Grandmother's Paella: Science Fiction

Grandmother's paella was always rich and creamy, a savory concoction that made me think of old Spanish women passing along the correct way of cooking to their daughters and granddaughters, as they sat in the hacienda kitchen and watched every move of aged hands with great attention, knowing that a perfect paella might be their key to future happiness, and outside the caballeros whistled and sang as they worked under the hot Spanish sun. That is my idea. I have never been to Spain, and I never even saw the "Grandmother" that Grandmother's paella was made by. It was only ever a selection on the food menu, but when you have been kept in isolation--

Inspiration: A NYT.com article about a Spanish restaurant
Story Potential: Medium
Notes: Kept isolated for some reason from most people except for the chosen, designated ones, has no knowledge of family, has formed these bonds for ? Escapes, finds connections. Under the Tuscan Sun meets Alien Resurrection (OK, that pitch alone is making me want to rate this higher). Could be an okay YA book--isolation themes are really strong for adolescents.