Kent · England
Paella Catering for Crockenhill events
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Crockenhill and nearby, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Birthday celebrations
- Anniversary celebrations
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Paella catering near Crockenhill
Paella catering in Crockenhill, cooked live
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan paellas. Every pan is cooked on its own. Popular choices include paella Valenciana, black rice and mixed paella, and typical bookings are for community events and fairs and milestone birthday parties.
In a hamlet or village like Crockenhill, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
Common questions in Crockenhill
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
We are having a ceremony at Church of All Souls: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Indoors only where ventilation and the venue allow it. Most events have us cooking outside or in a doorway or courtyard.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans.
What seafood can we have?
We’ll talk through seafood options when we plan your menu, including premium options if you want them.
Is it really cooked live?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Do you bring everything you need?
We bring all the cooking equipment. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
How long do you need on site?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you.
The menu, dish by dish
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury, and is popular with adventurous guests.
How it works
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s served at its best. Around midsummer it stays light in Crockenhill until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, 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.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Get a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we will suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Dietary needs and planning tips
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Count adults and children separately
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
Once everyone is fed, we clear our cooking area.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further and suit guests who aren’t big rice eaters.
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Why choose live paella in Crockenhill?
Compared with a hog roast or barbecue, live paella is easier for vegetarian, vegan and halal guests, thanks to separate pans. Service from the pan keeps queues moving. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What you get with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- A quote that spells everything out
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Crockenhill: venues, travel and local tips
Crockenhill is about 2 miles east of Orpington, in Kent. For paella catering in Crockenhill, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Crockenhill is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is London, about 14 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Swanley station is about 0.8 miles away. For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of All Souls, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Crockenhill. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
This part of Kent takes in BR8, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Church Road, Old Chapel Road and Sounds Lodge or a nearby road, we will bring the pans to you. Nearby, we also cater events in Kevington (1 mile west), Swanley (1 mile north-east), Well Hill (2 miles south), Derry Downs (2 miles west) and Maypole (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Dartford (5 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (7 miles south), Gravesend (10 miles east), Tonbridge (14 miles south), Northfleet (9 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (13 miles south-east).
Other landmarks nearby include London Borough of Bromley Museum (2.5 miles west) and Orpington Hospital (3.2 miles south-west). Open spaces near Crockenhill include The Warren and Summer Hill.
- Schools near Crockenhill include Orchards Academy (1.1 miles north)
Also near Crockenhill
Also in Crockenhill
Where we can cook in Crockenhill
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
For event organisers in Crockenhill
If you are organising for someone else, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Why choose paella catering in Crockenhill?
Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
We are booked for all kinds of occasions in Crockenhill and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Summer garden parties
- Company summer parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Crockenhill Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Questions to ask before booking
- Allergen information for each dish
- The venue requirements
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- The deposit and payment dates
- 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