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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Jose

Valencia, Spain

USD
$88-$100 per person

Authentic Spanish Cooking Class in Valencia with a Local Chef

Host offerings
  • Apartment
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Jose

Jose is a passionate, native Valencian chef with over a decade of experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Valencia. After exploring cuisines from around the world he is excited to get back to his roots to share the culinary traditions of his hometown Valencia. His favorite dish to cook is rice - the Arabs brought rice to Valencia centuries ago and Jose is excited to the share different ways that Valencians have adapted rice into their cuisine. Paella is typically eaten with friends and family on Sundays but Jose believes everyday is a Sunday and is excited to share with you how to cook a traditional Valencia paella if your experience is during the day. Most importantly, Jose's goal is to create unforgettable gastronomic experiences that evoke emotions and leave a lasting impression. Jose is looking forward to learning about other people's cultures and teaching his guests how to cook and enjoy traditional Valencian cuisine while sharing culinary tips and techniques.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-5 guests) Meet your host Jose, a local, Michelin-star trained chef at the entrance to the IVAM Museum. During your 10-minute walk to his home, enjoy a guided tour of Valencia's old town, the Turia river and Jose's neighborhood. Walk up to Jose's second-floor apartment and immerse yourself in a Valencian culinary experience in José's kitchen. Begin your culinary adventure by taking either a traditional vermouth, a Valencian beer, or a soft drink, and accompanying it with a Gilda spherification, an innovative molecular gastronomy technique! Next, craft a unique and refreshing sangria with Jose. After, delve into the world of rice and paella (its history, culture, and tradition), learning the secrets and tricks that will not only help you master paella but also cook any rice dish you desire at home. Paella is typically eaten with friends and family on Sundays in Valencia - Jose believes that every day is a Sunday and is excited to share with you how to cook a traditional Valencian paella (a delicious combination of rice and meat)! He also offers three other traditional paella options to choose from instead of a Valenican paella - vegetarian paella, seafood paella, and paella with duck, asparagus, and mushrooms. Let Jose know when making your booking if you prefer one of these alternatives. While your paella cooks, skewer a pintxo such as the humble gilda (briny olives with pickled peppers and anchovies) and learn to make two tapas from scratch. After cooking, enjoy the meal you helped prepare with Jose at the dining table. Your meal concludes with a creamy mousse for dessert as well as cremaet, considered a Valencian must-try for coffee lovers! Leave with delicious memories and personal recipe book created by Jose with a selection of paellas, tapas, and typical drinks from Valencia and Spain. Jose can accommodate dietary restrictions including vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free; please include your dietary preferences when creating your booking.

Notes: Sangria or beer or wine or soft drinks are included in the price of your experience.

If you've had enough paella and would like to try another Valencian favorite for lunch, please let Jose know ahead of time and you will learn to cook arroz al horno (another lesser-known Valencian delight, rice cooked in the oven with pork ribs, sausages, potatoes, and tomatoes) instead or arros negre (black rice) with seafood and squid ink.

For groups of 2-3, please book a lunch time experience, as dinner time experiences are available for groups of 4+.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Sangria or Agua de Valencia
  • Choose 2 of 4 tapas: Galician-style octopus, Salmorejo with tuna belly, Iberian ham pintxo or corn toast with smoked sardines, cream cheese, and basil
  • Traditional Valencian paella (meat based), arroz del senyoret (seafood paella), vegetarian paella (with seasonal vegetables) or duck, mushroom, and asparagus paella
  • Dessert of Horchata de Chufa Mousse topped with a Valencian pastry
  • Cremaet, Valencian style rum and cinnamon infused coffee
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Jose's passion for Valencian cuisine is simply wonderful! It is a unique opportunity to learn to cook from a fun and native Valencian trained at the Michelin-starred restaurant El Poblet in Valencia.

AV, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (14)
This was the highlight of our trip to Spain! Jose is an amazing cook teacher and historian of Valencia culture . The food was soo yummy we got to learn how to make and participate in his awesome apartment . It was cozy fun and edu ! Hit all the marks and more!!!! A MUST do!!!!
- 686patti December 05, 2024
Jose is a delightful and skilled ambassador for Valencian culture and cuisine. Jose is a very engaging and friendly host. We loved the way he used his home environment to share his knowledge, professional chef expertise, local stories and fabulous recipes. We very much appreciated that he consulted with us many days before on our preferences for the menu, and ran the session with just the two of us.
- Kerry_S October 06, 2024
My wife, sister and brother-in-law spent an incredible afternoon with Jose. After we met, he guided us to his apartment while he talked to us a little bit about Valencia, its history and some of the must-dos in the area. His small kitchen is very well equipped and he proceeded to describe how the afternoon would proceed, interjecting more history along the way (via historic photos on his wall). Jose made sangria with his own twist and it was refreshing and not too sweet. He also brought out the ingredients for the two tapas we were to prepare and gave us some small jobs to do. All the while, he answered questions, got us laughing and prepared us for the "big event". The cooking of the paella began with the chicken and rabbit searing in one of his many paella pans. In succession, we added the veggies, sofrito and rice, each of the additions being handled by a different person in our group. It was a bit nerve-racking, but we all did our jobs successfully. Note that you do not have to participate in any of the cooking if you so choose. We nibbled, drank, laughed, learned, and thoroughly enjoyed our time with Jose. He is so personable and professional. The tapas were delightful and our paella turned out amazing and very flavorful. We had some time to enjoy our meal with just the four of us before Jose rejoined us for a final drink. We said our goodbyes and commented to each other that it was one of the best experiences, ever. We highly recommend this to anyone who likes great Valencian food and wishes to learn from a master.
- tpdietz October 05, 2024
Jose was fantastic. Met us at arranged location and walked to his apartment. He had everything ready for the experience. Was delightful and informative. We cooked, talked and then ate! Well worth the expense.
- Todd June 02, 2024
It was a great experience ! A super selfmade sangria, tapas, the real Valencian paella and dessert. Delicious. My husband and myself enjoyed the private cooking with a nice chef and interesting tips. Really good afternoon we had during our trip to Vancia. freddy and Martine (Belgium)
- Quest3 May 12, 2024
I highly recommend this experience! If you want a very personal experience this is for you. The maximum he can host is four. You spend time in his home and his kitchen where you learn to cook and learn about the culture. Then you enjoy a meal like no other you have ever had.
- westcyr May 08, 2024
My husband and my mother in law traveled to Spain for 14 days. While in Valencia I booked this Paella making class for us. It was one of the highlights of our trip! Jose was great in explaining about the culture as well as showing us his amazing recipes for Sangria, Paella, and several other tapas. A must do while in Valencia, you won’t be disappointed!😀🇪🇸
- Cynthia May 08, 2024
Excellent Sangria and Paella with Chef Jose! We had a great time cooking with chef Jose. His sangria recipe will be a staple in our household; it was a great refreshment to start our paella making. We had a few vegetarians in our group so we made a vegetable paella along with the traditional Valencia paella. Both turned out excellent and along with the tapas we left very full. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone traveling to Valencia.
- tmicktw May 07, 2024
We try to do cooking classes like this where ever we visit. This class with Chef Jose ranks at the top! He is very knowledgeable about cooking, was passionate about making it the best experience for us, and easy to understand. Oh, and patient with all our questions! Cooking with him and his kitchen was up close and personal, and we walked away with memories, Recipes, and full stomachs. (PS: his Sangria is the best ever!)
- TreyMcintosh May 07, 2024
Such a great class! Jose met us and took us to his house and couldn't be more welcoming. He was so knowledgeable, all the food was amazing, and the whole day was super relaxed. We booked this at the start of our trip and got some good recommendations for the rest of our stay. His sangria was also the best we've had 😁 Would 100% recommend Jose and his class!
- N7516Z May 07, 2024
This was a fabulous experience. Jose was an amazing host and teacher. If you’re looking for a personal chef experience this is it. You are welcomed into his home and given step by step instructions on how to create traditional Spanish tapas and paella ….he even shows you his mothers secrets 😀. Definitely worth every penny. A must do when in Valencia.
- Relax08 April 11, 2024
Looking for an intimate paella cooking classs, taught by a chef in his home? This is it, an experience to remember! Our family group of 4 was met close to the chefs home. What a special treat to experience how paella is made in the city of it’s origin, by a chef that have deep roots in Valencia. Learn all those little tips from a local and help produce the best paella that you have ever tasted. I have done many cooking classes, but this truly was an exceptional experience. If you are lucky enough to read this, don’t hesitate to book the class. (The chefs English is very good, honed by working in the UK)
- Passenger April 05, 2024
We had an incredible experience! He was so accommodating and made us feel right at home. A must do!!
- UrmiJ April 04, 2024
Chef Jose provided an exceptional experience our family will remember for years to come - highly recommend! Tripadvisor review: Private Paella and Tapas Cooking Class in a Local Chef's Home Had a great trip to Spain and this was one of the absolute best parts. Chef Jose's communication and thoughtfulness before the meet-up day was exceptional. He provided a number of options to choose from and was highly responsive to communication. We brought our kids (12 and 9) to the experience and he was incredibly attentive to them having a great experience as well, from their ability to participate and learn, to providing them with food and drinks that would be special for them. My youngest daughter called it the best meal of her life. The quality of the food was tremendous. Chef Jose walked us through how everything was made (and had a very helpful recipe that he gave us that covered everything we learned). Both the tapas and paella were excellent, as were the drinks he prepared. This met and exceeded any expectations I had - highly, highly recommend this experience and getting to know Chef Jose!
- StevenHR April 03, 2024
Read More
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Jose

$88-$100 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $100 $88
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $100 $88
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm 6:00pm-10:00pm

Meet Jose

Jose is a passionate, native Valencian chef with over a decade of experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Valencia. After exploring cuisines from around the world he is excited to get back to his roots to share the culinary traditions of his hometown Valencia. His favorite dish to cook is rice - the Arabs brought rice to Valencia centuries ago and Jose is excited to the share different ways that Valencians have adapted rice into their cuisine. Paella is typically eaten with friends and family on Sundays but Jose believes everyday is a Sunday and is excited to share with you how to cook a traditional Valencia paella if your experience is during the day. Most importantly, Jose's goal is to create unforgettable gastronomic experiences that evoke emotions and leave a lasting impression. Jose is looking forward to learning about other people's cultures and teaching his guests how to cook and enjoy traditional Valencian cuisine while sharing culinary tips and techniques.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (2-5 guests) Meet your host Jose, a local, Michelin-star trained chef at the entrance to the IVAM Museum. During your 10-minute walk to his home, enjoy a guided tour of Valencia's old town, the Turia river and Jose's neighborhood. Walk up to Jose's second-floor apartment and immerse yourself in a Valencian culinary experience in José's kitchen. Begin your culinary adventure by taking either a traditional vermouth, a Valencian beer, or a soft drink, and accompanying it with a Gilda spherification, an innovative molecular gastronomy technique! Next, craft a unique and refreshing sangria with Jose. After, delve into the world of rice and paella (its history, culture, and tradition), learning the secrets and tricks that will not only help you master paella but also cook any rice dish you desire at home. Paella is typically eaten with friends and family on Sundays in Valencia - Jose believes that every day is a Sunday and is excited to share with you how to cook a traditional Valencian paella (a delicious combination of rice and meat)! He also offers three other traditional paella options to choose from instead of a Valenican paella - vegetarian paella, seafood paella, and paella with duck, asparagus, and mushrooms. Let Jose know when making your booking if you prefer one of these alternatives. While your paella cooks, skewer a pintxo such as the humble gilda (briny olives with pickled peppers and anchovies) and learn to make two tapas from scratch. After cooking, enjoy the meal you helped prepare with Jose at the dining table. Your meal concludes with a creamy mousse for dessert as well as cremaet, considered a Valencian must-try for coffee lovers! Leave with delicious memories and personal recipe book created by Jose with a selection of paellas, tapas, and typical drinks from Valencia and Spain. Jose can accommodate dietary restrictions including vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free; please include your dietary preferences when creating your booking.

Notes: Sangria or beer or wine or soft drinks are included in the price of your experience.

If you've had enough paella and would like to try another Valencian favorite for lunch, please let Jose know ahead of time and you will learn to cook arroz al horno (another lesser-known Valencian delight, rice cooked in the oven with pork ribs, sausages, potatoes, and tomatoes) instead or arros negre (black rice) with seafood and squid ink.

For groups of 2-3, please book a lunch time experience, as dinner time experiences are available for groups of 4+.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Sangria or Agua de Valencia
  • Choose 2 of 4 tapas: Galician-style octopus, Salmorejo with tuna belly, Iberian ham pintxo or corn toast with smoked sardines, cream cheese, and basil
  • Traditional Valencian paella (meat based), arroz del senyoret (seafood paella), vegetarian paella (with seasonal vegetables) or duck, mushroom, and asparagus paella
  • Dessert of Horchata de Chufa Mousse topped with a Valencian pastry
  • Cremaet, Valencian style rum and cinnamon infused coffee
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Jose's passion for Valencian cuisine is simply wonderful! It is a unique opportunity to learn to cook from a fun and native Valencian trained at the Michelin-starred restaurant El Poblet in Valencia.

AV, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (14)
This was the highlight of our trip to Spain! Jose is an amazing cook teacher and historian of Valencia culture . The food was soo yummy we got to learn how to make and participate in his awesome apartment . It was cozy fun and edu ! Hit all the marks and more!!!! A MUST do!!!!
- 686patti December 05, 2024
Jose is a delightful and skilled ambassador for Valencian culture and cuisine. Jose is a very engaging and friendly host. We loved the way he used his home environment to share his knowledge, professional chef expertise, local stories and fabulous recipes. We very much appreciated that he consulted with us many days before on our preferences for the menu, and ran the session with just the two of us.
- Kerry_S October 06, 2024
My wife, sister and brother-in-law spent an incredible afternoon with Jose. After we met, he guided us to his apartment while he talked to us a little bit about Valencia, its history and some of the must-dos in the area. His small kitchen is very well equipped and he proceeded to describe how the afternoon would proceed, interjecting more history along the way (via historic photos on his wall). Jose made sangria with his own twist and it was refreshing and not too sweet. He also brought out the ingredients for the two tapas we were to prepare and gave us some small jobs to do. All the while, he answered questions, got us laughing and prepared us for the "big event". The cooking of the paella began with the chicken and rabbit searing in one of his many paella pans. In succession, we added the veggies, sofrito and rice, each of the additions being handled by a different person in our group. It was a bit nerve-racking, but we all did our jobs successfully. Note that you do not have to participate in any of the cooking if you so choose. We nibbled, drank, laughed, learned, and thoroughly enjoyed our time with Jose. He is so personable and professional. The tapas were delightful and our paella turned out amazing and very flavorful. We had some time to enjoy our meal with just the four of us before Jose rejoined us for a final drink. We said our goodbyes and commented to each other that it was one of the best experiences, ever. We highly recommend this to anyone who likes great Valencian food and wishes to learn from a master.
- tpdietz October 05, 2024
Jose was fantastic. Met us at arranged location and walked to his apartment. He had everything ready for the experience. Was delightful and informative. We cooked, talked and then ate! Well worth the expense.
- Todd June 02, 2024
It was a great experience ! A super selfmade sangria, tapas, the real Valencian paella and dessert. Delicious. My husband and myself enjoyed the private cooking with a nice chef and interesting tips. Really good afternoon we had during our trip to Vancia. freddy and Martine (Belgium)
- Quest3 May 12, 2024
I highly recommend this experience! If you want a very personal experience this is for you. The maximum he can host is four. You spend time in his home and his kitchen where you learn to cook and learn about the culture. Then you enjoy a meal like no other you have ever had.
- westcyr May 08, 2024
My husband and my mother in law traveled to Spain for 14 days. While in Valencia I booked this Paella making class for us. It was one of the highlights of our trip! Jose was great in explaining about the culture as well as showing us his amazing recipes for Sangria, Paella, and several other tapas. A must do while in Valencia, you won’t be disappointed!😀🇪🇸
- Cynthia May 08, 2024
Excellent Sangria and Paella with Chef Jose! We had a great time cooking with chef Jose. His sangria recipe will be a staple in our household; it was a great refreshment to start our paella making. We had a few vegetarians in our group so we made a vegetable paella along with the traditional Valencia paella. Both turned out excellent and along with the tapas we left very full. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone traveling to Valencia.
- tmicktw May 07, 2024
We try to do cooking classes like this where ever we visit. This class with Chef Jose ranks at the top! He is very knowledgeable about cooking, was passionate about making it the best experience for us, and easy to understand. Oh, and patient with all our questions! Cooking with him and his kitchen was up close and personal, and we walked away with memories, Recipes, and full stomachs. (PS: his Sangria is the best ever!)
- TreyMcintosh May 07, 2024
Such a great class! Jose met us and took us to his house and couldn't be more welcoming. He was so knowledgeable, all the food was amazing, and the whole day was super relaxed. We booked this at the start of our trip and got some good recommendations for the rest of our stay. His sangria was also the best we've had 😁 Would 100% recommend Jose and his class!
- N7516Z May 07, 2024
This was a fabulous experience. Jose was an amazing host and teacher. If you’re looking for a personal chef experience this is it. You are welcomed into his home and given step by step instructions on how to create traditional Spanish tapas and paella ….he even shows you his mothers secrets 😀. Definitely worth every penny. A must do when in Valencia.
- Relax08 April 11, 2024
Looking for an intimate paella cooking classs, taught by a chef in his home? This is it, an experience to remember! Our family group of 4 was met close to the chefs home. What a special treat to experience how paella is made in the city of it’s origin, by a chef that have deep roots in Valencia. Learn all those little tips from a local and help produce the best paella that you have ever tasted. I have done many cooking classes, but this truly was an exceptional experience. If you are lucky enough to read this, don’t hesitate to book the class. (The chefs English is very good, honed by working in the UK)
- Passenger April 05, 2024
We had an incredible experience! He was so accommodating and made us feel right at home. A must do!!
- UrmiJ April 04, 2024
Chef Jose provided an exceptional experience our family will remember for years to come - highly recommend! Tripadvisor review: Private Paella and Tapas Cooking Class in a Local Chef's Home Had a great trip to Spain and this was one of the absolute best parts. Chef Jose's communication and thoughtfulness before the meet-up day was exceptional. He provided a number of options to choose from and was highly responsive to communication. We brought our kids (12 and 9) to the experience and he was incredibly attentive to them having a great experience as well, from their ability to participate and learn, to providing them with food and drinks that would be special for them. My youngest daughter called it the best meal of her life. The quality of the food was tremendous. Chef Jose walked us through how everything was made (and had a very helpful recipe that he gave us that covered everything we learned). Both the tapas and paella were excellent, as were the drinks he prepared. This met and exceeded any expectations I had - highly, highly recommend this experience and getting to know Chef Jose!
- StevenHR April 03, 2024
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $100 $88
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $100 $88
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-3:00pm 6:00pm-10:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

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    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the “Notes” section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.