Barcelona: Paella & Tapas Cooking Class with Wine Tasting

Summary

Barcelona food class making paella tapas and dessert together

You’ll cook classic Spanish dishes side by side with a local chef in Barcelona — from rubbing tomatoes onto crusty bread for tapas to stirring fragrant paella as it sizzles. Enjoy wine while you learn, swap stories at the table over dessert, and leave with recipes (and maybe garlic-scented hands). It’s casual, warm, and surprisingly fun.

What’s the experience like?

I signed up for this Barcelona cooking class mostly out of curiosity — I mean, how hard could it be to make paella? Turns out, there’s a lot more to it than just tossing rice in a pan. The kitchen at Cook&Taste was already buzzing when I arrived, people from all over chatting quietly over glasses of local wine. Our chef, Marta (who somehow managed to be both patient and hilarious), handed me an apron and grinned like she knew exactly how lost I’d be chopping onions. She showed us how to rub tomato on bread for the first tapa — my hands smelled like garlic for hours after, but honestly, I didn’t mind.

We took turns stirring the paella — seafood today, though Marta said sometimes it’s chicken or vegetarian depending on who’s there. She explained every step in this gentle mix of Spanish and English, throwing in stories about her grandmother’s kitchen. At one point she let me taste the broth right off the wooden spoon (hot! but so good). There was a moment when everyone went quiet just listening to the rice crackle against the pan. I still think about that sound sometimes.

By the time we sat down together around the long table to eat what we’d made — two kinds of tapas, our paella, and some creamy flan for dessert — it felt less like a class and more like a little family meal. Someone tried to say “buen provecho” and totally butchered it; Marta just laughed and poured another splash of wine. They gave us printed recipes to take home but honestly, I’m not sure mine will ever taste quite like that day in Barcelona.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Authentic Spanish cooking class

• Join Cook&Taste culinary experience
• Prepare two seasonal tapas starters
• Cook traditional paella main dish
• Enjoy traditional Spanish dessert
• Share recipes and notes

Top questions

Is this Barcelona cooking class suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Yes, vegan options are available upon request and menus can be adjusted for dietary needs.

Does the class include alcoholic beverages?

Yes, wine is served during the cooking lesson and meal.

How many courses do we prepare in this Barcelona paella class?

You’ll make two seasonal tapas as starters, a main dish of paella (type varies), and a traditional Spanish dessert.

Are printed recipes provided after the cooking class?

Yes, you’ll receive printed recipes so you can try making everything again at home.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible; transportation options are also accessible.

Can children join this Barcelona culinary experience?

Infants and small children are welcome; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Where does this Barcelona cooking class take place?

The cooking experience is held at Cook&Taste in central Barcelona.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for two seasonal tapas starters, your choice of seafood, chicken or vegetarian paella depending on group preferences or dietary needs (vegan option possible), a traditional Spanish dessert to finish off the meal, plenty of local wine throughout the lesson and lunch itself. Printed recipes come with you so you can recreate everything back home; wheelchair access is fully supported too.