“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”
Benjamin Franklin
Increasingly it seems as the world gets smaller that more travellers are looking for unusual experiences rather than just the usual sightseeing tours. This was no more apparent than on our recent visit to Spain to experience all that Costa Brava can offer the family. One evening we were invited to a workshop in La Vinyeta (Mollet de Perelada) with a wonderful chef called Jordi and his fabulous assistant/wife Anna. They were there to teach us all a little bit about the essence of the Catalan culinary tradition. Jaume Marin the MD of the Costa Brava tourism board is a huge believer in story telling and making things come to life for the children. Getting involved was one of his key messages.
Honestly, the difference when you actually involve your children in an activity of this nature is huge. All the kids (and the parents) were massively engaged in the cooking processes and we learnt how to make Pa amb tomaquet & fuet (tomato bread with cold cured meat), Spanish omelette (one of my favourites), noodle paella and Crema Catalana (Creme Brulee of sorts).
Here we all are at the beginning being talked through what we were going to do:-
Some of the kids getting involved in making the custard creme:-
After the children worked well together and showed how it should be done, here come the competitive mummy bloggers to battle their way through each stage of the spanish omelette competition:-
Both pretty happy with their finished product:-
Then come the two professional 12 year old boys:-
Followed by the girls:-
Then comes the fun bit – burning sugar onto the top of the custard cream and now I need to buy one of those searing devices:-
Here is Jen, from Britmums and Jenography showing us how it should be done:-
Here is Kirsty from Family On A Bike setting us all on fire:-
and the finished product:-
A fantastic experience was had by all.
Jennifer Howze
June 8, 2013Great pictures, Lucy. Jordi is such a personable chef. I love that they do cooking classes for families where they show up with everything you need. You learn some regional dishes and then, best of all, eat them!
Family Affairs
June 9, 2013I know – it was an amazing experience. Lx
Anna
June 8, 2013Oh, tasty Spanish food, I love you so…..
Anna
June 8, 2013Sorry, I meant to say Catalonian.
Gretta Schifano
June 10, 2013It was a great evening, I really enjoyed it. I’m going to try and make a Spanish omelette Jordi’s way this week.
Kate
June 13, 2013The Crema Catalana looks delicious. Judging by the photos it looks like you all had a lot of fun making theses dishes.
Family Affairs
June 13, 2013Thanks – it was and we did! Lx
Hotel in Granada, Spain
July 16, 2013Spanish food is extremely varied. Next time you try coming down to the south, to Granada, where our traditional cooking mixes moorish ingredients with mediterranean traditions to come up with amazingly tasty recipes. 🙂
Family Affairs
July 17, 2013Sounds lovely – I’d love to try that sort of food next! Lx