Learn Paella from a Haute Cuisine Chef in Estepona

Cook paella the way Andalusian grandmothers did, with seafood from the local fish market and herbs from the garden.

A four-hour cooking class at a family farm in Estepona where you make traditional Andalusian paella from scratch under the instruction of María José, a Haute Cuisine Chef trained at the Culinary Institute of Barcelona. You learn the step-by-step technique and the history behind the recipe, then taste your paella alongside local starters, sangria, and dessert. The class adapts to vegetarian and dietary restrictions.

The experience

You arrive at the farm with views of the Mediterranean and the Sierra Bermeja mountains as the backdrop. María José welcomes you with sangria made from local wine and citrus from the orchard, then walks you through the estate while explaining the stories of the farmers in the area. This is not a demonstration you watch from a distance. You participate in preparing the paella itself, working with fresh seafood from the local fish market, mountain game, and vegetables from the garden, the same sources the grandmothers used when they bartered with fishermen, ranchers and hunters decades ago.

As you cook, you taste through a spread of local appetizers: steamed mussels, fresh and cured cheeses, olives, Iberian ham and sausages, and artisan breads. María José walks you through each step of the traditional recipe and its history while you eat and drink at your own pace. The paella comes in seafood, meat, or vegetarian versions depending on what you choose. After the main course, you share Colombian coffee with a traditional pastry, and you leave with a recipe book so you can recreate the dish at home.

The class runs four hours and includes all drinks: sangria, wine, beer, non-alcoholic refreshments, and water from the farm's deep well. Vegetarian options and adaptations for allergies and dietary restrictions are available. Let the operator know when you book.

What’s included

• Practical instruction in preparing traditional Andalusian paella.
• sangria made with local wine and citrus from the orchard.
• local appetizers including steamed mussels, cheeses, olives, Iberian ham and sausages, and artisan breads.
• your choice of seafood, meat, or vegetarian paella made with fresh ingredients from the fish market, mountains, and garden.
• Colombian coffee with traditional pastry.
• all drinks including wine, beer, non-alcoholic refreshments, and mineral water.
• a recipe book to take home.
• a tour of the farm with views of the Mediterranean and Sierra Bermeja.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and SaturdayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (10 to 16 years) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Farm Las Marías

Is this one for you?You participate hands-on in making the paella rather than watching a demonstration, so you leave with the technique and confidence to cook it yourself. This suits anyone who wants to learn an actual skill and understand the story behind a traditional dish, not just taste it.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 16 years); Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I make during the class?

You prepare a traditional Andalusian paella from scratch, choosing between seafood, meat, or vegetarian versions. María José guides you through the step-by-step technique and explains the history of the recipe as you cook with fresh ingredients sourced from the local fish market, the mountains, and the farm's garden.

Is this a hands-on cooking class or a demonstration I watch?

You participate in preparing the paella yourself. María José instructs you through each stage, but you are doing the cooking, not observing from the side.

What's included in the four hours besides the paella?

The class includes a tour of the farm, sangria on arrival, local appetizers (mussels, cheeses, olives, Iberian ham and sausages, artisan breads), the paella you cook, a traditional dessert, Colombian coffee with pastry, and all drinks: wine, beer, non-alcoholic options, and mineral water from the farm's well. You also receive a recipe book.

Can you accommodate vegetarian or dietary restrictions?

Yes. Vegetarian paella is available, and the operator adapts to any dietary restriction or allergy you inform them of when you book.

Who is teaching the class?

María José, known as La María, is a Haute Cuisine Chef trained at the Culinary Institute of Barcelona. She leads the class herself and draws on her Andalusian roots and family traditions to teach the grandmother's recipes.