Spain as you know is deep in my soul…growing up there, cooking there, living there, has made me who I am today. And now, I had the amazing opportunity to take my girls to Spain and share a culinary adventure with them for my new show—José Andrés & Family in Spain—streaming tomorrow, December 27, on Discovery+.
On the show you will come along with me and my daughters Carlota, Inés, and Lucía, as I give them an in-depth tour. Together we travel to Barcelona, Madrid, Andalucía, Valencia, Lanzarote, and in my birthplace of Asturias, eating everything from the most simple tapas to the amazing dishes that tell Spain’s culture through food. Along the way we have many adventures, exploring history and traditions, enjoying celebrations, and so much food. I mean, it was a lot of eating, even for me! At the end of every day, we were very full…and very happy!
I loved going to Barcelona to visit one of my favorite places, Tapas 24, run by my first friend from culinary school, Carles Abellan, where we ordered everything (yes, everything!) on the menu, washing it all down with cold glasses of Cava! As I taught my daughters the saying in Spain is, “We are going to leave rolling!” And we did.
Then Carlota, Inés, and I traveled throughout Spain's southern coast of Andalucía to learn about the Moorish influence on Spanish culture and cuisine. The girls were already familiar with the region already, since their mom (and my wife!), Tichi is from Andalucía, but they still tried many new foods…the history of that place is amazing.
But one of the best moments in the show (there are many) was when I surprised my daughters in Valencia and entered them in a paella cooking competition! Oh my god, you have to see this one!
There are also dinners with family in Asturias, lots of cider drinking, cheese making, and all sorts of crazy conversations with my daughters who are very critical of my driving!!
Friends, you know I always quote the great culinary philosopher Brillat-Savarin who said, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you who you are.” Here you will see very clearly who I am, and I hope you will join me on this journey through my homeland with my girls. It’s one of the best times I have had in my life, spending that much time together, sharing history and food and love of my native Spain.
Let me know what you think! Let’s go!
A great chef, a better human being, his 3 cool daughters and plenty of soigne food in Spain. What more can we ask for except care packages.
España me formó la vida, differently than you but with much love & admiration for the culture and people. My journey began at 15 as an American exchange student to Spain. I can’t wait to watch this journey you took with your daughters! Son preciosas!
José- usted está mi héroe!!!
I stumbled across your work with World Central Kitchen while doing research for my high school Spanish classes. I’m a Spanish teacher & amateur cocinera. When I retire in a few years, I want to work for your organization and help feed people in need. Thank you for coming to ACTFL via Zoom- you’ve inspired my students and fellow language teachers as well! We want to help feed the world.