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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Jose

Valencia, Spain

USD
$89-$99 per person

Valencia Paella Cooking Class with Michelin-Star Chef

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Round-Trip Transfers
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Jose

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.

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: (2-6 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, French

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 (64)
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.
- sam October 26, 2026
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.
- linda October 23, 2026
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 !
- bob October 17, 2026
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.
- brian October 14, 2026
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.
- cedric October 01, 2026
Read More

Jose

$89-$99 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 $99 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $99 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% 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 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.

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: (2-6 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, French

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 (64)
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.
- sam October 26, 2026
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.
- linda October 23, 2026
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 !
- bob October 17, 2026
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.
- brian October 14, 2026
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.
- cedric October 01, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $99 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $99 $89
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% 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 4% 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.

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    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transfers are typically charged on a per car basis, not per person. 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 round-trip transfers as an optional add-on. A driver collects you from your hotel or residence, takes you to the experience, and brings you back at the end. Pricing is quoted per car, not per person, so a group shares one fare. Your host's exact pickup instructions come with your confirmation details once the booking is accepted. A few hosts arrange transfers differently — a one-way ride, or a pickup from a central meeting point — and where that is the case their profile says so in place of the round-trip wording.

    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").

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