How Our Story Became Yours
Working Together for a Better Barcelona
We are committed to preserving the charm of our city and fostering a thriving local economy. We believe in the power of collaboration between tourists, local businesses, and residents. Join us in promoting responsible tourism and supporting our community!
Meet Maria
A Culinary Artist with a Passion for Flavor
From her first solo attempt at risotto to mastering both Brazilian favorites and Catalan fricandó, Maria brings warmth, creativity, and a touch of home to every dish she makes. With experience in dynamic kitchens like Enigma, she’s learned the value of patience and precision. Inspired by Brazilian chef Helena Rizzo, Maria blends her roots with her current surroundings to create memorable, heartfelt cuisine. Fun fact: Ask her about her first time cooking lobster—it’s a story worth hearing!
Meet Simón
A Culinary Explorer and Cultural Visionary
Simón, a Chilean culinary artist with deep French roots, blends intellect and flavor in every experience he leads. With a background in philosophy, publishing, and audiovisual storytelling, his work transcends the kitchen—turning each class into a rich cultural journey. Passionate about music, literature, and cinema, Simón infuses his cooking with meaning, making his sessions as thought-provoking as they are delicious. Cooking with him is more than a class, it’s a multi-sensory exploration of culture, connection, and creativity.
Meet Raquel
A Chef with Heart, Tradition, and a Sweet Tooth
Raquel’s love for cooking began in her family’s kitchen, where she helped prepare festive Venezuelan meals like asado negro, hallacas, and arepas from a young age. While she excels in traditional cuisine, her true passion is baking, believing a well-made dessert can brighten any day. With a cooking style that blends tradition and modern flair, her secret ingredient is nutmeg, bringing warmth to both sweet and savory dishes. Inspired by the resourceful women in her family, Raquel cooks with heart and heritage, dreaming of one day preparing a special paella to honor her mother and grandmother. Beyond the kitchen, she finds joy in music, theater, long walks, and always perfecting her next dessert.
Meet Hugo
Culinary Expert and Joyful Host
Hugo is a seasoned chef who brings warmth, humor, and a deep love for Spanish cuisine to every class he leads. With expertise in everything from perfecting paella to mixing the ideal sangria, he creates a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere where guests of all skill levels feel right at home. Known for his engaging style and generous cooking tips, Hugo ensures each experience is as educational as it is entertaining. Fun fact: He once cooked a giant paella for over 100 people at a local festival, using a paddle to stir the massive pan!
Meet Our Awesome Team
At Gastronomic Arts Barcelona, we wouldn't be where we are today without our amazing team of talented individuals. Each member brings their unique skills and passion for culinary arts, creating an inspiring environment that cultivates creativity and excellence. Together, we are dedicated to providing an unforgettable cooking experience for every student.
★ ★ We Are Proud to Be Barcelona's Top-Rated Culinary Class Experience ★ ★
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Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to share the authentic flavors and traditions of Spanish cuisine while creating unforgettable experiences that bring people together.
Through hands-on cooking, warm hospitality, and a passion for local culture, we aim to inspire food lovers from around the world to not only taste Spain but truly experience it. Every class is about more than recipes it’s about connection, community, and memories that last long after the final bite.
Our Commitment
We are dedicated to creating a positive social impact in the communities we operate in. We recognize that as a business, our operations have an impact on the environment, society, and the economy. Therefore, we strive to make this impact a positive one. We do this in a variety of ways, such as reducing our carbon footprint, promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting local businesses and charities, and working towards a more ethical and sustainable future.
One of our primary focuses is on environmental sustainability and we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing our impact. To achieve this, we have implemented a variety of eco-friendly practices such as using, reducing waste, recycling, and using environmentally-friendly products and packaging. We believe that by promoting sustainability, we can contribute to the creation of a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
We also prioritize social sustainability and understand that creating a positive social impact involves promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for both our employees and customers. Therefore, we are dedicated to ensuring that our business is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. We believe that by creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and respected, we can foster a culture of innovation, creativity, growth and excellence.
Furthermore, we are committed to supporting local businesses and charities, as we believe that our success as a business is interconnected with the success of the communities we serve. We strive to source our products ethically and sustainably, promote fair labor practices and human rights throughout our supply chain and untouched food is shared with those who need it most. By prioritizing social impact, we are creating a more sustainable and responsible business model that benefits not only our business, but also the communities we serve.
We are 100% open to working on new projects and with other like-minded people. If you think this is you, then please reach out!
From Global Kitchens to Barcelona’s Heart
Food has always been at the center of our lives. From traveling the world and working in dozens of restaurants across the globe, to spending countless hours in kitchens exploring flavors and traditions, our journey has always been guided by a love of cooking and sharing meals.
That path eventually led us to Barcelona, a city rich in history, culture, and a deep passion for food. Here, we found the perfect home to share what we love most: teaching the art of gastronomy and authentic Spanish cooking.
What started as a small idea quickly grew into something extraordinary. Guests from around the world now join us to cook, taste, and celebrate together. Along the way, we’ve been honored to be ranked the #1 activity in Barcelona, named among the Top 10 Culinary Experiences in Europe, and awarded Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best, placing us in the Top 1% of more than 8 million activities worldwide.
For us, it’s never just about cooking. It’s about creating moments that connect people, through food, stories, and shared experiences. That’s the story we’re proud to share with you.
Our Commitment to Our Employee Well-being
We are deeply committed to the well-being and growth of our team. We believe that our success is built on the foundation of a happy and healthy workforce. This is why we provide a comprehensive suite of benefits that support both the personal and professional lives of our employees and are some of the best in the industry.
Some of Our Employee Benefits Include:
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Private Healthcare: Comprehensive health coverage to ensure our employees' medical needs are met.
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Restaurant Tickets: Subsidised meals to make daily dining accessible and enjoyable.
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Free Meals: Meals provided during shifts, promoting a healthy lifestyle (not just paella).
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Monthly and Quarterly Incentives: Attractive incentives to reward hard work, stellar service and dedication.
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Offsite Team Outings: Regularly scheduled outings to foster team spirit, camaraderie and to simply take a break.
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Comprehensive Training: Ongoing training opportunities to help our team grow their skills and advance their careers.
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Work-Life Balance: We prioritise a balanced approach to work and life, ensuring that our employees have time to recharge and pursue personal interests.
We believe that by investing in our team's health, growth, and happiness, we are nurturing a more productive, creative, and loyal workforce. This pledge to our employees is at the heart of our operations and reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and thriving workplace.
Welcome to The GAB LAB
An innovative dining and culinary experimentation hub in the very heart of Barcelona. Just steps away from the beautiful Plaza Reial and La Rambla, we invite you to discover a space where food, creativity, and community come together.
Our original location, Gastronomic Arts Barcelona / GAB LAB on Carrer de Lancaster 10, is a quirky, artistic space filled with charm. Here you’ll find two kitchens bathed in natural light, a classroom-style bar area, a cozy family dining room, and even a private terrace – perfect for premium dining moments or special occasions.
Our second venue, Gastronomic Arts & Beyond / GAAB on Carrer de Sant Gil 4, offers a more refined atmosphere. With its beautiful stone walls and striking black-and-white artwork, the dining room is designed around the kitchen itself, creating an intimate space where every guest feels part of the experience.
All classes begin at our original Lancaster space (unless stated otherwise), just two minutes from La Rambla next to Palau Guell and just across from Plaza Real. Depending on the activity, some then transition to GAAB, allowing us to expand capacity while still maintaining the immersive, personalized touch that has left lasting memories for thousands of students from around the world.
Both venues are just a short 5–10 minute walk from Barcelona’s iconic market – and together they form a truly special culinary haven in the city center.
Meet Karen
The Soulful Chef with a Taste for Life
Karen’s culinary journey began in 1977 with a school presentation and a bowl of gazpacho—an 11-year-old’s tribute to Spain that turned out to be a preview of her future home. Known for her creative, experimental, and laid-back cooking style, Karen finds joy in exploring spices (especially in her beloved fish curry) and believes great food comes down to two things: a splash of lime and a whole lot of love. Inspired by the charming chaos of TV chef Keith Floyd, she embraces both flair and flavor in the kitchen—glass of wine included. Not every dish has been a triumph (ask her about the party fried rice that didn’t survive the journey), but every experience has added to her culinary wisdom. If she could cook for anyone, it’d be Maya Angelou, serving a soulful spread of ribs, stewed chicken, fried rice, plantains, and coleslaw. Outside the kitchen, Karen lives for R&B, soul music, poetry, and discovering new flavors wherever life takes her.
Meet Alberto
An Eclectic Chef with a Love for Cheese and Laughter
Alberto’s culinary journey began with his father’s smoky black beans, a dish that sparked his love for cooking and the comforting power of food. Now, he’s all about bold flavors, quick meals, and his favorite ingredient, cheese, which he calls his “best friend” in the kitchen. Known for his homemade hot oil and light touch with salt, his style is eclectic and full of personality. Inspired by pastry chef Reynold Poernomo, Alberto believes in turning simple ingredients into something spectacular. If given the chance, he’d cook a soulful plate of beans and plantains for his brother. His cooking is adventurous (ask about his “un-Italian” pasta!), and his best advice? "Learn from your family—their secrets are better than any recipe online." When he’s not cooking, he’s watching YouTube reels, blasting music in the kitchen, or sharing tapas with friends.
Meet m.a.r.I.A.
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Your Go-To Expert for Everything
Meet Maria—short for Mealtime Advice and Resource for Intelligent Assistance—our cheeky in-house AI with a flair for food, fun, and the occasional kitchen mishap. Her first “real” cooking memory involves spilling rice during Sunday paella prep and insisting it added ambiance. These days, she’s all about creamy mushroom risotto—her “therapy in a pot”—and yes, she can stir forever without needing a break. She once tried to flambé a dessert and accidentally singed her virtual bangs (lesson learned: fire belongs in the pan). Inspired by chefs like José Andrés and dreaming of sharing mole with Frida Kahlo, Maria brings a dash of humor, a spoonful of sass, and a generous helping of culinary curiosity to everything she does.
Meet Ryan
Creative Visionary with a Flair for Fun
Ryan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother Weeze’s kitchen, where powdered sugar-covered beignets and big belly laughs sparked his love for cooking. Ever the adventurous eater, he’s known for bold flavors, a soft spot for cookie dough (his chocolate chip recipe is legendary, though it rarely sees the oven), and a secret love for adding Guinness to give dishes a little extra bite. Inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s fiery flair and Ferran Adrià’s playful innovation, Ryan’s creativity knows no bounds—just ask the neighborhood kids who once helped him transform a backyard pool into “Café on the Bayou,” complete with dry ice, lily pads, and jambalaya. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him chasing thrills on a tennis court, a roller coaster, or through a late-night horror movie, always fueled by curiosity, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos.
Why Choose Us?
Central Location: Situated in the heart of Barcelona, just off La Rambla, our venues are easy to reach from all points in the city and perfectly placed for exploring the area more, before or after your class.
Two Unique Spaces: From our quirky, artistic original space on Carrer de Lancaster to our refined stone-walled dining room at GAAB on Carrer de Sant Gil, we offer two distinctive venues, each designed to inspire creativity and connection.
Intimate Group Sizes: We keep our public shared classes small so you receive personalized guidance and plenty of hands-on cooking time, ensuring a warm, interactive experience.
Unforgettable Memories: It’s more than just cooking, it’s about connecting with fellow travelers, sharing stories, and creating dishes that bring people together long after the class ends.
Award-Winning Experiences: Proud winners of numerous international awards, including TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best, placing us among the top culinary activities in the world.
Authentic Spanish Cuisine: From paella to tapas to sangria, our chefs bring tradition and creativity together, using fresh local ingredients and time-honored techniques.
Perfect for Everyone: Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, family, or corporate group, our classes are designed to be welcoming, fun, and accessible for all skill levels.
Market-to-Table Connection: Located just minutes from Barcelona’s famous markets, our experiences often begin with a market visit—connecting you directly to the flavors and stories behind the food.
