Page 85 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2024 SPAIN

Madrid Cooking Class: Paella, Tapas and More

ne of the great attractions for
us in Spain, and in Madrid
specifically, is the cuisine. And
O any chance we get, we aim for
hands-on experience to cook classic Span-
ish dishes.
Luckily, Devour Tours offers cooking
classes in Madrid. We’ve taken Devour’s
tours and classes all around Europe and
know you always get more than culinary
training. We knew from experience that we
would learn about the local culture, must-
have ingredients, and suggestions for lo-
cals’ dining and drinking favorites. That’s
why we booked the four-hour Paella and
Tapas: Madrid Cooking Class with Market
Visit early in our three-week stay in Madrid.
Our mid-morning tour began at
Plazuela Antón Martín in Huertas, a
bustling neighborhood in central Madrid.
This distinctive red Devour Tours bag made
it easy to spot the guide/instructor, Aran-
txa Lamas, and fellow students. Our group
was a diverse mix of nationalities - Brits,
Mexicans, Filipinos - who shared a passion
for meeting fellow travelers and experienc-
ing new cultures and cuisines.
Spanish cuisine, culture, and traditions
reflect the country’s rich history, including
rule by the Moors for centuries. Each re-
gion boasts unique dishes shaped by geog-
raphy and ethnic influences. In this class,
we would taste our way around Spain with-
out leaving the capital city. The lunch
ranged from the Gilda tapa created in
Basque Country to traditional paella born
in coastal Valencia and Crema Catalana in-

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