In the fall of 2004, Slow Food Chicago member Laura Díaz, a native from Valencia, Spain helped us prepare an authentic paella dinner, at the inspirational location of The City Farm. As dusk settled over the crops, evening clouds mingled with smoke from the wood fire, and the city lights began to twinkle through the haze. All the parts of the paella slowly came together into a delicious, unified whole, as did our group. All the flavors of  tapas, wine, conversation, and a magical setting were married that evening in the outdoor kitchen of the City Farm.