Kent · England
Live paella catering in Chillenden, Kent
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Chillenden: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Naming days and family parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
Paella catering in Chillenden
Paella catering around Chillenden
Chillenden is about 6 miles west of Deal, in Kent. From the centre of Chillenden to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cover all 922 towns and villages in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 8 miles away.
If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Goodnestone Church of England Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of All Saints, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Here we cover the CT3 postcode area. For events just outside Chillenden, we cover Goodnestone (1 mile north-west), Nonington (1 mile south-west), Heronden (2 miles east), Barnsole (2 miles north) and Hammill Park (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (8 miles west), Margate (11 miles north-east), Dover (7 miles south), Folkestone (11 miles south), Ramsgate (10 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (12 miles north-east).
Open spaces near Chillenden include Monk's Wall nature reserve.
About our paella catering in Chillenden
One cooking area feeds a lot of people, very little goes to waste, and the food arrives hot. It is why live paella suits so many kinds of event. We are often asked to cater summer garden parties and weddings and evening receptions, serving black rice, paella Valenciana and vegetable paella.
In a small place like Chillenden, events are normally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. Each paella is cooked from scratch on the day, not reheated, and served the moment it is ready.
About the dishes
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It is normally the most photographed pan.
Planners, venues and businesses
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We will provide any information the landowner or council asks for.
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Towns and villages near Chillenden
More for events in Chillenden
Step by step
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Around midsummer it stays light in Chillenden 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’s dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
We need only a few details to quote: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can use our quote form.
Related guides
Why choose live paella in Chillenden?
Barbecues cook in batches, so food comes off in waves. Paella is cooked as one big dish and served together. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why Chillenden hosts choose us
- Fast service from the pan
- A quote that spells everything out
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
Who books paella catering in Chillenden?
Live paella is made for outdoor events: it is cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Chillenden and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Big birthdays
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Aylesham station, about 1.9 miles west.
What your quote should include
- Whether VAT is included
- The wet-weather plan
- What the price includes, item by item
- The venue requirements
What affects the price in Chillenden
Every event is priced individually, based on a few main things:
- Parking and unloading
- The number of people
- How long we’re needed on site
- How many courses
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you only pay for what you want.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Expected numbers
- Which courses you have in mind
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
It is easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Chillenden: your questions answered
What’s the nearest station to Chillenden for guests?
Aylesham station, about 1.9 miles west of the centre.
Do you come out to small places like Chillenden?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
What happens if it rains?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We will make a plan B with you.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Where do you cater?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.
How much paella per person?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
How much does paella catering cost in Chillenden?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Tell us your date and numbers and we’ll reply with a price.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
Should I cook it myself?
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it is in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
- 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