Private Valencia Paella & Tapas Cooking Class In Chef Jose’s Home

What an incredible experience with chef Jose Rodriguez. We met at a nearby location, location, and walked to his apartment. Immediately, he is warm and welcoming. Chef Jose not only showed us how to cook, but taught us about the origins of the dishes and from where the ingredients originated. Started with Vermut and a “molecular” bite made from anchovy and olive. (No picture☹️) After that, chef’s personal twist on agua de Valencia. Next, “A bite of Spain” which was grated tomato on crystalle bread topped with jamon and olive oil. Then ajoblanco which was to die for! Next we learned step by step how to make the paella! And Chef Jose is very passionate about his paella! To say it was delicious as an understatement. It came out perfectly. But that was not the end. After that, we had creameat with tiger milk foam and fartón! Perfect ending to a perfect meal! Cannot say enough about Chef Jose and this experience.

Jose was wonderful. He made our cooking class so fun. He provided us with written English recipes. We learned so much about the culture as well as how to make the traditional paella. The drinks were also delicious.

Jose made us feel very welcome in his home.He cooked us a 3 course meal with tapa, a super traditional paella with a delicious dessert .Thank you so much for the wine and to say how much fun we had . Thank you Jose !

Valencia is a beautiful city and our paella cooking class with Jose was one of the highlights of our visit. An amazing chef, teacher and host. Jose brilliantly mixed stories and history with an incredible afternoon of making tapas and paella. Gracias Jose for such a wonderful experience.

​We had a wonderful private session with Chef Jose. Whether you are a casual cook or a culinary enthusiast, this is the experience for you. ​Everything about the space was amazing, but we especially loved his ability to weave a narrative that showed how paella ties the culture and history of Valencia, and Spain, all together. Chef Jose is passionate about his craft, a fantastic host, and a truly delightful human being. It is very rare for an experience to balance being professional, intimate, and educational, but he wove those threads perfectly to create a true core memory for our trip.​We want to hang hang out with chef Jose more! Thank you Jose! We are so excited to go home and share paella with your friends and family.

Going to Chef Jose's home to learn how to properly prepare paella was a treat. We've done other paella cooking classes but they were like going to Kindergarten rather than taking the master class that Chef Jose offers. We had a wonderful time learning the finer points of paella. Chef was full of helpful hints that we will incorporate into our kitchen. He was passionate about his craft and that really showed. The food he prepared was amazing. We've had paella at numerous restaurants in Valencia and Barcelona but none were as flavorful as what we had with Chef Jose. The tapas were amazing as well. He gave us the recipes before we left and I know I will attempt to make several of the dishes at home.

This was a great experience. Chef Jose was very cordial and explained every step in great detail. I enjoyed his hospitality and felt very comfortable in his home. I highly recommend this experience.

Jose was wonderful, great stories and amazing food. it will be a memorable cooking experience for sure. now Paella does not seem so daunting to make!! love that he sheared a recipe book as well.

Everyone in our group of 4 adults and 1 child had a fantastic time from start to finish. Chef Jose is an excellent host and a thoughtful teacher whose class is well planned, high quality, and Fun! His deep knowledge and enthusiasm came across in the class and in the food itself. He was generous with his time and hospitality and was just as welcoming of the child in our group as the adults. If you travel to Valencia, book a class with Chef Jose!

Chef José’s paella class was perfect for me and my 10-year-old son. We went through every step of making authentic paella, learned a lot, and had a great time. José is an amazing chef - warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about both Valencian food and sharing it with others. The finished paella was incredible and made us realize what paella is really supposed to taste like. We also loved learning about Valencia and the food traditions of the region. Highly recommended!

I would 100% recommend this to anybody traveling! Chef Jose was wonderful and very welcoming into his home.

Jose was an amazing host! My girlfriend and I really enjoyed the experience and got so many helpful tips for making tapas, cocktails and taking our paella to the next level!

We had such a great time learning to make paella with Jose. We ate tapas, drank vermouth, had wonderful conversation and watched carefully while Jose made paella in his kitchen. He clearly loves to cook and to share his knowledge with others. I had high expectations and they were exceeded. In addition to learning how to make paella, we learned some history of Spanish food, drinks and recipes. He also provided us with a booklet with recipes for everything we (he) made. This was a great way to spend a few hours in Valencia. It was like cooking and eating at a friend's house. And I'm betting it will be the best meal you have in Valencia and probably even in Spain! Highly recommend. Thank you Jose!

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.

We had the most amazing time with chef Jose and I very highly recommend this experience! He is full of knowledge and history which was fantastic. His home is very comfortable and welcoming. He is very informative, helpful, takes you step by step through the prepping and cooking process. We were there for several hours and could have stayed for more! We had drinks, tapas, and of course the paella we made! At the end we felt like he was just a good friend. And you get a cookbook with the recipes you talk about. This personal experience made for a fantastic afternoon.

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!

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!

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.

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.

We had a great cooking experience and would definitely recommend

José is a great chef, a patient teacher and a welcoming host. He is passionate about cooking traditional cuisine but also integrates new twists. His flavour combinations were incredible. We had a great time with him, learned a lot and enjoyed a superb meal. We look forward to trying out his recipes at home. Thank you José.

Chef Jose is not only an amazing chef, but he is personable, knowledgeable and so enthusiastic. We had an amazing time with him and learned a lot. Would highly recommend.

Our Day with Jose was amazing. The food and the day was perfect. I highly would recommend!

Every moment of this experience was fabulous! Jose is a wonderful gourmet chef as well as having a great personality! He immediately made us feel at home as we talked and helped create delicious tapas with a new twist. We loved making the traditional paella with him and enjoyed trying some new drinks and a delicious dessert that was a creative twist on horchata, a typical Valencian drink which he turned into mousse with chocolate shavings. I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. Jose is a star and cooking with him was the highlight of our week.

This was a gift to my husband, and it was the two of us in Jose’s apartment. What a fun time! We really enjoyed the cooking, the local drinks, and the history geography stories. Heartily recommend. Having the recipes to take home and recommendations for local shopping is a bonus.

An unforgettable day in Chef Jose's home learning the art of authentic paella. His passion and knowledge shone through every step - from cooking technique to the history and culture behind Valencian cuisine. There was a spectacular starter and dessert with generously served drinks of our choice. Much more than a cooking class, this felt like being in a friend's kitchen. We left with new skills, wonderful memories and a deep appreciation for Spanish cooking. Absolutely recommended.

This was an amazing experience!! Do not miss this! Chef Jose is so passionate about food, especially paella. As you are sitting in his cute kitchen, sip the aqua de Valencia he makes right in front of you, nibble on the flavorful traditional Tapas and listen to him talk about the history of Valencia. The paella was made with love and such detail and expertise! So authentic. Do not miss this amazing experience!!!!

Chef Jose Rodriguez first and foremost is a beautiful soul. From the minute he greets you to when you depart, you are immersed in a journey full of historic perspectives of Spain, insight into the culture of Valencia, and presented with impeccably prepared Spanish food and Spirits. This former Michelin two star executive chef invites you into his home for a truly memorable experience that is unique, authentic, and thoroughly enjoyable. It was easy going, fun, and an informative experience; like being with a lifelong friend for a long enjoyable afternoon respite. This is an extraordinary value proposition and one of our favorite experiences during our 17-day Spain sojourn. Treat yourself to a special adventure. The Spain Crew

I booked this cooking experience as a surprise for my husband, who loves to cook, and we both thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Jose is an excellent host and chef, and we spent hours talking, cooking and laughing with him while learning about the history of Valencia and Spain in general, as well as learning to cook paella. Overall, it was an experience we won't forget, and we highly recommend it for anyone wanting a few hours of truly authentic Valencia. Thank you Jose!

If you come across this activity, do not hesitate to book it. Jose's attention to detail and amazing and innovative culinary skills, in combination with his thoughtful storytelling, will keep you so engaged you will not even notice that time has passed. All of the dishes from the cooking class were expertly assembled and presented. And the paella was one of the best of my trip, truly authentic. This activity was the last on my itinerary for my trip in Valencia, and it definitely left a long-lasting impact. We learned a lot about Valencia's history and even left with wonderful recipes to try out by ourselves. Thanks again, Jose!

I had the pleasure of attending Jose’s paella cooking class and it was an incredible experience. He took the time to explain each step with authentic techniques and how to utilise the right ingredients, making sure we understood not just how to cook paella, but why the little details matter. Jose’s passion and patience shone through the whole class, and his warm approach made us feel comfortable and engaged. The class was hands-on, fun, and full of tips that you’d never get from a recipe alone. Learning from someone so dedicated to preserving tradition made the experience truly worthwhile. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommended — Jose is an excellent teacher and this class is a must-do for anyone wanting an authentic taste of Spain.

Jose welcomed us into his home and provided us with our favorite excursion so far on our trip to Spain! The food was amazing and his manner of explaining each step was informative and entertaining. He wove in history of all regions of spain and related this to each food we were experiencing. We highly recommend this unique cooking experience! Thank you Jose!

This experience was the highlight of our trip for our entire family. We so appreciate everything that Jose did to make this a lifetime memory. We truly enjoyed cooking the wonderful dishes and leaning about the culture of Valencia. It was one of the best meals we have ever had. Most importantly, Jose took the time to involve everyone and made us feel like family. We cannot thank him enough and hope to visit again someday.

We went on vacation to Spain with our two teenage children and since we all enjoy cooking and eating fantastic food, we wanted to learn to make the Paella that Valencia is famous for. Having done an experience in a home in Peru many years ago, we saw this opportunity to do Paella in a chef's home and after researching, it seemed like the perfect day for our family. Chef Jose was in communication with us before the experience, asking for our preferences and making sure to note any allergies or intolerances (we have none), and to ask our preferred level of involvement in the cooking process...whether we wanted to actually cook the food or if we just wanted a "chef's table" type of experience (we chose to do the cooking). The various tapas were delicious, and Chef Jose gave us the history of the region and the history behind all of the foods we were eating. Everything he prepared was traditional....but with a modern twist that was clearly prepared by a professional chef. The one completely traditional dish that we prepared was the paella...and it was the best paella I've ever had. Chef Jose was generous in everything...the portions were huge, the drinks flowed, and we had everything we needed. We left with a booklet of recipes that we are excited to try out at home. I know some people get nervous at the thought of going to someone's home that they don't know, but we were completely comfortable the entire time...the neighborhood was safe and we felt safe during the walk to the apartment and while we were in the apartment. We'd 100% recommend Chef Jose's paella class to any of our friends and family, and we'd probably even do it as a repeat for ourselves if we ever go back to Valencia! Thanks for a great day, Jose!

We had the most incredible experience and can't speak highly enough about Jose! He was engaging, kind, and carefully explained and demonstrated each step. Our food was incredible and we can't believe how time flew by. It was meaningful to learn about Valencia food traditions, culture and community from a local. I especially appreciated the way Jose engaged my 16 year old and gave such careful instruction and encouragement. This was truly a perfect day we will never forget.

Absolutely amazing!! José was so welcoming and such a gracious host. Enjoyed every moment and every bite😋. Would 100% recommend.

One our best experiences yet!! Jose was not only professional and a great chef; but so personable and engaging. We felt like we made a new friend. He was patient with our “cooking”skills and gave us tea tips not only for the meal we were cooking but in general. He was down to earth real and genuine. We didn’t get to experience much of Valencia as this was a quick port stop; but we feel we got to know the city well thru him. Would highly recommend to anyone

It was not only the best experience my girlfriend has had in Spain but the best food. Jose was so welcoming and was so passionate about cooking. He is truly skilled at making insane creations in the kitchen that look like art work. He was so willing to teach us how he’s creates his masterpieces and unlike most highly skilled he was such a nice guy. I would suggest anyone that goes to Valencia to take a cooking lesson from Jose. Don’t be alarmed by the cooking lesson being in his apartment. He has completely converted it into a professional kitchen when he walks you through the history of Spain and Valencia and where the food you eat comes from in the regions. This is the best thing that I have ever done on vacation and if you are reading this you should book it up immediately.

If you’re looking for another industrial 12-person cooking class where the dull chef barely notices you, then this class isn’t for you. Instead you will have a fun, multi-course meal from a highly skilled chef that demonstrates a passion for food and culture. It was just me and my 2 firiends in the class. Prior to our arrival we received a detailed survey which helped shape our experience, taking into account our food preferences and level of desired cooking participation. We met José at a well-known building in Valencia (saving us from having to navigate in an unfamiliar city) and after a short walk we were seated in his intimate home kitchen. The experience itself was fantastic. Not only did José enhance our paella skills, but he gave us snippets of Spain’s history while he treated us to both traditional and Michelin-style courses. I also learned several tips that can help me in my non-paella cooking. Grating a tomato has to be my new favorite for making bolognese. Make sure to arrive hungry! I highly recommend this experience for anyone looking for a paella class that doubles as a 5+ course tasting menu (with various libations throughout) in an intimate setting. If you are a foodie that likes to cook or just likes a fantastic astronomical experience, Book this now.

We had a great time. Our chef, Jose was awesome. Took his time and explained things to us. Would highly recommend and the food was delicious!

This class with Chef Jose is truly a unique and memorable experience. Chef Jose is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. He does a great job of blending the history of Spain and paella with the teaching of the proper techniques to prepare the dish and your tapas. For the average home cook or someone looking for a introduction into cooking, you will not be disappointed with this one of a kind experience.

It was the best experience we had on our trip! We spent 4 hours with José in the comfort of his own home sharing his passion of many types food from Valencia, his cooking techniques and many fascinating stories about Spain and how food is such an important part of the culture. His dishes were par excellence..his soup was better than the one we enjoyed at a 3 Michelin star in Barcelona and the Paella truly authentic! We left feeling very full and satisfied over enjoying the afternoon with such a skillful chef! We are ready to make Paella when we get home! This experience are for those who enjoy good food, good company and want to truly learn authentic Spanish culture.

Jose met us on time , with a big smile. He’s friendly, charming, knowledgeable, and skilled at his craft. We enjoyed every minute with him. Watching him prepare each course as he shared what he was doing, and how he was going to do it, offering tidbits of history and interest along the way, made the process as delicious as each dish. Although a native of Valencia, he speaks excellent English. He gives you the choice to observe and or be as involved in the cooking process as you would like. He also gives you choices of dishes for each course, taking your specific needs and preferences into account. We highly recommend!

Jose welcomed us with a smile and contagious enthusiasm. We loved the local experience in his charming home. Jose shared the history of his family, paella 🥘, and his passion for food & life. This was the first time we enjoyed authentic paella, sangria, special tapas and dessert Jose prepared. We highly recommend booking with Jose and enjoy an experience that is unforgettable. The afternoon will be filled with laughter, pure joy, delicious food, and LOVE ❤️ Thank you Jose for making our time with you EPIC!

It’s been over three weeks, and I still can’t stop thinking about the highlight of our Valencia trip: cooking with the legendary Chef Jose. We’ve done a class in Rome before and loved it—but Chef Jose raised the bar tenfold. He’s a culinary ninja: everything prepped, perfectly organized, and somehow makes learning to cook feel like a party at your hilarious foodie friend’s house (if that friend happened to be a 5-star chef). I did this with my husband and our 19-year-old son—we laughed, we learned, we sipped his cleverly tweaked concoctions, and devoured absolute masterpieces. No spoilers—but trust me, your taste buds will thank you. If you’re in Valencia, book it. You’ll leave full, happy, and slightly convinced you’re now a gourmet chef. Honestly, this experience alone would be the perfect reason to come back to Valencia.

Chef Jose was amazing and his cooking class/experience was the highlight of our trip! He is friendly, funny and a great cook. Make the time to enjoy his hospitality!

This was the highlight of our trip to Valencia! Jose was just great! Not only was the food 🥘 incredible, but the history and side stories made it even better! The Ajoblanco may be my favorite dish of our entire trip! Also….don’t stir the rice 😉 10/10 - would HIGHLY recommend!

Jose was fantastic and made the experience so fun for me and my 3 friends! The sangria he taught us to make was the best we had in Valencia!

Excellent experience all around, from the hands on cooking and Jose’s expertise and engaging personality. The finished products were a spectacular array of culinary delights. Muchas gracias José, for the hospitality and entertainment, and, of course, the gastronomic enlightenment and sharing of your world!