Kent · England
Paella Catering for Bicknor events
Something for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Bicknor.
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Paella catering near Bicknor
Paella catering for your event in Bicknor
Paella was made for feeding a crowd: cooked in the open in a big, shallow pan and shared straight from it. That is what we bring to events in Bicknor. Popular choices include black rice, vegetable paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are regularly asked to cater staff parties and work lunches and summer garden parties.
In a hamlet or village like Bicknor, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
Is live paella right for your event?
Next to a hog roast or barbecue, paella makes vegetarian, vegan and halal guests easier to cater for, because each paella has its own pan. It is served quickly from the pan, so queues move. Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What you get with us
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- A clear, itemised quote
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- We cover Bicknor and the whole of Kent
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
How the day works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. In Bicknor, the sun sets at about 9:15pm in late June and about 7:00pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:50pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and how many.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Preparing for the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Planning help
Catering an event in Bicknor
Bicknor is about 4 miles south-west of Sittingbourne, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Bicknor or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. We cater in 922 places across Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 18 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Hollingbourne station is about 2.8 miles away. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St James, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Bicknor is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cater events across the ME9 postcode area. Other places close to Bicknor for paella catering include Hucking (1 mile west), Wormshill (1 mile south-east), Broad Street (2 miles south-west), Hollingbourne (2 miles south-west) and Eyhorne Street (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (6 miles west), Ashford (14 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (4 miles north-east), Faversham (9 miles east), Minster (10 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Leeds Castle (3.7 miles south-west) and KIMS hospital (4.9 miles west). The countryside around Bicknor includes Detling Hill.
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Confirm allergies by email
Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving, which is when we typically call guests over.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
FAQs for Bicknor
Is Bicknor too small for live paella?
No, we cook in small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St James?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is generally elsewhere. Send us the reception address.
Which paellas suit our guests?
Two or three is usual: chicken or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. Our menu lists the options.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring the pans, burners and ingredients. You just need a suitable spot and access.
Is paella enough as a main?
Paella is a meal in itself. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
Can you bring crockery?
If you need them, yes. Crockery, cutlery and napkins, or good-quality disposables are available.
How much does paella catering cost in Bicknor?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Tell us your date and numbers for a clear quote.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
The menu, dish by dish
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, rather than seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who don’t eat fish.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, and a popular all-rounder.
What else we do in Bicknor
Where we can cook in Bicknor
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Somewhere close to park and unload
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
Perfect for your event in Bicknor
Outdoor events and live paella go together: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Naming days and family parties
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Historic houses near Bicknor include Leeds Castle (3.7 miles south-west) and Stoneacre (5 miles south-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
Questions to ask before booking
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- How late numbers can change
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How each diet is kept separate
- 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