On a 3 day trip to Barcelona, I discovered more about Spanish food that goes way beyond paella and tapas.

The cuisine of Spain really does have an identity of its own. I took a fun, 'hands-on cooking course' in Barcelona that was not only a culinary but also a cultural experience. We learnt from passionate Spanish chefs who are keen to impart their extensive knowledge and I have returned home with a new skill that will stay with me long after the holiday is over and one I can show off to my friends!

In the UK you can pretty much buy any food you like whether it is in season or not, in Spain at the famous Boqueria market where the sights and smells hit you all at once, you are taught the importance of using only seasonal produce, how to identify the freshest ingredients and if you have a specific interest in Spanish hams, cheeses, seafood or wines then your friendly and knowledgable chef is on hand to answer any questions - even my basic and rather embarassing one of 'why is that ham really expensive and that other one a lot cheaper when they look the same?'.

Learning to cook Spanish food in the UK just doesn’t compare, you can only really fully appreciate the Spanish culture and uniqueness of its food that goes way beyond Paella when you are immersed in the culture of the country itself. I defintely recommend the market visit as I think the cooking class alone without that just couldn't compare. You can only get a sense for what you are creating in the kitchen when you've learnt what ingredients you are buying otherwise when you return home, how are you going to know what to buy when you wander round your local tesco.

Whilst I was in Barcelona, I took advantage of their cool cycle system and hired a bright red and white bike to explore the city in between my cooking classes and exploring the parc Guell in search of Gaudi.

The highlight was defintely the amazing cooking course with that visit to the Boqueria market where we picked up all the ingredients before we got back to the stylish kitchen just by the Ramblas to roll up our sleeves and get cooking.

We learnt all about the different types of hams, cheeses (Manchago is now a firm favourite), rice for paella, how to select the freshest vegtables and some excellent tips on how to cook up lots of Spanish dishes like gazpacho, a spicy dish with chick peas, how to use chorizo, a gorgeous creme catalan and lots of other delicious things.

This is perfect if you are travelling alone as you join a group of like minded individuals all looking for that cultural fix and who are interested in actually learning how to cook the food as well as eating it but I could also see it would be great for a group of girls as you could take over the whole course and cook up your own private dinner party... one where you've cooked the food together whilst the wines flow!

Take a half day out of your city break to Barcelona and go learn to cook to really appreciate this unique food and the history and culture behind it and what better way to spend an afternoon but with a glass of Spanish red whilst you cook up a storm.

Book in advance as places on this popular course are limited but be sure to book a cooking course that includes the Boqueria market visit.