How long is the class?

Most sessions run about 2–3 hours and include hands-on cooking, tasting, and a printed recipe to take home.

Can I request vegetarian or pescatarian paella?

Yes—dietary preferences and allergies are accommodated with advance notice when booking.

Is prior cooking experience required?

No—classes are designed for beginners and home cooks who want practical technique and tasting time.

How large are the groups?

Groups remain intentionally small to keep instruction close and interactive; reserve early to limit group size.

Where do I book the class?

Use the provided referral link in the listing to check availability and reserve your spot.

Is the space accessible?

The space is accessible to most mobility levels, though there are steps at the entrance—contact the operator for specific accessibility needs.

Madrid Paella Class in Roma: Hands-On Spanish Paella Workshop in Lazio

On a bright afternoon in Roma, Lazio, Italy, Madrid Paella Class offers a rare, hands-on bridge between Spanish coastal flavors and Roman conviviality. Located in central Roma (coordinates 41.908411, 12.447413), this class brings together small groups around a single pan to learn how to build a true paella: toasted bomba rice, saffron, sofrito of tomatoes and paprika, and the layered rhythm of proteins or seasonal vegetables. The scene is a working kitchen where a cast-iron paella pan becomes a classroom; guests smell olive oil warming, hear the gentle simmer of stock, and watch the coveted socarrat form along the pan’s edge. Key features include the communal paella pan, live stovetop cooking, ingredient stations for fresh seafood or vegetarian options, and a tasting portion at the end with recommended wine pairings. What makes this class special is the cultural crossover: you’re in Rome but learning a dish rooted in Valencia and perfected across Spain. Instructors explain rice varieties (bomba versus arborio), saffron sourcing, and how to manage liquid ratios and heat to coax out the socarrat without burning. The class highlights local produce and market-driven substitutions—Roma’s citrus, sun-ripened tomatoes, and oregano often appear as Italian twists on Spanish technique, creating a distinctive session you won’t find in Spain itself. For travelers wanting a culinary deep-dive, this experience pairs well with market visits and casual evening walks through the city’s piazzas afterward. Practical details: classes are hands-on and suitable for beginners; expect two to three hours of standing, tasting, and taking home a printed recipe. Bring an appetite more than specialized gear. Dietary options are accommodated with advance notice for pescatarian or vegetarian versions. As a cultural note, paella’s roots trace to 19th-century Valencia, where rice, saffron, and local proteins combined into a communal meal; learning it abroad underscores how food travels and adapts. Booking is done through the provided referral link and classes run year-round with seasonal ingredient shifts; groups remain small to keep instruction personal. The space is accessible to most mobility levels though there are steps at the entrance - please check accessibility with the operator. Children are welcome with adult supervision; gift certificates and private sessions can be arranged for special occasions, making this a memorable souvenir from Roma.

About The Roman Food Tour

The Roman Food Tour is a Rome-based culinary company that offers guided food tours and hands-on cooking classes across Italy. Specializing in authentic local experiences, The Roman Food Tour operates primarily in Roma, Lazio, and features a range of offerings including market walks, wine tastings, pizza and pasta classes, and neighborhood food tours.

Guests can choose from organized experiences such as evening food tours in Prati and the Historical Center, a Trionfale Market Tour with multiple tastings, guided walks in Trastevere, and focused sessions like a 1.5-hour fine wine tasting in central Rome. Cooking classes cover regional specialties and dessert techniques — pasta, tiramisù, and pizza making — with options in Rome and other Italian cities including Venice, Verona, Bari, Bologna, Siena, Palermo, Milan, Florence, Sorrento, and Naples.

Workshops and tours are led in collaboration with local restaurants, family-owned kitchens, and knowledgeable guides who provide context about ingredients, techniques, and Italian food culture. Many experiences include wine pairings, artisanal tastings, and opportunities to sample market-fresh products.

Booking information, tour durations, and specific menus vary by experience; the provider lists short-format tastings and multi-hour cooking classes. The Roman Food Tour focuses on authentic venues and small-group formats to prioritize hands-on learning and local flavor. For travelers seeking to learn Italian cooking techniques, discover neighborhood food scenes, or taste regional wines and specialties, The Roman Food Tour presents a reliable, Italy-focused option. Many experiences are hosted by local chefs and family-run restaurants offering hands-on instruction and authentic menus and seasonal ingredients regularly.