Taste of Spain: from Paella to Pintxos Weekend Cooking Class
Spaniards really know how to live it up when it comes to food. Starting with bite-sized tapas and fabulous wine leisurely shared among friends in the evening before dinner, this custom is the perfect way to unwind and whet the appetite! Follow that with a show-stopping paella and you'll understand how eating in Spain is not just a social affair, it's a celebration of life.
During this two day cooking marathon, we will make plenty of tapas, but I'm equally excited to share some of my favorite recipes for pinxtos, the bite-size skewers threaded with all kinds of goodies that you find in bars all over Northern Spain! And since I just came back from cooking paella with my friends in Spain, I thought it would be fun to share their tips for creating a perfect paella. I was seriously blown away by how a few key steps makes the process so simple.
Our two-day weekend workshop will include hands-on cooking classes in the kitchen studio (the same one you see on my TV show!) where you’ll learn to make some of my favorite Spanish recipes like the most over-the-top “pasta” dish called Fideus with Garlic Prawns and Creamy Allioli, and Pinxtos, the skewers threaded with all kinds of goodies like the ones you’ll find in bars in Northern Spain. Then we’ll head outside to create Paella with Chicken and Chorizo on a traditional paella burner, just like they do in Spain! Being a potato lover, we have to make a personal favorite, Patatas Bravas with Spicy Tomato Sauce and for dessert, my new go to Orange and Almond Cake with Caramel Ice Cream. And that’s just the beginning!
Lots of surprises are in store, so if you’re ready to cook up amazing small plates, make paella like a pro, mix up a seasonal sangria and savor the flavors of this beautiful part of the world, join me in San Francisco as we take a virtual journey to Spain together!
Each hands-on cooking class will feature recipes from my travels throughout Spain and highlight seasonal ingredients and lots of cooking techniques. After reviewing the recipes together, students will divide into teams to work on recipes together. When we’re finished cooking each day, we'll sit down in the dining room and enjoy hand-selected Spanish and California wines to pair with each of the dishes we've prepared.
Your class will take place in the centrally located Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. After cooking during the day, you will still have plenty of time to enjoy San Francisco and all of its wonderful sights. We are happy to provide a list of nearby hotels and bed & breakfasts to choose from for your stay, just note that it's quite easy to get around in San Francisco on foot, or by taxi, Uber, or public transportation, so where you choose to stay depends on what you might want to see and do after class each day.
Classes begin at 10:00 AM and finish at approximately 3:00 PM. Classes are limited to 10 students to ensure that everyone gets personal attention. We recommend wearing closed-toe, rubber-soled shoes and comfortable clothes for the cooking classes.
This weekend course costs $900.00 per person. The cost includes hands-on cooking instruction, copies of all recipes, an apron, and a multi-course lunch each class day complete with a cocktail and wine pairings. Full payment for the course must be included with your completed reservation form to secure your reservation. Due to limited availability we cannot provide refunds for cancellations.
*Note: Course fee does not include accommodations or transportation to the cooking school location.
