Kent · England
Paella Catering in Clap Hill
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Clap Hill and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
Live paella catering in Clap Hill
Catering an event in Clap Hill
Clap Hill is about 4 miles south-east of Ashford, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Clap Hill or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Clap Hill is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Clap Hill to Canterbury (about 14 miles away).
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Aldington Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. Nearby historic houses include Westenhanger Castle (4.1 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Clap Hill is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Paella catering in TN25 is planned around your venue and your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Aldington (1 mile south-east), Stonestreet Green (1 mile east), Bonnington (1 mile south-west), Aldington Frith (1 mile west) and Postling Green (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (4 miles north-west), Canterbury (14 miles north-east), Folkestone (10 miles east), Faversham (15 miles north), Hythe (6 miles east) and Preston (15 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Lympne Castle (4.1 miles south-east) and William Harvey Hospital (3.3 miles north). The countryside around Clap Hill includes Hatch Park.
- Local pubs include Walnut Tree Inn (within half a mile south-east)
How our paella catering works in Clap Hill
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: paella on its own, or with canapés, table tapas, desserts and sangria. We will recommend what fits your event. Whether it’s christenings and family gatherings and staff parties and work lunches, we will put together a menu of mixed paella, chicken and chorizo paella and black rice and more.
In a small place like Clap Hill, events are generally 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. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
How it works
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. When service is finished, we pack down. Around midsummer it stays light in Clap Hill 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, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- You get a suggested menu and an itemised quote.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- The paella cooks in front of your guests, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Read more
Why choose live paella in Clap Hill?
Next to a hog roast or barbecue, paella makes vegetarian, vegan and halal guests easier to cater for, thanks to separate pans. Service from the pan keeps queues moving. Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, because it needs no kitchen and fewer staff. Ask us for a quote.
What you get with us
- Events in Clap Hill and across Kent
- A quote that spells everything out
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Perfect for your event in Clap Hill
There’s no kitchen needed, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Clap Hill book us for occasions like:
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Birthday celebrations
- Retirement and leaving parties
Parks such as Poulton Wood generally need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there.
What to look for in a quote
- Whether VAT is included
- How long the team stays
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Travel and parking costs
Working with your venue
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Tell us how long you have for food.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we’ll talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
What we need at the venue
We will be honest if a space will not work. What matters most:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Clap Hill
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It’s generally the most photographed pan.
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is normally served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Here’s how:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
- Tell us what else is being served
After service, we pack down our cooking area, quietly and quickly.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
Clap Hill: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Poulton Wood?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
What’s the nearest station to Clap Hill for guests?
Ham Street station, about 4.1 miles south-west of the centre.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes, and they’re popular with everyone. They have their own pans, stock and spoons.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Does paella work for big events?
Yes. Big pans feed a lot of people, and service from the pan is quick.
Are premium seafood options available?
Tell us your preferences and we will suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
Nearby places to Clap Hill
More for events in Clap Hill
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
- 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