The June Highlight Reel: Chef Paul Heads to Fire & Rice Locations in Lansing & Ann Arbor Michigan

​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 Classic 

​Thursday, 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 Fridays 

​Riverside 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 Rally

​Ortonvile, 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!