Jose is a passionate, native Valencian chef with over a decade of experience in Michelin-starred restaurants in London and Valencia. After exploring cuisines from around the world, he returned to his roots to share the rich culinary traditions of Valencia. Jose’s specialty is rice dishes, a staple introduced to Valencia by the Arabs centuries ago. He loves showing guests the many ways Valencians have adapted rice into their cuisine. While paella is traditionally enjoyed with family and friends on Sundays, Jose believes every day is a Sunday and is eager to teach you how to prepare authentic Valencian paella during your experience. Jose’s goal is to create unforgettable gastronomic experiences that delight the senses, evoke emotions, and leave lasting memories. He looks forward to sharing traditional Valencian cooking techniques, teaching culinary tips, and learning about his guests’ cultures, making every cooking class a warm and immersive journey into Valencia’s food heritage.
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: (2-6 guests) Meet your host, Chef Jose, a Michelin-star trained Valencian chef, at the entrance to the IVAM Museum. Begin your experience with a 10-minute guided walk through Valencia’s old town, past the Turia River before your immersive Valencia cooking class. Start your culinary journey with a traditional vermouth, Valencian beer, or soft drink, paired with a Gilda spherification, an innovative twist on this classic pintxo. Next, create a refreshing sangria with Jose and learn about the rich history, culture, and traditions behind Valencian rice dishes and paella. While paella is traditionally eaten with family and friends on Sundays, Jose believes every day is a Sunday and will teach you how to prepare authentic Valencian paella, a delicious combination of rice and meat. Alternatively, choose from three other traditional paella options: vegetarian paella, seafood paella, or paella with duck, asparagus, and mushrooms. While your paella cooks, enjoy hands-on tapas preparation, including skewering a classic Gilda and making two other traditional dishes from scratch. After cooking, sit down to enjoy the meal you helped prepare, followed by a creamy mousse dessert and cremaet, a must-try Valencian coffee-based drink. Take home a personalized recipe book from Chef Jose, featuring authentic paellas, tapas, and traditional Spanish drinks, so you can recreate the experience at home.
Notes:
1. Dietary Restrictions: Jose can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free diets. Please share your dietary preferences when making your booking.
2. Alternative Valencian Dishes: If you’d like to try something other than paella, let Jose know in advance. You can learn to cook arroz al horno (oven-baked rice with pork ribs, sausages, potatoes, and tomatoes) or arroz negro (black rice with seafood and squid ink).
3. Group Size & Timing: For groups of 2–3 guests, please book a lunch experience. Dinner experiences are available for groups of 4 or more.
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
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
My wife and I had a wonderful experience where once we left we felt like José was our best friend. He gave us all kinds of history, shared family stories, and taught us all kinds of chef tricks to cook the most perfect paella. We cannot wait to get home and try his recipes he gave us. I highly recommend this intimate experience in his very clean and comfortable home which was a short walk from the city center.- mike May 20, 2026
We would highly recommend taking Jose's cooking class. We wished we could give him more Stars. It was not just another Paella cooking class. The food was delicious! We learned and understand now the proper Valencian Paella cooking. It was a beautiful learning experience of the Valencian food, culture, and Jose personal journey. Jose guided us though this culinary journey from his initial aperitif, tapas, drinks, Paella, and finishing with a twist on a Spanish light dessert of course "Chef Jose" style. Chef Jose is a wonderful teacher, personable, authentic, funny. Vive la vida Valenciana, Any day is truly a Sunday!- dayle May 04, 2026
Jose was fun, funny, and engaging. He provided top-notch guidance while allowing us to prepare some the most delicious food and drinks we’d ever tasted…and then there was dessert!- pat April 19, 2026
This was a fantastic experience, we loved it. Jose is a proffessional, he showed us how to properly prepare the Valencian paella, it was alot of fun and we learned so much about the ingredients and cooking. It is the highlight of our trip so far and we will go for another session in future if possible.- carrie April 16, 2026
We had a wonderful meal and experience with Jose. Making and enjoying it at his home made it even more enjoyable. From the Vermut ice breaker to the fabulous molecular gastronomy appetizers and traditional paella, it was a most fabulous experience.- queenie April 09, 2026
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