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The local farmers’ markets are officially open, and we couldn’t be more excited. We love being in the middle of all the excitement and connecting with our customers every week. There’s nothing better than interacting with the crowd, serving up our delicious paella, and seeing all the smiles!  Third Street Farmers’ Market in Naples The Third Street Famers’ Market in Naples runs all year long, but we decided to kick off our market season a month early on Saturday, November 2nd. The market will be open every Saturday from 7:30-11:30 am through the middle of April. Located on Third Street South between Broad Avenue South and 13th Avenue South, the market offers delicious seafood, cheeses, pastas, grass-fed beef, jams, prepared foods, and, of course, award-winning paella from Fire & Rice! You’ll find our Naples’ food truck at the Third Street Farmers’ Market each week during the season. This past Saturday, so many people came out to enjoy our paella. We got to see so many of our customers – it was an absolute delight. Marco Island Farmers’ Market Another local tradition is the Marco Island Farmers’ Market, which officially opened on Wednesday, November 13th. The market is located at Veterans’ Community Park and is open from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm on Wednesdays through the middle of April. You’ll find fresh fruit, seafood, honey, sauces, chocolate, fresh flowers, exotic jewelry, soaps, local artwork, and so much more.  Each week, you’ll find Fire & Rice at the market, right at the center of all the action. This past Wednesday, it was so wonderful to see all the smiling faces returning to the market. We love having the opportunity to serve our customers on a regular basis through the busy season. It’s a wonderful time for all. The Fire & Rice Naples Food Truck is a Time-Honored Tradition at the Local Farmers’ Markets For more than a decade, Fire & Rice has been enthusiastically preparing paella at the local farmers’ markets. Each season, we look forward to the markets opening and making them part of our weekly routine. If you have yet to try our mouth-watering paella, the time is now. Come down to either of the markets, look for our Naples’ food truck, and say hello!  You’ll see our chefs cooking our paella in large pans right out in front for everyone to see. Our enthusiasm typically draws a crowd, and everyone gathers around. We encourage people to be a part of the paella preparation. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants to join in!
Using only the finest ingredients imported from 16th Century Spain, our chefs combine chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice for a flavor and texture that is simply divine. Many of our clients travel all over the world and say our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted. People come down to the markets early in the morning to taste the first batch of our delicious paella. If you can’t make it down early, don’t worry! Now, you can pre-order our paella online, and we’ll put some aside for you. Just make sure to pick up your paella before the market closes. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting Naples food truck experience for your next party or event, contact Fire & Rice at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at the markets!
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On August 31, 2019, Edward Pearson, a United States Army veteran, died in Naples, Florida at the age of 80. It was understood that he had no immediate family, and community members were concerned that he was going to be buried alone. Funeral director, Michael Hoyt, published the following sentence in a local newspaper: This veteran has no immediate family, and all are welcome to attend. When news of the open service hit social media, the response was overwhelming. Quickly, Pearson’s obituary went viral, and both U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and CNN host Jake Tapper tweeted about the story.  More Than 2,000 Head to Sarasota FL to Pay Their Respects The funeral was scheduled for October 1, 2019 at 12:30 pm in an open-air pavilion at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida, and hundreds of people in the region said that they were planning to attend. In Naples, a city with many retirees and veterans, residents were ready to make the trip to Sarasota to honor Pearson’s life. Fire & Rice founder, Chef Paul Schmidgall, also a military veteran, and his colleague, Colleen Connolly, made the trip to show their respects. “No veteran should be laid to rest alone.” U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, William Bowman, told the Associated Press, “You know what? There’s no way I’m going to let him do this alone. I’ve never met the man. But he’s a veteran and he’s a brother of mine.”  Remarkably, more than 2,000 people showed up to attend the funeral, most of who had never met Pearson. Patty Thrasher, Pearson’s friend, commented to the AP, “I think he would have just totally been in tears. He’s looking down and probably crying his heart out.”
From 1962-1964, Pearson served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Public records say that he later became an engineer and worked at Marriott Hotel Services Inc. Upon his death, no family members claimed his body, but his good friend took care of the funeral arrangements. Sources: https://www.armytimes.com/veterans/2019/10/01/public-invited-to-florida-funeral-for-army-veteran-who-had-no-family/ https://www.armytimes.com/veterans/2019/10/01/2000-plus-attend-funeral-of-florida-veteran-with-no-kin/ https://www.simplemost.com/more-than-2000-people-showed-up-to-a-funeral-for-this-veteran-with-no-immediate-family/ Naples’ Paella Catering Founder Heads to Low Country SC for the Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival!10/19/2019 The Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival takes place October 12th-19th in Bluffton, SC, right in the heart of Low Country between Hilton Head and Interstate 95. Bluffton is a charming town that is situated along the beautiful May River and boasts an eclectic art community. All week long, you can sample the area’s amazing seafood while perusing the local art and enjoying the area’s Southern hospitality.  For the second year in a row, Fire & Rice Low Country will be part of this fantastic event. You’ll see us preparing our award-winning paella and interacting with the crowd in a unique communal setting that’s fun for everyone involved. Chef Paul Schmidgall, the founder of the Fire & Rice franchise, made the trip up to Low Country to be part of the action and help the team in any way he can. Fire & Rice Offers a Fun & Exciting Paella Catering Experience at the Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival There are so many activities at the Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival. You can take your time strolling through a wide array of artwork, go on a boat tour, try paddleboarding, or sit back and watch a boat parade, to name just a few. Throughout the day, you can listen to a wide range of music, including acoustic soul, southern blues, contemporary jazz, country, and more. But, most importantly, make sure you try the wonderful seafood options available from the area’s finest food establishments!  When you head down to the festival, you’ll find Fire & Rice right in the middle of it all, preparing our delicious paella in large shallow pans out in front for everyone to see. Using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th Century Spain, our chefs enthusiastically combine traditional seafood ingredients with meat, saffron, and Bomba rice for a delicate flavor and texture that is simply divine. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say that our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted. As soon as you see Fire & Rice, you’ll know there’s fun to be had. People are drawn to our enthusiasm as well as the beauty of the dish, and we typically bring in a crowd. People gather around the pans, and we encourage them to join in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants a turn!  Naples Paella Catering & Beyond! More than a decade ago, Chef Paul Schmidgall brought his authentic paella concept to Naples, and it caught on like wildfire. Now, you can enjoy award-winning paella from Fire & Rice at multiple locations across the country! If you’d like to learn more about Naples paella catering for your next party or event, call (239) 269-8857 or book your party online.
Please help welcome Colleen Connolly to Fire & Rice as she officially joins the Naples’ paella catering team this October! Colleen has worked extensively in the catering business over the years and brings with her a wealth of knowledge as an industry expert. This summer, she’s entrenched herself in our paella culture, and we can’t wait for her to jump right in!  Naples’ Original Paella Catering Company Welcomes Colleen Connolly The Fire & Rice paella catering concept has spread like wildfire over the last decade, and our team has been working at full capacity for some time. This fall, we’re ready to expand so that we can bring our award-winning paella to more parties and events than ever before. As the paella business has continued to grow at top-speed over the last year, Fire & Rice founder, Chef Paul Schmidgall, has been considering a new hire. His goal has been to find a professional caterer with the experience, personality, skill set, and talent to flourish in the position and take on new responsibilities.  Chef Paul has known Colleen for many years – they both live in Naples, share common interests, and have been in the catering business for a long time. In fact, Colleen has been running the day-to-day operations for a catering and event business for more than 15 years! From staffing and décor to planning, booking, and site checks, Colleen has done it all. And when she told Chef Paul that she was looking for a change, he knew that she was the right one for the job. Having seen Chef Paul grow the paella catering business and watching the way runs his company, Colleen is excited about the opportunity. She said that her experience at Fire & Rice so far has been lots of fun, and she looks forward to the newness of it all as well as forging new relationships.  One of the things Colleen loves most about the opportunity is that she’s able to interact with clients during a time that is exciting for them, such as a party or event, as she really enjoys helping people. Right now, her biggest challenge is learning how to drive the trailer, but she’s confident that she’ll master it before too long!
If you’re looking for a unique and exciting alternative for your next catered party or event and would like to learn more about our award-winning Naples’ paella catering, call (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to helping you make your next occasion something special that people will remember for years to come! Naples’ Paella Catering Franchise Attends Springboard Conference 2019 for Emerging Franchisors10/5/2019 When you start franchising, you’re venturing into a different way of doing business. All of your past achievements don’t necessarily help guide you, and neither do your street smarts. The role of a franchisor is a road that you’ve never been down before, and the framework of your business is different than what you’ve experienced in the past. Relationships are more complicated, and lots of different pieces need to come together simultaneously to achieve success.  Chef Paul Schmidgall, the founder of the booming Fire & Rice paella catering franchise, knows that being a franchisor means that you continually have to evolve in order to grow your business, and part of that process is to connect with other franchisors and keep learning. So, from September 18-20, Chef Paul attended the Springboard 2019 Conference for Emerging Franchisors in Philadelphia and couldn’t have been more thrilled with the experience. Springboard Conference: What to Expect The Springboard Conference is an exciting, energized opportunity to connect with other franchisors in your industry and beyond. You receive guidance from successful franchisors, come together in break-out sessions, and get actionable items to grow your business. Successful franchisors will share what they have done right, the mistakes they’ve made, and how they’ve achieved success. Springboard experts agree that operating a successful franchise is based on strategy, not luck, and even though you may have the best product, be able to distinguish your brand from the competition, and make money, you need to foster the right relationships to succeed. Some of those critical relationships include franchisees, vendors, customers, state regulators, and people in your community. Not only will successful franchisors share their approach to networking, you’ll also have the opportunity to be part of Springboard’s amazing on-site networking experience with franchisors at all stages of the game.  From finances, digital marketing, operations, new franchisees, leveraging brokers and consultants, scalability, PR exposure, franchise onboarding, boosting internal sales, marketing, and so much more, the wealth of information presented and discussed during the Springboard Conference is current and relevant. To see the complete itinerary at this year’s conference, click here. Post-conference, franchisors rave about the Springboard. They say the weekend was inspirational and idea-packed with guidance from the greatest minds in the franchise world. Whether you’re beginning your role as a franchisor or have been in the franchise business for many years, this is the event of the year to connect with others, share ideas, learn, and get assurance that you’re on the right path.  From Naples’ Paella Catering to Fire & Rice Franchises Around the Country Fire & Rice opened its first location in Naples more than a decade ago, and the paella catering concept spread like wildfire. Now, you can enjoy our award-winning paella all around the country!
If you’d like to learn more about Fire & Rice franchise opportunities or are interested in our Naples paella catering services, call us at (239) 269-8857. We look forward to hearing from you! If you haven’t had the opportunity to try paella from Fire & Rice in Naples yet, now is the time! With our busy season is right around the corner, October is the perfect time to enjoy the ultimate paella experience before the crowds arrive this November.  If you’re new to paella in Naples, you may wonder what sets Fire & Rice apart from other catering companies. While there are lots of reasons to host a Fire & Rice Party, here are the top four: 1.We offer award-winning paella using traditional ingredients. Are you tired of the run-of-the-mill fare that you find at parties and events and looking for an exciting food option for your next catered affair? At Fire & Rice, we create our award-winning paella using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th Century Spain. Our chefs carefully combine chicken and sausage with saffron and Bomba rice in large pans, bringing together the delicate flavors and textures for a cultural, culinary experience that is simply divine. Meat can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s Mixta Paella, Paella de Valencia, or Paella de Marisco, when you take your first bite, it will exceed all expectations. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say that our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted.  2.We have a unique twist on catering that’s fun and exciting. Fire & Rice is more than a catering company; it’s the ultimate paella experience. We create an energized atmosphere everywhere we go and, from the moment your guests arrive, they’ll know they’re in for a treat. As they mix and mingle, they’ll see our chefs enthusiastically preparing paella out in front for everyone to see. We’re passionate about paella, and it shows! During the preparation, gentle aromas fill the air, touching the senses, and people are drawn to the pans, which are filled with a palette of primary colors. As the guests gather around, we encourage them to join in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants a turn! When the paella is ready, we invite everyone up to the pans and serve them. During this time, guests come together in a communal dining setting that is warm and inviting, creating a feeling of camaraderie that is like nothing they’ve encountered before.  3. We are Naples’ original paella catering company. More than a decade ago, Chef Paul Schmidgall, the founder of the booming Fire & Rice franchise, brought his paella catering concept to Naples FL, and it caught on like wildfire. Now you can find Fire & Rice locations throughout the US! But would you believe that there are people in the Naples area that are pretending to be Fire & Rice? We want to make sure that if you’re looking for Fire & Rice that you’re not dealing with any paella imposters. So, we suggest that when you’re making a phone call to book a party, or speaking to someone at a Farmers’ market, to make sure that you’re dealing directly with Fire & Rice. If there’s any kind of runaround, it’s not us! 4. We make things easy for the host. Because our goal is for you is to enjoy your celebration to the fullest extent and spend time with your guests, we make hosting a Fire & Rice party as easy as possible. We arrive to set up about an hour before the event and bring everything we need to prepare the paella and serve your guests. Just book your party, and we’ll take care of the rest. It’s really that simple! Fire & Rice: The Ultimate Paella Experience in Naples If you’re looking for a unique twist on catering that friends and family will remember for years to come, call us at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing the ultimate paella experience with you and your guests at your next party or event in Naples!
People go wild for food trucks these days! From college campuses, county fairs, festivals, farmers’ markets, and other pop-ups, food trucks are taking over parks and parking lots across the nation, and patrons are coming out to sample the food and embrace the atmosphere. Whether you’re in Southwest Florida or other parts of the country, you’ll find that the food truck scene is more rampant than ever.  If you’ve hit the food truck circuit in Southwest Florida, you know that typical fare includes hot dogs, pizza, tacos, burgers, fries, and donuts. And while many people enjoy these selections, finding something new and exciting is always a treat. At Fire & Rice, we offer award-winning paella in an interactive setting that’s fun and exciting for everyone involved. We have a unique twist on the food truck experience, and it’s something people remember for years to come. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted.  A New Twist on the Naples’ Food Truck Experience At Fire & Rice, we’re passionate about paella, and it shows! Whenever you see our Naples’ food truck, you’ll know there’s fun to be had. Whether we’re working a private party, a farmers’ market, or another local event, you’ll see our chefs enthusiastically preparing delicious paella right out in front for everyone to see. We interact with the crowd and engage people in the paella preparation. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants to join in! Paella is a dish that is meant for sharing, and at Fire & Rice, we create an atmosphere that is warm and inviting. During the paella preparation, delightful aromas fill the air, and it’s a sensual experience for all. The dish itself is beautiful, with its palette of primary colors, and people are drawn to the pans, connecting with others during the preparation process. The camaraderie builds during the shared experience, and memories are created that will last a lifetime. And when people sit down to take their first bite of our authentic paella, this delicate dish will exceed all expectations.  Using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, we combine chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice in large shallow pans for gentle flavors and textures that are simply divine. Meat can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting Naples food truck experience for your next party or event, call us today at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. Also, make sure to check us out at the Naples’ farmers’ markets in early-November! Each September, as the snowbirds start to return to Naples, we get excited for the beginning of paella season. During the summer months, we’ve been performing maintenance and staff training, and now we’re ready to hit the ground running. It’s time for the fun to begin!  While the area’s not quite yet in full swing, we start to see a bustle of activity and excitement during shoulder season. People are ready to have some fun before the crowds arrive, and this is a great time of year to host a private party, community event, corporate lunch, or other affair. If you’re looking to cater a party or event in September or October but are tired of run-of-the-mill catering options, Fire & Rice offers a fun and exciting cultural catering experience that is sure to exceed expectations. By offering authentic paella in an interactive setting, we create a warm, inviting atmosphere and energy everywhere we go. Naples’ Original Paella from Fire & Rice is the Real Deal The paella catering concept was first conceived when Fire & Rice founder, Paul Schmidgall, was stationed in the Europe with the US military many years ago and visited the Spanish island of Menorca. There, he learned the paella preparation process from an elderly woman and fell in love with the dish. At that moment, he had a dream to bring paella to the US, and more than a decade ago, that dream became a reality.  Since then, paella catering from Fire & Rice has been spreading like wildfire through Southwest Florida. People can’t get enough of it, and whenever you see our chefs cooking up a batch of Naples’ original paella, you’ll know there’s fun to be had. Using the only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, our chefs prepare our award-winning paella right out in front for everyone to see. By combining chicken, sausage, saffron, and vegetables with Bomba rice in large, shallow pans using a traditional process, the result is out of this world, like nothing you’ve ever encountered before. The meat options can be substituted or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Our paella experience is interactive, and as people gather around the pans to watch, we encourage them to join in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants to get in on the action!  Paella is a dish meant for sharing, and when the dish is ready, guests comes together in a communal dining setting. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the camaraderie amongst the crowd is something to behold. When everyone sits down to taste the paella, they delight in the experience, as it exceeds every expectation. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say our paella is the best that they’ve ever tasted.
But don’t be fooled by paella vendors trying to imitate the Naples’ original paella! Believe it or not, there are people out there pretending to be Fire & Rice, and we want to make you aware of the situation. This way, you can make sure you’re dealing with us from the start rather than get disappointed when someone else shows up at your event. If anyone tries to tell you they are affiliated with us in any way, it’s not the case, and if you’re responding to an online ad, just make sure you’re speaking with Fire & Rice. If there’s any kind of run-around, it’s not us! For an authentic paella catering option that’s fun and exciting, call Fire & Rice today at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing Naples’ original paella with you! Early Snowbirds Kick Off Shoulder Season with a Fun & Exciting Naples’ Catering Alternative9/6/2019 By January, all of the Naples’ snowbirds will have returned to beautiful Southwest Florida, but 25% of the seasonal residents will return earlier in September and October. If you fall into the early snowbird category, you’re ready to kick off shoulder season and catch up with friends you haven’t seen in many months.  To celebrate, you’d like to organize a welcome back party, but you’re tired of the typical catering fare you find everywhere you go. You want to do something really different this year, something memorable, though you don’t feel like fussing with a lot of details. Where can you find a Naples’ catering company that you can trust to meet your expectations without a lot of planning on your end? At Fire & Rice, we offer a unique cultural catering experience that’s fun, exciting, and easy for the host. By preparing delicious paella out in front for everyone to see and interacting with the crowd in a communal dining setting, our parties are a hit every single time. We also make the process as easy as possible for the host. You just book your party, and we’ll take care of the rest. It’s really that simple!  Unique Naples’ Catering: What to Expect When you hire a catering company for the first time, it’s reasonable to have a little anxiety about how everything will turn out. At Fire & Rice, we want your party to be a huge success, and we also want you to feel relaxed during the event and enjoy yourself. With that in mind, we’re here to share what to expect when we cater a party for you. Our chefs will arrive in a Fire & Rice food truck about an hour before the event. You just point us in right direction, and we’ll get set up and ready to go. We provide everything we need to prepare the paella and serve your guests so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.  When your guests arrive, they’ll immediately know that they’re in for a treat. Right out in front, our chefs will enthusiastically prepare our award-winning paella in large, shallow pans using a traditional process dating back to 16th-Century Spain. We’re passionate about paella, and guests will be drawn to the excitement as well as the beauty of the dish. As people gather around the pans, we encourage them to join in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone will want to join in.
Using only the finest ingredients, we combine chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice for a delicate flavor that is simply divine. The meat can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available. Whether it’s Mixta Paella, Paella de Valencia, or Paella de Marisco, our paella will exceed all expectations. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say that our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted. If you’re headed back to Southwest Florida for the shoulder season and are looking for an exciting Naples’ catering experience, call Fire & Rice today at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to helping make your party a huge success! If you’ve tried authentic paella from Fire & Rice at a party or event, you know it’s a wonderfully unique dish as well as a special experience. Using the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, our award-winning paella is based in tradition. But what is the tradition behind paella, and how did this authentic dish find its way to Naples, Florida?  Paella - Circa 1500, Valencia Spain The first paella dishes are thought to have been prepared by Valencian farmers, who gathered ingredients that were readily available to them on their farms, such as peppers, rice, and beans, to cook their lunchtime meals. Early paella dishes were often prepared with snails, as you could find them around the countryside or acquire them for a low price. For more festive occasions, rabbit and chicken were introduced, and later, seafood became part of the mix.  In 16th-century Spain, paella was often the main entrée at social affairs, which could be likened to a modern-day barbeque here in the US. Back in the day, men were competitive about their paella and debated the best preparation techniques. Since those early times, paella continues to be celebrated in Valencia and all throughout Spain at festivals and cooking competitions. Throughout history, there have been many paella variations, such as paella with chicken and sausage, seafood paella, and vegetarian paella, but two ingredients have always been elemental: Bomba rice and saffron. Bomba rice, which was plentiful in 16th-century Valencia, magnificently absorbs the flavor of each ingredient, and saffron, with its delicate flavor, is delightful to any palette. Chef Paul Brings Paella to Naples, FL In Naples, paella is all the rage, and people can’t get enough of it. But how did paella make its way from Spain to Southwest Florida? When Chef Paul was stationed with the US military in Europe, he visited the Spanish island of Menorca, where he met an elderly woman who was preparing paella. He was fascinated by the paella process as well as the beauty of the dish, which was rich with a palette of primary colors. Even though they didn’t speak the same language, the woman engaged Chef Paul in the process, teaching him how to clean the fish, prawns, and shellfish, and later demonstrating how to combine the ingredients in a large, shallow pan.  At that very moment, Chef Paul felt such a connection with the experience that he decided to bring paella to Naples, Florida. With a culinary degree, MBA, and two military tours under his belt, Chef Paul opened his first paella location, right here in Naples more than a decade ago, and the people of Naples have been delighting in the experience ever since!
If you’re interested in a unique, exciting, and delicious catering experience, try award-winning paella in Naples from Fire & Rice. To schedule your event, give us a call at (239)-269-8857 or book your party online. It’s that simple! Providing an exciting catering option is critical to running a successful event. If you’re in charge of planning a grand opening, open house, club meeting, or booking a food truck for residents in a community, you want that experience to be both memorable and enjoyable.  With so many community events providing run-of-the-mill fare, you can make your event stand out from the rest by offering unique food options, but you need to make sure to hire a catering company that you can trust to meet your expectations. By choosing Fire & Rice, you can rest assured that your event will be a hit. While most food trucks offer familiar food options such as pizza, pretzels, hot dogs, and burgers, we prepare our award-winning paella in large pans right out in front for everyone to see. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants to be part of the action! Don’t Miss Out on Naples’ Favorite Food Truck Experience! At Fire & Rice, we’re passionate about paella, and whenever you see our Naples’ food truck, you can be sure there’s fun to be had! Our chefs prepare paella in front of the crowd, and people are drawn to our enthusiasm as well as the beauty of the dish. As people gather around the pans, they are encouraged to participate in the preparation process. Everyone comes together and shares in the experience, and even the wallflowers want a turn.  Using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, our chefs carefully fuse chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice, perfecting a delicate flavor and texture. Meat can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Paella is a dish that is meant for sharing, and as your guests come together in the communal dining setting and take their first bite or our delicious paella, they will delight in the magnificent flavors and feel the energy in the room. Whether you serve our Mixta Paella, Paella Valencia, or Paella de Marisco, we create every dish with love and enthusiasm, and the result is amazing. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say that our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted.  If you’re a realtor looking to make a good impression on prospective buyers at an open house, a residential community director searching for the food truck of the week, or a local store manager organizing a grand opening, our chefs will hit the mark every single time. By offering unique and delightful catering options in an exciting communal atmosphere, Fire & Rice will exceed every expectation.
For a catering option that's new and exciting, call Fire & Rice at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. Let our Naples’ food truck make your next event an affair that will be remembered for years to come! Make Your Next Party an Occasion to Remember with Lansing Paella Catering from Fire & Rice8/17/2019 You love to entertain and are ready to host your next party, but you’re tired of the same run-of-the-mill catering options you see at every event. After all, how many times can guests eat stuffed mushroom caps and scallops-wrapped-in-bacon before these selections just become downright dull?  While you’re looking for exciting food options, you want to feel confident that the catering company you choose can achieve your goals. But where do you turn for a unique alternative for your next catered affair? At Fire & Rice of Lansing, we offer a unique twist on catering that you’ve never encountered before. Using the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, we prepare award-winning paella in a communal dining setting while creating an energized atmosphere that’s fun and exciting for everyone involved. We also make everything easy for the host! Lansing Paella Catering from Fire & Rice: Exceptional Cultural Cuisine in a Fun & Exciting Atmosphere At Fire & Rice, we’re passionate about paella, and from the moment your guests arrive, they’ll know they’re in for a treat. Your guests will see our chefs interacting with the crowd as they enthusiastically prepare paella in large shallow pans right out in front for everyone to see. With a palette of primary colors and gentle aromas filling the air, the experience is sensual for all.  During the preparation process, everyone gathers around the pans, and the excitement builds. The chefs encourage the guests to join in the paella preparation, and even the wallflowers want a turn. Energy moves through the crowd, and everyone’s having the time of their lives. Fire & Rice achieves paella perfection by melding the flavors of chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice through a traditional preparation process. The meat can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan When the paella is ready, we invite the guests up to the pans and serve them. The communal dining setting is warm and inviting, and people come together to share in the experience. And when they sit down to take their first bite of paella, the delicate flavors and textures are simply divine, like nothing they’ve ever encountered before. Whether it’s Paella Valencia, Mixta Paella, or Paella Marisco, your guests will delight this sensual dining experience and remember it for years to come. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say that our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted.  Lansing Catering Made Easy At Fire & Rice, it’s our goal for your party to be a huge success, and we want to make things as easy as possible for you as the host. We’ll arrive about an hour before the party starts and provide everything required to cook and serve your guests. Just book your party, and we’ll take care of the rest. It’s really that easy!
If you live in Central Michigan and are interested in Lansing paella catering services from Fire and Rice, call us today at (517) 803-0015 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing the ultimate paella catering experience with you and making your next party an event to remember! What’s special about Prince Edward Island? This beautiful province is on Canada’s East Coast and is separated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by the Northumberland Strait. Just a 10-minute drive across the Confederation Bridge from the mainland, PEI is known for its beautiful red beaches, red soil, rolling hills, and scenic farmland, offering some of the most stunning vistas in the world.  If you love the outdoors, nothing beats running, hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in Canada’s smallest province, and the warm water during the summer months is a delight! If swimming, parasailing, snorkeling, or seal watching piques your interest, it doesn’t get much better than PEI. The food scene is also magnificent. The ocean is full of fish and shellfish, and the farmland is rich with meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables. The abundance of fresh ingredients is an inspiration to local chefs who prepare their creations in quaint restaurants all over the island. PEI Mussels: The Perfect Addition to Naples’ Best Paella Catering Why is PEI so special to Fire & Rice? The mussels! The ocean climate and tidal patterns in PEI are optimal for raising mussels, making them highly sought after in the US. As far as nutritional value, PEI mussels are a rich source of protein and low in cholesterol, sodium, and fat. Consistently wonderful, their sweet flavor and plump, firm texture make the perfect addition to our award-winning paella in Naples.  The best time of year to visit PEI is from mid-July to mid-August, and Chef Paul takes a trip up to the island each summer to meet with his mussel vendor and look at sourcing options. As PEI mussels are a key ingredient in Fire & Rice’s seafood paella dishes, Chef Paul must source the best of the best. The investment of travel time as well as personally inspecting the mussels pays off when it comes to preparing paella year-round, particularly during the busy season. You’ll experience the delicious flavors and textures of PEI mussels first-hand when you enjoy our Mixta Paella, Paella de Marisco, or our event package.  Naples Paella Catering from Fire & Rice: The Ultimate Paella Experience When you see Fire & Rice at a party or event, you’ll know there’s fun to be had. We’re passionate about paella, and it shows! Our chefs enthusiastically prepare the paella in large pans right out in front for everyone to see, and the guests are drawn in as the excitement grows. As people gather around the pans, we encourage them to be part of the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants a turn!
Using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, we fuse the flavors of chicken and sausage, seafood, or combinations of both, with saffron and Bomba rice through a traditional preparation process, and the results are out of this world, like nothing you’ve encountered before. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted. If you’re interested in our unique Naples paella catering experience, call us at 239.269.8857 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing our paella with you! Twelve-mile beaches, numerous parks, and a vast array of recreational facilities make the Hilton Head area a beautiful and exciting place to visit and live year-round. From the Harbour Town Lighthouse and the Coastal Discovery Museum to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve and the Bluffton Seafood Festival, there’s always something interesting to see and do. Known for its fantastic Low Country cuisine and boasting more than 250 restaurants, the area also offers a flourishing cultural community. While dishes such as She-Crab soup, Hoppin’ John, and Shrimp and Grits are local favorites, more and more people are looking for diverse dining options.  While traditional Low Country fare is still found at the majority of local eateries, cultural cuisine is making its way into the area. And right at the forefront of this regional culinary shift is Fire & Rice Low Country, Hilton Head’s favorite paella catering! Diverse, Cultural Cuisine in Hilton Head, Beaumont, Bluffton, & Savannah from Fire & Rice Low Country: The Ultimate Paella Catering Experience! If you’re looking for a unique catering experience that’s fun and exciting, nothing beats award-winning paella from Fire & Rice Low Country. Whether you’re hosting a private party for 20 or an event for 200-plus, your guests will know they’re in for a treat from the moment they arrive.  At Fire & Rice Low Country, our chefs prepare award-winning paella right out in front for everyone to see. With large pans filled with a palette of primary colors and gentle aromas in the air, guests gather around and are encouraged to participate in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants to join in! Our award-winning paella is made from only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain. Using a traditional preparation process, we fuse chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice for gentle flavors and textures that are simply divine. Meat ingredients can be substituted or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available. With selections such as Mixta Paella, Paella Valencia, and Paella de Marisco, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  From special occasions and wine tastings to festivals and corporate events, the Hilton Head paella catering concept is catching on like wildfire and getting rave reviews. If you’re in Hilton Head, Beaumont, Bluffton, Savannah, or surrounding areas and are looking for a unique catering experience that guests will remember for years to come, call Fire & Rice Low Country paella catering at (843) 949-0089 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing our award-winning paella with you!
During our busy time of year, you’ll find Fire & Rice at the Naples’ farmers’ markets, local festivals and events, private parties, and on the PGA Tour. From November through the end of April, we typically cater 50-plus parties and events each month, so there’s a lot that we need to get in place during the slower months to prepare for the rush. As the demand for Naples paella catering grows, so does wear-and-tear on the equipment as well as the need to hire and train team members. Since it’s a little quieter here in Southwest Florida from May through October, we invest some time making sure that our food truck and catering equipment is in top condition and also focus on training and developing our staff.  Food Truck & Catering Equipment Maintenance is Critical During the Slower Months Before the in-season is upon us, it’s essential to inspect all equipment, make any repairs, and purchase any new equipment so that we can hit the ground running on the first of November. Once the crowds arrive in Naples, everything needs to be in top working order as our paella catering services will be in full swing. When it comes to equipment maintenance, we undergo an in-depth inspection of our commercial refrigerators to ensure that the gaskets, coils, and air filters are in good shape and free of debris. We also clean and test our burners for safety and efficiency to make sure they are functioning the way they should. Additionally, the food truck itself has to be detailed and inspected before the season starts, and all cookware, serving dishes, and utensils must be in pristine condition. And the list goes on!  Fire & Rice Meets Growing Demands for Paella in Naples Fire & Rice has been bringing award-winning paella to the people of Naples for more than a decade, and the interactive concept has caught on like wildfire. People love seeing our chefs prepare paella out in front for everyone to see while engaging the crowd in the process. It’s fun and exciting, something that people remember for years to come and want to share with their friends and families. As a result, we’ve seen an increased demand for our award-winning paella and catering services in the Naples area. With more parties and events on the books than ever before, there’s a need to expand our team over the coming months as we continue to grow. Look for new staff updates on our blog in the months to come!  While we’re busy getting ready for the in-season, you can still take advantage of our Naples’ paella catering services during the slower months. Just call us today at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to hearing from you!
Now that you see Fire & Rice food trucks in multiple locations around the country, do you ever wonder how they came to be? We thought it would be fun to give you an inside look at some of our locations and find out how the franchisees got into the paella catering food truck business. Nick Neveau, Fire & Rice Lansing and Fire & Rice Ann Arbor  After graduating from Central Michigan University with a major in communications and a minor in hospitality, Nick worked in the restaurant business for most of his career. In the restaurant world, Nick had done it all, from dishwasher to General manager to Director of Operations to Culinary Director. He also spent several years working for hospitality companies and opened fifteen restaurants in different cities around the country. With years of restaurant and hospitality experience under his belt, Nick was looking to take his career in a new direction and had always wanted to own a food truck. After learning about the Fire & Rice food truck franchise from a friend three years ago, Nick traveled down to the original Fire & Rice location in Naples to learn more. There, Nick spent some time with Chef Paul, founder of Fire & Rice, and was impressed with the concept, success, and scalability of the business. Now, as the proud owner of two Michigan locations, Nick has found his calling in the food truck business, working parties, events, and festivals throughout the region – and having a great time. Annabelle & Walter Johnson, Fire & Rice Low Country  Annabelle and Walter Johnson were living in the Naples area as retirees for several years. Annabelle is a potter, who was also a vendor at the Third Street Farmers’ Market, and Walter had been a Director in the IT business. The couple caught up with Chef Paul at the local Farmers’ Market in Naples, and with just one bite of his award-winning paella, they say they were sold on the paella catering concept! The Johnsons had always wanted to live near Hilton Head, South Carolina, and decided to come out of retirement and open up a Fire & Rice franchise in that area. After taking care of logistical matters, such as selling their Naples’ home, the Johnsons uprooted to Low Country, and a new Fire & Rice paella catering food truck franchise was born. Now, you can find them having the time of their lives catering paella parties, wine tastings, and festivals throughout the Hilton Head, Beaufort, and Bluffton area. Glenn Michael Tatangelo, Fire & Rice Fairfield  Glenn Michael had been in the restaurant business for many years and was looking for a unique opportunity to grow his career but wasn’t sure where to go. Although Glenn Michael lives in Connecticut, his father resides in Naples and is involved in the golf scene, and, while attending a party with an 18-holer crew, his father had the opportunity to experience award-winning paella from Fire & Rice in Naples. Not only was the paella amazing, the atmosphere was fun, exciting, and interactive. His father couldn’t say enough good things about the business! With Glenn Michael’s passion for the food industry and incredible people skills, his father was certain that he would be a great fit as a franchise owner. After learning more about the concept, seeing beautiful photos of the paella, and hearing his father’s rave reviews, Glenn Michael took a trip to Naples to learn more about the Fire & Rice franchise, and the rest is history! Now, Glenn Michael owns and operates the Fairfield location, catering parties, charity events, and more, bringing delicious paella, fun, and excitement wherever he goes. Fire & Rice: From Naples’ Food Truck to National Franchise, Paella Catering Makes its Mark As franchisees make their mark in multiple locations throughout the country, the paella concept continues to catch on like wildfire. By sharing award-winning paella in an interactive and exciting atmosphere, whether it’s at a party, festival, farmers’ market, wedding, or corporate event, people can’t wait to get in on the fun. If you’re interested in learning more about our franchise opportunities or our Naples’ food truck catering services, call (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re considering buying a franchise, you know it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the business model before making a commitment, but how do you know what to ask? As part of his business tips series, Chef Paul Schmidgall, founder of the booming Fire & Rice paella franchise, recommends asking seven crucial questions to determine whether or not a franchise is right for you.  To get some real-world answers to these seven essential questions as they pertain to Fire & Rice, we interviewed Nick Neveau, franchise owner of Fire & Rice in Lansing and Ann Arbor. Nick took the time to answer our questions and share his experience about taking on the Michigan locations. 7 Key Questions to Ask When Buying a Franchise1.) Is Your Franchise a Success?When buying a new franchise, you want to assess the success rates of the existing franchises. If they’re doing well, you can feel more confident knowing there is a process in place that works and will help you reach your financial goals. Make sure to find out the success rates of each franchise as well as any reasons why a franchise may have failed. For Nick Neveau of Fire & Rice in Lansing and Ann Arbor, the phone is ringing off the hook. When we talked to Nick at beginning of his third season, he said he just had eight voicemails over the weekend and that the business was growing just as he wanted it to. Nick said that a lot of his success is due to the training and support he gained from the franchisor, Chef Paul Schmidgall. Before getting his franchise up and running, Nick spent six weeks at Chef Paul’s Naples’ catering location learning the business.  Nick reported that Chef Paul’s communication with franchisees is second-to-none. Since Chef Paul has been running the original Fire & Rice location in Naples for more than a decade, he’s able to share what works when it comes to growing the business as well as what to avoid. Since Nick has worked with other franchise groups over the years, on the side of the franchisor, he can say without a doubt that Chef Paul’s level of support is phenomenal. 2.) What Has Been the Biggest Challenge to Overcome When Starting a Franchise Location?While there are challenges that are common to owning a new business, such as having enough capital to get started and putting in the overtime necessary to get things off the ground, it’s also important to understand the challenges that are specific to a given franchise. Determining these unique challenges upfront can give you the insight you need to make an informed decision as to whether the franchise is a good fit for your business goals. Nick said one of the challenges that he personally needed to overcome was doing something on his own that he’d never done before. While Nick had extensive experience in the restaurant business, he was new to the paella concept. He wondered, is paella too narrow of a focus? Is it enough to do one thing really well? After his first event, Nick quickly learned that what Fire & Rice does is very unique. By using the best ingredients in the world and sharing award-winning paella in an interactive, communal setting, people can’t wait to get in on the fun. It’s different from traditional catering fare, the concept is exciting, and people rave about it. The scalability of the business is also an advantage. Nick told us he could be hosting a party of 20 one night and an event for 400 the next, and the business is set up to make that work well. And it’s a great product – people absolutely love it.  To get the remaining five questions and answers, please call Fire & Rice paella catering in Naples at (239) 269-8857 or email paul@fireandrice.us. Award-Winning Paella in Naples Takes Off Around the Country Chef Paul brought the Fire & Rice paella catering concept to Southwest Florida more than ten years ago and it caught on like wildfire. Now you can enjoy his award-winning paella in Naples and multiple locations around the country. If you’d like to learn more about Fire & Rice franchise opportunities, go to our website or contact Chef Paul at (239) 269-8857 or email paul@fireandrice.us.
The June Highlight Reel: Chef Paul Heads to Fire & Rice Locations in Lansing & Ann Arbor Michigan6/28/2019 So many wonderful things to do and people to see in Michigan, and Fire & Rice of Lansing and Ann Arbor were right in the middle of it all, and so was Chef Paul! To see what Chef Paul and the Michigan Fire & Rice crew were up to over the past couple of weeks, check out the highlights below!  Nick Neveau, Chef Paul Wahlberg, & Chef Paul Schmidgall at the World's Largest Food Truck Rally at Detriot River Days Fire & Rice Founder, Chef Paul Schmidgall of Naples, FL, Helps Out with Paella Catering Events in Lansing & Ann Arbor, Michigan this June & Fun Was to Be Had by All! Chef Paul, the founder of the Fire & Rice paella catering franchise, packed up his Naples’ food truck and trailer and headed to Michigan to help out Lansing and Ann Arbor owner, Nick Neveau, during his busy time of year. After the 20-plus hour road trip, Chef Paul jumped right into Lansing and Ann Arbor’s jam-packed paella schedule. Here’s a rundown: Meijer Grand Taste Event at the Meijer PGA ClassicThursday, June 13 – Sunday, June 16 Blythefield Country Club  The Meijer Grand Taste event runs in conjunction with the Meijer PGA Classic at the beautiful Blythfield Country Club in Belmont, MI, where the best players in women’s golf come together to take part in a four-day, 72-hole stroke play competition. Known for having the best food experience on any tour, the Meijer Grand Taste was back by popular demand for the second year in a row. The most sought-after local restaurants, breweries, and food vendors from around the region were invited to participate in the prestigious event, and Fire & Rice was right there front-and-center, cooking up batches of their award-winning paella. Watching the preparation, you could see the Fire & Rice chefs pouring passion into the process and interacting with the crowd, who raved about the delicious food and unique paella experience all week long. It was fun and exciting, something golf fans will remember for years to come. Grand Rapids Food Truck FridaysRiverside Park Friday, June 14 To add to the excitement on June 14, later in the day, we also were right in the middle of the food truck action at the weekly Grand Rapids Food Truck Fridays. This year Food Truck Fridays will be running every Friday Night starting at 5 pm all summer long through October 4. Just come down to the event at Riverside Park, look for our paella food truck, and join in the fun! Summer Reading Kick-Off Party East Lansing Public Library Monday, June 17  MSU's Sparty helps out with the paella preparation at the East Lansing Library's Summer Reading Kick-Off Party Fire & Rice of Lansing was excited to be part of the fun at the Summer Reading Kick-Off Party at the East Lansing Public Library. Kids of all ages as well as adults enjoyed our award-winning paella in an exciting atmosphere and interactive environment along with a DJ Dance Party and an appearance by MSU’s Sparty! As you can see, Sparty loves our paella too! Ortonville Food Truck RallyOrtonvile, MI Thursday, June 20 After two days of food prep, we headed over to the Ortonville Food Truck Rally in none-other than Ortonville, MI. We were hard to miss as we prepared our paella in large shallow pans out in front for everyone to see and drew a crowd. People took turns participating in the preparation process, delighted in the communal dining setting, and said that our paella was the best they’d ever tasted. Fun was had by all! Detroit River Days & The World’s Largest Food Truck Rally West Riverfront Park Friday, June 21 – Sunday, June 23 This year River Days, Detroit’s one-of-a-kind festival in West Riverfront Park, partnered with the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally, which showcased 130 of the best local and national food trucks, providing endless tasty selections for patrons as they enjoyed land and water activities, such as live music, jet-ski demos, and sand sculptures. Of course, Fire & Rice was right out there doing what they do best, preparing their award-winning paella out in front for everyone to see and entertaining the crowd with their enthusiasm. The paella and atmosphere got rave reviews!
At the rally, Chef Paul Schmidgall and Nick Neveau caught up with Chef Paul Wahlberg, the primary and driving force behind the Wahlburgers franchise, who was there with his brothers showcasing their Detroit food truck. Wahlberg found the Fire & Rice concept interesting and thought the set up impressive and well thought out. Schmidgall and Neveau enjoyed the time Wahlberg spent at the Fire & Rice food truck and said Wahlberg was very nice and just a really great guy! If you’re looking for a unique catering alternative or food truck experience for your next party or event in Michigan, call the Lansing location at (517) 803-0015 or the Ann Arbor location at (734) 526-5111. If you’re in Southwest Florida and looking for Naples’ paella catering, call (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing the ultimate paella experience with you! If you’re a year-round resident of Naples, you know how difficult it is to go out and eat during the in-season. Now that the seasonal residents have headed elsewhere for summer months, you can finally enjoy everything that Naples has to offer without the crowds. At this time of year, you get your beach back, your bars back, and your paella back!  It’s the perfect time to focus on our own people and come together with friends and family. And what better way to bring people together than to than share in a unique catering experience that’s fun and exciting for everyone? At Fire & Rice, we offer award-winning paella in an interactive, communal setting that’s different than anything you’ve encountered before. Whether it’s a crowd of twenty or two hundred or more, your guests will relish in the ultimate paella experience and remember the occasion for years to come.  Naples Paella Catering from Fire & Rice is Delicious, Fun, Exciting, and Easy! People love our paella! Made from only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, we blend the flavors of chicken, sausage, and imported saffron together with Bomba rice for delicate flavors and textures that are simply divine. Meat ingredients can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s Mixta Paella, Paella Valencia, or Paella de Marisco, people rave about our paella, and the concept of Fire & Rice parties has spread like wildfire through Southwest Florida and beyond. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted.  What’s better than unique, award-winning food? Unique, award-winning food in a fun and exciting environment!
At Fire & Rice, we not only bring the food, we also bring the fun! We’re passionate about paella, and it shows, and from the moment your guests arrive, they’ll know they’re in for a treat. Our chefs enthusiastically prepare our sensual paella in large shallow pans out in front for everyone to see, and people are drawn in by the paella’s beautiful palette of colors and gentle aromas. As guests gather round, our chefs invite them to participate in the paella preparation. It’s fun and exciting, and people come together as part of the process in a warm and inviting atmosphere. And once they sit down to take their first bite, it exceeds all expectations. While guests are enjoying the food, fun, and excitement, so can the host! At Fire & Rice, we do everything possible to make hosting a Fire & Rice party as easy as possible. We arrive in our catering food truck with everything we need to prepare and serve your guests. You just book your party, and we take care of the rest. That’s really all there is to it! If you’re interested in a unique Naples paella catering experience that’s delicious, fun, exciting, and easy, call Fire & Rice at (239) 269-8857 or book your party online. We look forward to sharing the ultimate paella experience with you during the off-season! What’s the best thing about owning a Fire & Rice franchise? Chef Glen Michael, owner of the Fire & Rice in Fairfield, Connecticut, says, “It’s the people I get to meet and the stories I hear that make me happy. We get compliments all the time, and I love being a part of what Chef Paul [Schmidgall] has created.”  Chef Glen Michael’s father lives in the Naples area and tried Fire & Rice paella for the first time at an 18-holers golf crew party and instantly fell in love with the dish. He took pictures of the preparation process and paella combinations and shared them with Chef Glen Michael, who was immediately drawn in by the beauty of the paella. A year later, his father attended the same event and learned that franchise opportunities were available, and he shared this with his son. With many years in the restaurant business under his belt, Chef Glen Michael wanted to learn more and hopped on a plane to Naples to take in the experience first-hand. After experiencing the process and training extensively under Chef Paul, Fire & Rice Fairfield was born. Fairfield Paella Catering Gets Rave Reviews! Fire & Rice Fairfield is in its third year and is getting rave reviews for its unique and exciting paella catering services from Fairfield, CT to White Plains, NY and everywhere in between. From fundraisers for Save the Children, Band Central, and the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation to private parties, realtor open houses, farmers’ markets, and food truck festivals, the word is out about Fire & Rice Fairfield’s paella catering, and it’s catching on like wildfire.  Local celebrity Mar Jennings, the host of LIFE ON MARS, was so impressed with our paella catering that he wrote a blog about his experience, A Night with Fire & Rice. Jennings writes, “I gathered some of my favorite people all to experience the cuisine of Chef Glenn Michael, from Fairfield Fire & Rice. Who does not love a Seafood Paella? Especially when created right in front of your very eyes. Chef Glenn brings everything to set up and cook the delicious meal, making it truly a night to remember.”  If you’re interested in trying our award-winning paella yourself, come down and visit our Fairfield paella food truck at:
La Chat Farmers’ Market in Weston, CT June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, and October 25, 5pm-8pm Food Truck Fridays in Pound Ridge, NY August 16, September 20, and May 22, 5pm-9pm You’ll see our chefs preparing our magnificent paella with passion and enthusiasm in large, shallow pans out in front for everyone to see. As people are drawn to the beauty of the dish and its sensual aromas, we typically draw a crowd. We invite people to take part in the preparation process, and everyone wants to join in. It’s fun and exciting, something to remember for years to come. And when you taste our paella, it exceeds all expectations. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted. If you’re interested in our Fairfield paella catering services for your next party or event, call us at (203) 683-8135 or book your party online, and we’ll take care of the rest. It’s really that easy! Business Tips from Fire & Rice Founder, Paul Schmidgall: Getting Your Company Found Online6/19/2019 No matter how well your business is doing through word-of-mouth referrals, it’s critical to position your company so that it’s easily found online. The way word-of-mouth referrals work in this day and age is that someone refers your business to someone else, and while that person may remember the name of your company or what you do, they will eventually search Google for your contact information or to learn more.  When a potential customer does a Google search for your business, you absolutely need to be listed right there on page one. Anything less and that wonderful word-of-mouth referral could very well go to another company, either mistakenly or simply because that company is there and you’re not. How Fire & Rice - Naples Original Paella! Made Its Way to the Top of Online Search Results When establishing your business and setting yourself up for leads, you need to be found on page one of a Google search, preferably near the top. When searching online for a service or product, 33% of people click on the number one search result on Google. Another 62% of people click on one of the top three search results, and 95% of all clicks occur on page one. If you’re not there, you won’t get found online. It’s that simple.  Before Chef Paul started optimizing his website for SEO, he saw a trend he didn’t like. An owner of another local catering company had done some SEO, and when prospects contacted him, he pretended to be Fire & Rice! As outrageous as this is, customers booked their parties expecting Fire & Rice and were disappointed when someone else showed up. At this time, Chef Paul decided that top SEO placement was a key part of growing, as well as protecting, his business. While Chef Paul is a fantastic chef and entrepreneur, SEO is not his area of expertise. With a full plate running the Naples paella location and overseeing other franchises, he decided to leave his online presence to the digital marketing experts. Chef Paul was referred by a friend, who is also a local business owner, to 33social, a digital marketing agency that excels in getting clients found online. As the industry experts, 33social analyzes clients’ existing online presence, as well as their competitors, and develops a plan to reach each client’s digital marketing goals. Areas of expertise include SEO, online advertising, social media, video marketing, image marketing, and more. While working with his 33social consultant, Chef Paul learned that to gain placement in the organic ranks for his Naples’ paella catering services, he needed to build out his website in a way that was meaningful and valuable to Google. Google likes quality content (and lots of it), and as a website’s content ages, it becomes more and more valuable, pushing its placement up higher in the ranks. After working on SEO efforts with 33social, Fire & Rice – Naples Original Paella! is currently all over page one of Google – it’s hard to miss!  Another piece of the digital marketing equation is getting good reviews. Fire & Rice clients rave about their Naples paella catering experiences, but unless there are reviews that say so, it doesn’t matter to Google. With every positive review, your business, just like Fire & Rice, will become more valuable to Google, and your position will rank higher in the search results over time. Fire & Rice: Naples Paella Catering & Beyond For more than a decade, Fire & Rice – Naples’ Original Paella! has been bringing award-winning paella in a unique communal dining setting to Southwest Florida and getting rave reviews! Today, Fire & Rice franchises are sharing the fun and excitement of the ultimate paella experience across the country, and it’s catching on like wildfire.
If you’re interested in learning more about Fire & Rice franchise opportunities, call us at (239) 269-8857. We look forward to hearing from you! Fire & Rice Founder Hits the Road This Summer to Support Paella Franchises Across the Country5/31/2019 Fire & Rice - Naples’ Original Paella! has been going full steam ahead since November and is now wrapping up its busiest season. As things begin to wind down locally, Fire & Rice founder, Chef Paul Schmidgall, sets his sights on working with franchisees throughout the U.S. to build their brand identity and grow their business.  In June, Chef Paul will pack up his Fire & Rice food truck and trailer and hit the road, stopping at various locations across the country to offer guidance and support and also lend a helping hand. In June, he’ll spend two weeks in Michigan at the Lansing and Ann Arbor locations. Later in the season, he’ll head to Low Country, South Carolina, for the Bluffton Seafood Festival and then make his way up to the Fairfield, Connecticut location later in the fall. Taking Naples’ Paella Catering to a Booming National Franchise Starts with Leadership & Support Chef Paul launched the original Fire & Rice location in Naples more than a decade ago, and it caught on like wildfire. Starting at the local farmers’ markets in Naples and Marco Island, people got to see first-hand what the excitement was all about. The popularity of experiencing Fire & Rice’s award-winning paella in an exciting atmosphere spread throughout Southwest Florida, and soon enough people were hosting Fire & Rice parties and requests were coming in for area events, including the PGA Tour. Today, the Naples’ team books more than fifty parties and events each month from November through the end of April – business is booming!  After success at the Naples’ location, it was clear that his paella catering concept was a hit, and Chef Paul decided to expand Fire & Rice into territories across the U.S. With an MBA in International Business and having gone through the start-up process himself, he understands what it takes to get a new franchise off the ground and achieve success. For Chef Paul, the success of each franchise has always been a top priority, and he takes his leadership role very seriously. When a new franchisee comes on board, they spend four to six weeks at the original Naples’ paella location learning all aspects of the business. Since every territory is unique, each franchisee works with Chef Paul to navigate the opportunities and challenges in year one. Chef Paul then travels to franchise locations during the summer and early fall months, guiding and offering support.  Chef Paul is passionate about the paella catering business, and it shows. Whether you visit Fire & Rice in Naples or across the country, you’ll see chefs preparing award-winning paella out in front for everyone to see, creating an exciting atmosphere, and engaging the crowd. More than fabulous paella, Fire & Rice is a unique catering concept that allows people to come together and connect in a festive setting that delights all the senses.
If you’re interested in learning about Fire & Rice paella franchise opportunities in your area, contact Chef Paul Schmidgall at 239-269-8857 or visit the website. April showers bring May flowers and paella! Spring is here, and Fire & Rice of Fairfield has officially kicked off the paella season. The doors are open, and we’re ready to share our award-winning paella with you at the farmers’ market, private parties, and events.  Try Fairfield’s Award-Winning Paella from Fire & Rice at the Westport Farmers’ Market We love the farmers’ market! From May 23 to November 9, you can find us on Thursdays from 10-2 at the Westport Farmers’ Market on Imperial Avenue where people line up early to get the first batch of our magnificent paella and be part of the communal dining setting. Just come on down, look for our Fairfield food truck, and join in the fun. We hope to see you there! Fairfield Paella Catering Brings Unique Fare, Fun & Excitement to Private Parties & Events Looking for a unique alternative to your next catered affair? Host a Fire & Rice party! Fire & Rice of Fairfield offers delicious paella in an interactive setting that is exciting for everyone involved. Our unique twist on catering energizes any crowd, making your party or event an occasion that guests will remember for years to come.  Whenever you see Fire & Rice, you know there’s fun to be had. Whether you’re at a private party or local event, our chefs enthusiastically prepare our magnificent paella out in front for everyone to see. Using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th- Century Spain, we combine chicken, sausage, saffron, and Bomba rice in large shallow pans for divine textures and flavors that you’ve never encountered before. Meat can be swapped out or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. During the preparation, gentle aromas fill the air, and our passion for paella draws in the crowd. As everyone gathers around the pans, we encourage guests to join in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and people come together as they share in the experience!  When the paella is ready, we invite everyone up to the pans and serve them. The communal dining setting creates an atmosphere that is warm and inviting, and when guests sit down and take their first bite, it exceeds all expectations.
Whether it’s Mixta Paella, Paella Valencia, or Paella de Marisco, guests will delight in this amazing dish. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say that our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted. At Fire & Rice, we make hosting a party as easy as possible by bringing everything we need to prepare and serve your guests. You just book your party, and we’ll take care of the rest! It’s really that simple. If you’d like to learn more about our fun and exciting Fairfield paella catering services, call Fire & Rice today at 203-683-8135 or book your party online. We look forward to hearing from you and helping make your party an event to remember for years to come!  You love to entertain and would really like to mix things up for your next party, but you’re tired of the same old catering fare you see at every occasion. After all, how many stuffed mushroom caps can one person eat? You want something new and exciting, something guests will remember for years to come, but what else is out there? If you’re looking for a unique catering alternative that guests will rave about, Fire & Rice Low Country offers award-winning paella in a communal dining setting that’s fun and exciting. More than fabulous food, a Fire & Rice party is the ultimate paella experience, bringing people together in a festive atmosphere and touching all the senses.  The Ultimate Paella Catering Experience in Hilton Head, Beaufort, Bluffton, Savannah & Beyond Fire & Rice is passionate about paella, and from the moment your guests arrive, they’ll know they’re in for a unique experience. Our chefs enthusiastically prepare our magnificent paella out in front for everyone to see, and as people mix and mingle, they are drawn to the large shallow pans filled with a palette of primary colors. As gentle aromas fill the air, guests gather around and are encouraged to participate in the preparation process. It’s fun and exciting, and everyone wants to join in! Using only the finest ingredients dating back to 16th-Century Spain, we fuse chicken, sausage, and saffron with Bomba rice, creating exquisite flavors and gentle textures that are like nothing you’ve ever encountered before. The meat can be substituted or combined with seafood, and vegan options are also available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s Mixta Paella, Paella Valencia, or Paella de Marisco, there is beauty and magnificence in every dish that delights all the senses.  When the paella is ready, your guests will come together in a communal dining setting that is warm and inviting. Paella is a dish that is meant for sharing, and as people gather together to take their first bite of paella, it exceeds every expectation. Many of our clients have traveled all over the world and say our paella is the best they’ve ever tasted.
If you’d like to host a Fire & Rice party, we make it as easy as possible for you. We arrive in our catering food truck about an hour in advance with everything we need to prepare and serve your guests. All you have to do is book your party, and we take care of the rest. It’s that easy! If you’d like to learn more about our paella catering services in Hilton Head, Beaufort, Bluffton, Savannah, and surrounding areas, call us today at 843-949-0089 or book your party online. And if you’ve never tried our award-winning paella, head down to the Hilton Head Farmers’ Market at the Honey Horn Plantation on Tuesdays from 9am-1pm or the Bluffton Farmers’ Market on Thursdays from 1pm-6pm to join in the fun. We look forward to seeing you there! Chef Paul Schmidgall, the founder of the Fire & Rice paella catering franchise, remembers what it was like when he first opened the doors of his Naples food truck more than a decade ago and the challenges that went along with being a new business owner. With an MBA in International Business and a degree from the College of Culinary Arts at Johnston & Wales University, Chef Paul is reaching out to small business owners, particularly in the food industry, to share some helpful tips for growth during the first two years. Beating the Cash Flow Challenge One of the biggest challenges of starting a new business, according to Chef Paul, is cash flow. When you’re just starting out, you’re likely in a lower tax bracket, and you want to take advantage of that situation. During your first year, you need to invest in your business, but you also need to set enough money aside for taxes throughout the year. No one wants to be blindsided on April 15th, so it’s critical to plan ahead. Chef Paul recommends creating a new tax bank account and setting aside 31% of your income over the year, 6% for sales tax (in Florida) and 25% for federal taxes. This allows you to stay on track through your first year of business and avoid being stuck with a big tax bill in April. If you choose to continue implementing this strategy beyond into your second year of business, you’ll likely end up with a surplus as your profits grow. That’s when you can determine other ways to invest and grow your business even more, which is a good position to be in at the end of year two.  From Naples Food Truck to National Franchise Creating a tax bank account allowed Chef Paul to focus on creating and investing in new ways to grow his business. What started out as a Naples’ food truck expanded into a full-service catering company and is now a national paella franchise. By planning ahead and investing in your business the right way, you can create your own vision for growth and make it a reality.
If you’re interested in learning more about Fire & Rice paella franchise opportunities or Chef Paul’s journey, call Fire & Rice – Naples Original Paella! at 239-269-8857. We look forward to hearing from you! |
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