Such a unique, hands-on and fun experience! If you have the opportunity, DO THIS!
While I was planning my trip to Barcelona, I was seeking out "live like a local" sort of events; the true Yelper in me always comes out =) I came across Yves - "Social Cooker" - Cooking Class: Delicious Local Cuisine in a Chef's Home. Ummmm... YES! I checked out his website and a brief description of what the evening entailed and booked him!
"Join me for a cooking class in my home, welcome! Together we'll learn how to cook and eat traditional Catalan cuisine. Be prepared for an amazing culinary experience! I will pick you up at the station and we will drive home (only 4 mins uphill). We'll cook together, enjoy a beer and a snack, and after cooking have a delicious meal all together. In the summertime we cook on the roof terrace overlooking Barcelona's skyline. We can even customize our typical Catalan/ Spanish menu to your taste. We will have fun together! A unique local experience is waiting for you! See you soon!" - Ummm, who wouldn't want to try this?
Our very first evening in Barcelona, we did this experience and it was perfect. We went to the meeting spot and Yves was waiting there with a smile. He was so very welcoming from the very first moment. Anyone who invites you into their home has to be lovely, right? His home was gorgeous and his family was so lovely. We met his wife and two young boys. They went to bed shortly after we arrived and we received a tour of his lovely home. The kitchen was epic and the rooftop was the perfect backdrop to our evening.
We headed into the kitchen to begin dinner prep and opened some wine. He had two friends joining us as well and they were just as lovely. There were 5 of us in the kitchen and Yves directed us all so we were never in each other's way. We had some bread and spread along with some mussels in a memorable sauce to begin as we put together a salad and fresh seafood Paella. We made everything down to the fresh fish stock. It was a fabulous and rewarding experience. We also had a fresh apple dessert prepping as we finished our dinner. There was relaxing background music playing as we all chatted and cooked along side. We learned a ton about each other and our very different cultures. We truly felt like we were cooking with friends.
We took all of the prepped dinner to the top of the roof where there was an open cooking area and we completed the Paella. The weather was perfect and the gorgeous Barcelona skyline was our backdrop. You couldn't have painted a better picture.
We gorged on dinner and relaxed - the perfect way to enjoy our freshly made, local dinner. We joked, we laughed, we just enjoyed the company of strangers, who by the end of night became friends. It was a lovely, unique experience that I would suggest to anyone in the area whether you are visiting or are a local. Yves is a very loving host who shares his love of food in a fabulous way.
Thank you, Yves! It was a true pleasure and a highlight of my entire trip. read more