacy continues with the next generation as Juan's nieces, Chef's Tanya & Lizette manage and operate the business bringing to the table the same delicious Flavor of Spain 🇪🇸 and continue to provide the same excellent food and service as always.

Chef Juan, born and educated in the Alicante region of Valencia, Spain, passes on the art of cooking authentic, delicious paella to Chef Tanya. A native of San Diego and a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Chef Tanya has learned firsthand from her uncle and made extensive journeys to Spain to refine her craft.

At Paella Valenciana, we pride ourselves on using only the finest and freshest ingredients. Chef Tanya guarantees that you'll not only love our paellas for their delectable taste but also for the aromatic anticipation they evoke, adding to a fantastic atmosphere at your event. Located in San Diego, California, we stand ready to serve you the best paella in the world, any time, any day.

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Our Catering

For your upcoming party or special occasion, look no further for a reliable caterer providing only the best foods. Paella Valenciana offers a diverse menu of paellas cooked to perfection, showcasing the traditional flavors of Spain. Our paellas feature a delightful mix of chicken, seafood items like shrimp, calamari, mussels, clams, escallops, crab, lobster, and vegetables such as red bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and green peas.

Cooked with expertise and passion, our paellas are prepared in the iconic "paella pan," using olive oil and the exquisite spice of saffron. With over four decades of experience, we can guide you through various authentic paella variations, ensuring a culinary experience that meets the tastes and preferences of all paella lovers.

Whether it's weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, business and corporate functions, or any special event, our San Diego paella catering services promise to elevate your celebration with the unparalleled flavors of Paella Valenciana.

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Our Services

Wedding Catering

We offer On-Site Wedding Catering in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, & Riverside. We would love to make your Wedding extra special by cooking a fresh, sumptuous Paella for you and your guests on your very special day. If you are looking for experienced, highly professional caterers with a great reputation and wonderful food that melts in the mouth and creates its own magical atmosphere, then you have come to the right place. Ask about our Wedding Paella Tastings!

Parties & Celebrations

¡Hola! Let’s have some Paella fun!

At Paella Valenciana, we offer anniversaries, birthdays, celebrations, and party catering for entertaining your guests at your private home and other locations around San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles.

Corporate Events

At Paella Valenciana, we have over 35 years of experience in corporate catering in the San Diego area, with a fantastic range of Paella’s for events from the San Diego Padres team to Hollywood South Productions and from as few as 25 people to as many as 1,000+ people.

Paella Delivery

Experience the convenience of Paella Valenciana's delivery/drop-off catering services, bringing the exquisite flavors of our paellas straight to your location in the greater San Diego area. Choose from our signature dishes, which are expertly crafted for any occasion. Contact us now to ask for a quote and let us make your event truly unforgettable.

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FAQS

Are Your Ingredients Ethically Sourced?

Certainly! We are dedicated to ensuring that our ingredients are ethically sourced. Paella Valenciana is committed to supporting responsible and sustainable practices in every aspect of our culinary journey to ensure a delightful and memorable dining experience for your events. We shop locally for all our events.

What Should I Expect The Catering Process To Look Like?

Our Chef(s) will arrive 2-3 hours prior to Paella serving time for set-up and to start on-site cooking. We cook from scratch and serve your paella buffet style. Paella is served promptly at that designated time. About 45 minutes Serve Time; extra time may be added for a fee. Weddings 1 hour Serve Time.

Do You Offer Gluten Free or Vegetarian Options?

Yes, we proudly offer gluten-free and vegetarian options to accommodate various dietary preferences and restrictions. While we are not certified gluten-free, our paella is cooked with rice, olive oil, and our saffron seasoning, which does not list gluten as part of the ingredients. Note: our prep facility is not gluten-free or nut free.