Wikipaella is an online platform on a mission to save Valencia’s signature dish from being bastardized and lost in translation.
A proper paella isn’t meant to be a seafood showcase. It’s traditional proteins have been chicken and rabbit. It’s actually meant to be more of a presentation of the rice and saffron, highlights of regional trade, rather than all the fixins. And the Wikipaella editors aren’t afraid to take shots at the likes of Jamie Oliver for his inclusion of chorizo. “Imagine if we said that we were making typical British fish and chips and we were putting oranges in it?”
Are they cops? Yes. Cops of cuisine. Are they gatekeeping? Proudly. It’s impressive and intimidating all at once. There are as many things to argue about regarding paella as there are ways to make the dish.