So glad we took this class! My mother and I learned how to make paella and salmorejo: ) we’re Latin American, and with no experience in making paella, we learned the different varieties of paella and how to make traditional salmorejo of cordoba. Barbara, our instructor is a native of cordoba so we learned from the best 🥰 loved the end result of both dishes.
As someone who loves to cook this experience was disappointing. Firstly, I was the only English speaker although it was an English experience, and the host made a limited effort to interpret. The location is not what was shown in the photos. It was a foldable table in a basement and was dusty. There was no requirement for hand washing or avoiding getting raw seafood juice into fresh soup. The other Spanish participants commented on the mediocre quality of ingredients and the lack of authenticity of the paella ingredients and the soup ingredients. It felt like the guide was young and inexperienced cooking and hosting adults. A place to eat was not prepared, and guests ended up pulling up chairs to the same table to food was prepared on. At one point a very dirty extension cord holder was taken off the floor and placed on the food preparation table to power an appliance. I gave the 2 stars because there was a nice wine offered at the start, and I did eat some of the food, and learned the basics of 2 traditional spanish recipes. La Vacanza Travel reached out for a refund, but it was denied. I dislike posting negative reviews, but I hope that others will be able to find a better Cooking experience when visiting Cordoba.
The host was pleasant but this is not a cooking class for anyone looking for an authentic experience. The cooking took place in the basement of an apartment. The paella was cooked in a electric fry pan with ingredients of average quality. The table had to be cleared when we requested to sit to eat. The wine was ordinary. The method was no different to cooking an ordinary rice dish that I cook in Australia. The young host lacks experience and expertise but as stated, is pleasant. The whole experience was completed within 1 hour and 1/2.
We met Bárbara near the clock tower and walked a short distance to her aunt’s home that they had opened to us for the cooking class. We first had a glass of wine and talked a little and got started with the seafood paella. Bárbara guided us through the steps and I was surprised that we were able to create a dish that I was always intimidated to make. It was delicious! And then we made Salmorejo, which again, I thought would be difficult, but it was so easy & tasty! We sat down to enjoy what we had made, and it made the perfect lunch and with leftovers for our group of 4 people (2 adults & 2 kids). What a memorable experience for my kids & our whole family! Thanks Bárbara!
They were very welcoming and nice. We had a great time chatting with our instructor about local Cordoba and its history.