Why is paella important?

The paella is Spain's favourite dish. It encompasses all that is Spanish . . . the colour, passion, variety and social warmth of the people. Originally a poor man's dish, the paella has worldwide fame with each region, town, village and even household creating their own versions of this gastronomic phenomenon. There are many paella competitions all over Spain ranging from the biggest to the best tasting and each region has its own dedicated 'Paella Day' in Barcelona it is a Thursday and here in Andalucia it is a Friday although traditionally it was Spain's very own Sunday lunch.