The story begins in 1936 when our Spanish ancestors fled Spain. This historical period is called the Retirada, or the post-war Spanish Republican exile. Following the Civil War, many families fled to France. More than half a million Spaniards crossed the Pyrenees border, including members of our family. Uprooted in a matter of days, they were considered refugees by the French government. They had to adapt to the mixed reception they received upon arrival.

The origins of our family begin in this troubled period. Our ancestors experienced these weeks of waiting before being able to live and work in France. They settled in one of France’s Mediterranean departments. Our great-grandparents integrated by becoming farm workers. They obtained French nationality after several years and never returned to their native country. They passed on their Spanish values ​​to us, including the preparation of paellas. Subsequent generations have continued, and continue, to perpetuate this culinary know-how. For example, María Carmen, our great-grandmother, taught her recipes to our grandmother María Teresa, who, in turn, passed them on to us. We cook these popular Spanish dishes with family and friends.