You are here to take in all of the sights, learn about Madrid, and you will definitely get to all of that. But, if you are a foodie like me, then want to tell you about a few of the Paella cooking classes in Madrid.
If you’re a food enthusiast and have tried an authentic Paella before, you know how good it is. So whilst in Madrid, you can’t miss the opportunity to learn how to cook paella, Spain’s most iconic dish.
In this blog post, I’ll give you my opinion on some good Paella cooking classes in Madrid. But not only for the food and learning how to make a great Paella, but taking into account the overall experience.
In case you don’t have time to read the whole article, or in a rush ill give you a quick list:
My Favorite Paella Cooking Classes in Madrid
The Art of Paella: Why Take a Cooking Class in Madrid?
Before diving into the best paella cooking classes in Madrid, let me tell you why it’s worth investing your time and money in this experience. Paella isn’t just a dish; it’s a cultural symbol of Spain. Going to a paella cooking class, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the history, ingredients, and cooking techniques behind this beloved Spanish staple.
Learning from expert chefs in Madrid to cook a good Paella is invaluable when you are back at home and want to cook it for your family and friends. But you also have the option to go to the home of a local and see first hand how it is cooked in the average household.
Even if you are not the biggest fan of cooking, you will have a great night out with all the new people you will meet. There are people from all over the world, and locals who just want to learn to cook a better Paella. So without me going on too much, let me get into it.
1. Cook Paella in Madrid at Home With A Local
Duration: 2.30
In a small group of ten people, you meet up in Calle Hortaleza in the center of Madrid, then on to the house of a Local who will show you how to make a traditional Spanish Paella.
I’ve lived here for nearly 10 years, and there is a big difference between a Paella that has been cooked in a rush, and one that has had time and attention put into it. Not that restaurants are bad, there are really good Paella restaurants in Madrid in fact, but nothing beats a home made Paella.
Drinks are included in the class, and you get to have your choice of beer, wine, sangria, loosen up and have some fun conversation. It’s a really cool experience, to take a cooking class in the home of someone, but you get to see all the tips and tricks everyday people use to make the perfect Paella.
You can learn to make a Paella from a cook-book, or a couple of videos. But, no amount of research is going give you a first hand experience of what a real Paella tastes like. When you go back home and make one for the kids, you know what it should taste like now, so you through a little trial and error, you can recreate what you already know.
A great way to spend a few hours in Madrid, and meet some cool people too.
2. Small Group Cooking Class of Tapas and Paella in Madrid
Duration: 3.30 hours
So this one is a little pricier, but the menu is also more extensive. If you were looking for a tapas cooking class in Madrid but also like Paella, you get that all with this one.
It is hosted in a local professional chefs studio, I absolutely want her kitchen. Everything is immaculately clean, and the island with the giant hood above is my dream, I digress.
In the three and a half hours, you will learn to cook 4 types of dishes. There will be two Tapas like ham croquettes, Russian salad or whatever the chef chooses on the day.
Then you get to the main, where you get to cook a delicious Paella using all the local techniques perfected for so many years. And as a bonus, you also get to prepare a cod dish also.
It really is a great activity to do with friends or family. It´s also a skill you will always have, so well worth the investment.
3. Paella cooking Classes in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing!
Duration: 3.00 hours
Ok don’t judge me, but I went to this one for the obvious. But the fun part is meeting all the other fun people. It’s more like a social event, a night out with good company there for the same reason.
Food is something we all have in common, we all have to eat so it’s easy to get comfortable with a group of people already knowing you have something in common. Many people go in pairs, but you can also go on your own, you never know, you might meet someone special.
All the ingredients are pre-prepared and your station is set up, very professional. And after you have learnt to cook a traditional paella, you all sit together, a lot of conversation and laughter from the 3-4 different wines you have already tried and dig in.
Apart from he Paella you cook, the chef also prepares a couple different types of tapas, and a desert, actually two desserts but who’s counting calories tonight.
If you go, have a great time, and I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments.
A short History of Paella
Paella famously has it’s roots in the agricultural traditions of Valencia. Farmers would gather around a fire, and on the well know wide shallow pan cook up a Paella right there in the field. The word “paella” actually refers to the round, shallow pan used to cook the dish.
Originally, paella was a humble and practical meal prepared by the lower class with ingredients such as rice, vegetables, and whatever meat or seafood was cheap. Over time, as the dish gained popularity, various regional variations emerged.
The most renowned types are Valencian paella (featuring rabbit, chicken, and snails) and seafood paella (highlighting an abundance of fresh seafood).
Nowadays Paella is known around the world. But don’t go buying none of that frozen stuff. Better to try and make one yourself than give yourself that experience.
Interesting Facts about Paella
The pan makes the dish: The unique wide and shallow pan, also known as a paellera, is an essential element of paella cooking. The shape allows the rice to cook evenly and develop a delicious crispy layer on the bottom, known as socarrat. I’ve seen many a fork go to war to scrape at this!
Saffron, the golden touch: Saffron is a key ingredient in traditional paella recipes, It’s what gives Paella the distinct yellow coloring. If someone tells you to use food coloring, that is not a Paella.
A family affair: Paella is often prepared and enjoyed as a communal meal, bringing family and friends together. It is not uncommon to find large paella pans being cooked outdoors during gatherings or festivals. I had a Paella in Asturias once, the pan was the size of a snooker table !
Variety: While Valencian and seafood paella are the most well-known variations, there are a lot of variations to a Paella, including vegetarian, mixed meat and seafood, black paella (colored with squid ink), and even dessert paellas (never tried one of these).
And a couple stranger facts about Paella
World’s largest paella: Spain holds the record for cooking the largest paella in the world. In 2001, a giant paella weighing over 6 tons was prepared in the city of Alcoy, Valencia, to celebrate a local festival.
Paella in space: In 2015, Spanish astronaut Pedro Duque brought a vacuum-sealed pouch of paella aboard the International Space Station, making it the first rice dish to be eaten in space.
Conclusion:
Going to one of these Paella cooking classes in Madrid cooking gives you a few different experiences in one. You get to learn about Spanish culture firsthand if you choose to go to a local, meet some new friend, have a few drinks and a great meal at the end of it.
There really isn’t much downside to having this much fun in just a few hours. Have a great time in Madrid and let me know of any cool experiences I might not have tried yet.