Kent · England
Paella Catering in Colt's Hill
Planning paella catering in Colt's Hill? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Community events and fairs
Paella catering for Colt's Hill events
About our paella catering in Colt's Hill
We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook the paella in front of your guests. Once it is ready, we serve it hot from the pan. On the menu are mixed paella, vegan paella and seafood paella, and typical bookings are for office lunches and staff parties and big birthdays.
In a hamlet or village like Colt's Hill, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Colt's Hill: venues, travel and local tips
Colt's Hill is about 4 miles south-east of Tonbridge, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the TN12 area, we’ll come to your venue or garden. We cater in all 922 towns and villages across Kent. You can also see our page for London, about 30 miles away.
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Capel Primary School, can book us as a food stall. Parks such as Foal Hurst Wood generally need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. Colt's Hill is within about 8 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cater events across TN12. Streets in the area include Colts Hill and Maidstone Road, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Other places close to Colt's Hill for paella catering include Capel (1 mile west), Five Oak Green (1 mile north), Paddock Wood (1 mile east), Matfield (1 mile south-east) and Whetsted (1 mile north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (10 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (11 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (5 miles south-west), Tonbridge (4 miles north-west), Kings Hill (7 miles north) and Foley Park (11 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Tonbridge Castle (4.1 miles north-west) and The Hop Farm Museum (2.3 miles north-east). The countryside around Colt's Hill includes Barden Lake and Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve.
- Nearby schools include Mascalls School (1.3 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Dovecote Inn (0.5 miles west)
Before you choose a spot
Every venue is different, so we will ask about yours when you contact us. Generally, we look for:
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Why choose live paella in Colt's Hill?
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in Colt's Hill. The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Give us your numbers and we’ll quote.
Why book with us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Served hot, straight from the pan
See Our prices page Or The cost guide.
How it works
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Around midsummer it stays light in Colt's Hill until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening events are generally served in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Let us know the timings for the day
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Read more
Prices and what affects them
These are the factors that matter most:
- How long we’re needed on site
- The paellas you choose
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How many guests are eating
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. We itemise ours.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The venue or postcode
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and rough timings
Not sure what you need yet? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we will make suggestions. Start when you’re ready: send us your details through our quote form.
Should I cook it myself?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
Questions from Colt's Hill
Can you cook in Foal Hurst Wood?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Do you come out to small places like Colt's Hill?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
What do you need at the venue?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, in the open air or a ventilated covered area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana, or you can serve your own cake.
How much does paella catering cost in Colt's Hill?
We quote for each event, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas for a clear quote.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
The menu, dish by dish
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan, and it is frequently the first pan to empty.
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. A few tips:
- Make sure each pan is labelled
- Mention any other courses or food
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
Organising for someone else?
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
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.
Also near Colt's Hill
What else we do in Colt's Hill
- 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