Black pearl with calamari and prawns. Seafood with shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams. Chicken and chorizo.
These are just a few of the flavors you’ll find at Santi’s Paella, which opened for business last year.
“The inspiration came from my Spanish roots and my passion for sharing authentic paella with people,” explains chef and business owner Santiago Garamendy. “We wanted to bring the experience of live paella cooking to Hawaiʻi, while incorporating the Aloha spirit and creating something that people could enjoy at farmers markets, festivals, private events and weddings.”
When coming up with a business name, Garamendy wanted something simple yet personal.
“We wanted a name that felt approachable, authentic and easy to remember,” he says.
The biz currently pops up at farmers markets and events across Oʻahu. Regardless of the event, the business is known for cooking its paella in real-time.
“We cook everything fresh on-site, allowing guests to experience the entire process from start to finish,” Garamendy says. “Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a corporate event, our team is fully equipped to prepare and serve paella for up to 1,200 guests at the same time.”
The business’s seafood paella ($19) and black pearl paella ($19) are its bestsellers, according to Garamendy.
“The black pearl paella is our signature dish,” he says. “It’s black squid ink rice with calamari and prawns, served with housemade aioli.”
The business’s Hawaiian paella ($19) is a local-inspired version with pork, bacon and pineapple. Meanwhile, the veggie paella ($15) is a colorful option with asparagus, carrots, green beans, mushrooms and peas.
The biz also offers fried seafood cones, which all come with fries, according to Garamendy. Customers can choose from Santi’s cone ($17) — a mix of calamari, prawns and smelt — calamari cone ($14), prawns cone ($13) and more.
Santi’s Paella currently pops up from 8 a.m. to noon at the FarmLovers Kakaʻako farmers market on Saturdays and the Kailua farmers markets on Sundays. The biz is also a vendor at the Waikīkī Makers Market from 4 to 8 p.m. on Mondays at Waikīkī Beach Walk.
Santi’s Paella also offers catering for private events and celebrations, according to Garamendy.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the Hawaiʻi community,” Garamendy says. “Our goal is not only to serve great food, but also to create an experience that brings people together. Whether it’s a farmers market, festival, wedding or private event, we want every guest to leave with a smile and memorable experience.”
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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