Paella that is out of this world: Spain’s top chefs take space food to next level

Spanish chef José Andrés’ team spent more than a year developing the paella and another dish that were sent into space. Photograph: John Parra/Getty Images

When a trio of paying customers and their astronaut chaperone were blasted off to the International Space Station, their voyage was touted as a milestone for the commercialisation of spaceflight.

For the Michelin-starred Spanish chef José Andrés, however, the recently departed mission ushered in another – albeit more niche – breakthrough: the first time paella was sent into orbit.