Kent · England
Paella Catering for Appledore events
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across Appledore and Kent, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Milestone birthday parties
Paella catering in Appledore
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Send allergies to us in writing
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and keep in touch with you or your venue about timings.
Sangria and bar staff can be added for your own drinks.
Paella catering in Appledore, cooked live
The cooking is half the fun. Guests gather round as the sofrito sizzles and the saffron colours the rice, and the smell does the rest. For christenings and family gatherings and garden get-togethers, we’ll put together a menu of vegan paella, paella Valenciana and mixed paella.
In a hamlet or village like Appledore, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated.
Paella catering around Appledore
Appledore is about 8 miles south-west of Ashford, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the TN26 area, we can bring the pans to you. Appledore is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 21 miles away.
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. Historic houses near Appledore include Smallhythe Place (3.9 miles west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. The coast is within about 6 miles of Appledore, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
For paella catering in TN26, we plan around your venue. From The Street, Old Way and Court Lodge Road or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. For events just outside Appledore, we cover Appledore Heath (1 mile north), Stone in Oxney (1 mile south-west), Reading Street (2 miles west), Stone Corner (3 miles west) and Brattle (3 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (8 miles north-east), Hythe (13 miles east), Tenterden (5 miles north-west), Kennington (10 miles north-east), New Romney (7 miles south-east) and Staplehurst (14 miles north-west).
A little further out are Brenzett Aeronautical Museum (3.6 miles south-east). Open spaces near Appledore include Orlestone Forest.
For event organisers in Appledore
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we will agree where we cook. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
On the menu in Appledore
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
Appledore questions
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Which station should guests use for Appledore?
The closest is Appledore (Kent) station, roughly 1.3 miles away.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we can plan it carefully.
What seafood can we have?
Tell us your preferences and we will suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
How much does paella catering cost in Appledore?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Why choose live paella in Appledore?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why us?
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Take a look at How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
What happens on the day
Expect a friendly, organised team. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up the pans and burners, and cook and serve without fuss. Around midsummer it stays light in Appledore until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
How to get a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Appledore, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Planning help
Nearby places to Appledore
More for events in Appledore
Perfect for your event in Appledore
People book live paella because it’s food and entertainment at once. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Appledore and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Community events and fairs
For guests coming by train, Appledore (Kent) station is about 1.3 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- Payment terms and deposit
- The deadline for final numbers
- Allergen information for each dish
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
What’s in the pans
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea, and is popular with adventurous guests.
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a proper main dish. Vegan versions use plant-based stock.
- 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