Spanish influence opens up Ferguson Valley

As the weather heats up, so are the pans of Mon Barrero and Laura McGinlay as they cook up a storm at their Food With Passion traditional Spanish cooking classes.

The two friends both relocated from Spain to Bunbury to find Australians loved one of their traditional dishes – paella.

The pair met with Green Door Wines – who are known for their Spanish influence – to get classes up and running.

Mrs Barrero said the idea was to offer a new tourist attraction in the Ferguson Valley and the South West.

“At our last course we met people from Perth and it was the first time they had come to the Ferguson Valley,” she said.

“They didn’t even know about the valley, so for them it was amazing to discover it through the course. It’s more than just a cooking course, it’s about meeting people, making new friends and tasting delicious wine.”

The three-hour course teaches participants how to make authentic Spanish paella, crispy churros and traditional sangria, using local ingredients.

The next class will take place on December 3, with more information available at the Food With Passion SW Facebook page.