Paella Cooking Class

The majority of travellers who come to Spain have one thing on their mind when it comes to food: they can’t wait to stuff their faces with the country’s legendary rice dish, the paella. Well, during this fun culinary activity you get to go one better… you learn how to make the paella for yourself.

Let’s take a close look at the Paella Cooking Experience, plus four more similar activities (including private classes), for travellers who want to get in the kitchen!

1. The Paella Cooking Experience

The best-selling experience starts with a guided tour of Barcelona’s world-famous food market, La Boqueria. Here you will get to see the vibrant bazaar in action, with its colourful food stalls that sell wriggling fresh seafood, nuts, cheeses, fruits, conserves and every cut of meat known to man. Once you’ve bought all the ingredients you need it’s time to head back to the kitchen…

Here in a modern cooking facility, it’s time to don your apron and get your hands dirty as your instructor gets you involved in the preparation process. As you prepare the paella (classic seafood, plus a vegetarian version for vegetarians), your bilingual native chef will explain the secrets of this historic dish, whose origins began not far from here, in the wetlands surrounding Valencia.

All this dicing and splicing is hungry (and thirsty) work, and so you’ll also be taught how to prepare some of Spain’s favourite tapas dishes, as well as how to mix a refreshing jug of sangria, making this a three-in-one culinary experience. And of course, once they are ready, you get to enjoy tasting all three.

When?

The Paella Cooking Class runs three times a day: at 1pm, 4pm and 6:45pm, every single day. The activity lasts around 2.5 or 3 hours.

Price

This experience is one of the best value for money activities in Barcelona at just €69 per head. The price includes the market tour and cost of the ingredients, the chef, and drinks, and it’s a great activity to do instead of lunch or dinner (when you would likely spend about the same amount!).

Reservations

Either book online (see below), or if you prefer email us on info@barcelona-life.com, and we will get back to you ASAP. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for.

ONLINE RESERVATIONS: If you want to reserve the Paella Class at the last minute, or prefer not to wait for an email, then you can book the activity on Get Your Guide.

2. Small-Group Paella Cooking Class

For a more in-depth class where you prepare a delicious paella as part of a full four-course meal, accompanied by artisan Catalan wine, check out our recommended Spanish Cooking Classes.

The advantage of this experience is that it takes place in a class of maximum 12 other participants and you’ll be involved in every stage of the meal preparation. A great option for those who love cooking at home, and want to master Spanish cuisine!

When?

Choose between the morning class at 10am that includes a visit to La Boqueria market to shop for ingredients and costs €88 per person, and the evening class at 6pm that costs €75 per person (but doesn’t include market visit).

Neither morning nor evening class takes place on Sundays, while the morning class is not available on Weds and the evening not on Saturday.

Reservations

Reservations are by email, so just write to us on info@barcelona-life.com with your group size and preferred dates.

Private Paella Classes

If you don’t fancy signing up for a public experience, we can also help organise paella classes for private groups. It’s a great bonding experience for work colleagues looking for original team building ideas; or else for families, groups of friends, or girls on a hen do who might prefer a private experience .

3. Private Paella Cooking Experience

You can book the Paella Cooking Experience (as described above) for private groups, such as hen or bachelorette parties, or groups of friends for €69 per person. The only requisite is that you need 10 or more people, while the kitchen fits a maximum of 30 people. (If your group is larger than 30, email us as we know some other kitchens!).

Just email us on info@barcelona-life.com to get availability.

4. Private Paella Class w/Wine Tasting

Barcelona Life can also help organise a private class with Spanish wine tasting from just €79 per person in an intimate bodega-kitchen. Your host for this activity is a graduate of the legendary Hoffman culinary school who can teach you how to make your choice of four different types of paella: Valencian (the original paella, made with chicken and pork); Marisco (the one most tourists are familiar with, made with seafood); Mar i Muntanya (made with ingredients from both ‘sea and mountain’, i.e. chicken, pork and seafood); and vegan, made with zero animal products.

Your host is also a sommelier with expertise in Spanish and Catalan wines and your rice dish will be paired with fantastic wines from the local Priorat and Penedes regions.

The activity is available for groups of 2-15 people. Prices start at €79 per person for 4-15 people and €99 p.p. for 2 or 3 people.

Just email us with your preferred dates on info@barcelona-life.com and we’ll get back within 24 hours.

5. Private Paella Class w/Cava Sabrage

Put a unique spin on your exploits in the kitchen by combining your cooking class with a lesson in Cava sabrage. In case you’re wondering, Cava sabrage is the art of opening a bottle of Champagne with a sword, a popular feat in the days of when Napoleonic troops marauded around Europe on horseback.

The activity takes place in the same bodega-kitchen as the paella and wine tasting activity (above), and is available for groups of 2-15 people. Prices are €99 per person for groups of 4-15 people, rising to €119 p.p. for 2-3 people.

More info and photos here.

Just email us with your preferred dates on info@barcelona-life.com and we’ll get back within 24 hours.