Paella class with shopping at the Antón Martín market

The morning starts with a basket in your hand at the Antón Martín market, 200 metres from the school: vegetables, seafood and whatever the cook finds good that day. Back in the Cooking Point kitchen, in the Barrio de las Letras in Madrid, you prepare the sangria and a starter (gazpacho in the warm months; in winter they swap it for a warm salad) and then your own paella of rice, seafood and chicken, one for each pair. At the end you sit down to eat it with the rest of the group and take home the printed recipe book.

From the vegetable stall to the paella pan

The class lasts four hours, from 10:00 to 14:00, Monday to Saturday. It is given in English and you do not need to know how to cook: each pair has its own burner and the cook tells you where paella comes from and which tricks stop the rice from overcooking or sticking. If you come alone, you are paired up. Up to 24 people fit in the kitchen. Lunch, drinks, ingredients and the market shopping are included in the price: €85 per adult and €45 per child aged 5 to 12, who can come with an adult looking after them the whole time.

Moratín 11, a stone's throw from Antón Martín

The school is at Calle de Moratín, 11. Get off at Antón Martín, on line 1, and come out by Calle de Amor de Dios; the market and the school are a couple of minutes' walk away. You book on the school's website, which asks for card payment to confirm your place and refunds everything if you cancel 24 hours ahead. If you have a diet or allergy, say so when booking: since you cook in pairs, both of you have to agree on the alternative.