Kent
Paella catering in Canterbury
Live paella cooked from scratch at your event in Canterbury: weddings, parties, corporate events and festivals, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Cooked live in giant pans
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free & halal
- Tapas, desserts & sangria
Live paella catering in Canterbury
Live paella at your event in Canterbury
We bring live paella catering to weddings, birthdays, garden parties, offices and festivals across Canterbury and the surrounding area. We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients, set up a cooking area and cook from scratch while your guests watch. When it’s ready, we serve it straight from the pan, hot and generous.
Most events have two or three paellas, so meat eaters, seafood lovers, vegetarians and vegans can all eat together. Tapas and canapés, desserts, sangria, bar staff, waiting staff and crockery can be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
Kent weddings, gardens and the coast
Canterbury is a cathedral city at the heart of Kent, with orchards, farms and barn venues around it and the coast at Whitstable and Herne Bay a short drive away. That mix of farm venues, gardens and seaside towns suits live paella, from weddings to beach-hut-style summer parties.
Tell us the venue or postcode when you ask for a quote and we’ll confirm travel and timings.
What we cater in Canterbury
- Live paella catering: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans at your event, served straight from the pan.
- Wedding paella catering: canapé tapas, a sharing paella wedding breakfast, evening food and desserts.
- Paella party catering: birthdays, garden parties, anniversaries, christenings and private celebrations.
- Corporate paella catering: staff parties, office lunches, team days, launches and client events.
- Festival & event paella: paella street food for festivals, fairs and markets, plus crew and VIP catering.
- Tapas & canapé catering: canapés with drinks, table tapas to share, and sharing boards for evening guests.
On the menu
Paella Valenciana, seafood, mixed, chicken and chorizo, vegetable, vegan and black rice paellas; tapas such as patatas bravas, tortilla, gambas al ajillo and croquetas; and desserts such as churros. See the sample menu.
How it works
- Tell us about your event. The date, venue or postcode, guest numbers, the kind of event and any dietary needs.
- Get a menu and a quote. We suggest paellas and any tapas, desserts, drinks and staff, and spell out what’s included.
- Plan the day. We agree arrival, cooking and serving times, and check the space, access and parking.
- Watch it cook. We set up and cook from scratch in front of your guests; the rice takes about 20 minutes once it goes in.
- Serve and clear. Paella is served straight from the pan, and we pack down our cooking area afterwards.
Prices for events in Canterbury
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. The price depends on guest numbers, the menu and courses, staff and extras such as crockery, and travel and parking. Read what paella catering costs or see how we price.
Live paella or something else?
Compared with a hog roast or barbecue, live paella is easier for vegetarian, vegan and halal guests, because each paella has its own pan, and it’s served quickly from the pan, so queues move. Compared with a plated meal, it needs no kitchen and fewer staff, and it gives guests something to watch. It does need a level, ventilated space and the venue’s permission for cooking.
Planning an event in Canterbury
- Fix the date and venue first. Ask the venue about outside caterers and live cooking before you book anyone.
- Collect numbers and diets. Add a question about dietary needs and allergies to your invitation or sign-up form, and count children separately.
- Choose the courses. Paella on its own, or with canapés, table tapas and dessert. Decide whether you need crockery and staff.
- Plan for the weather. Agree a covered, ventilated cooking spot and somewhere dry for guests to queue and eat.
- Share the timings. Tell us when you want to eat, and about any speeches or fixed breaks, so the paella is ready on time.
Menu ideas for Canterbury events
| Event | A typical menu |
|---|---|
| Garden party | Olives and bread, a chicken and chorizo paella and a vegetable paella, then churros |
| Wedding | Canapé tapas with the drinks, table tapas, three paellas for the wedding breakfast, your cake for dessert, and paella again for evening guests |
| Office lunch | A mixed paella and a vegan paella, served quickly from the pans, with bread and salad |
| Festival or fair | Seafood, chicken and vegan pans served in bowls, with churros for afters |
Every menu is put together for your event; these are just starting points.
Around Canterbury
The nearest railway station to the centre is Canterbury East station. Well-known places nearby include Whitefriars Shopping Centre (less than half a mile south-west), Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr (less than half a mile west) and Canterbury Roman Museum (less than half a mile south). Close to the centre are St Peter's Methodist Primary School, Barton Court Grammar School, Canterbury School of Architecture and Church of St Margaret. Green spaces within reach include Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
Areas we cover in and around Canterbury
Pick your area for local details, or send us your postcode.
- Adisham
- Barham
- Bekesbourne
- Bishopsbourne
- Blean
- Bossingham
- Boughton under Blean
- Bridge
- Broad Oak
- Broomhill
- Chartham
- Chartham Hatch
- Chestfield
- Chilham
- Eddington
- Fordwich
- Greenhill
- Hackington
- Hales Place
- Herne
- Herne Common
- Hersden
- Kingston
- Littlebourne
- Old Wives Lees
- Patrixbourne
- Petham
- Rough Common
- Seasalter
- Shalmsford Street
- Sturry
- Swalecliffe
- Thanington
- Tyler Hill
- Westbere
- Whitstable
- Wickhambreaux
- Wincheap
- Wingham
- Yorkletts
Towns near Canterbury
- Cooked live in giant pans at your event
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options
- Paella, tapas, canapés and desserts
- Sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff
Questions about paella catering in Canterbury
Do you cover Whitstable and Herne Bay?
Yes. We cover Canterbury, the coast and the rest of Kent.
Can you cater a farm or barn wedding?
Yes. Barns and farm venues are well suited to live paella, as long as there’s a ventilated spot to cook.
How much does paella catering cost in Canterbury?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event in Canterbury and we’ll send a quote with everything included spelled out.
What do you need at the venue?
A level space for the pans, burners and a serving table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
Can you cater for every diet?
Yes. We cook vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options, each in its own pan. Tell us about allergies when you book.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
What if it rains?
We cook under cover, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We’ll agree a wet-weather plan with you.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the pans, burners and ingredients. You provide a suitable spot and access, and tell us what the venue already has, such as tables or crockery.
Can we add tapas and desserts?
Yes. Canapé or table tapas, Spanish desserts, sangria, bar staff, crockery and waiting staff can all be added to your booking.
How do I get a quote?
Send us your date, venue or postcode, guest numbers and dietary needs through our quote form.
Page updated 23 October 2026.