Kent · England
Live paella catering in Densole, Kent
We cook live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across Densole and Kent, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Milestone birthday parties
Paella catering near Densole
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Venues often have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Paella catering in Densole, made fresh on the day
The cooking is half the fun. Guests gather round as the sofrito sizzles and the saffron colours the rice, and the aroma does the rest. Whether it is leaving dos and retirements and birthday celebrations, we can cook chicken and chorizo paella, vegan paella and vegetable paella.
For a rural spot like Densole, the countryside is part of the appeal: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Tell us about access and the ground. You will know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose, with no surprises on the day.
Planning for every diet
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Count adults and children separately
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue does not provide them.
Nearby places to Densole
More for events in Densole
Paella catering around Densole
Densole is about 3 miles north of Folkestone, in Kent. We cook at events in gardens, halls and venues around Densole and nearby villages. Densole is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 11 miles away.
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Hawkinge Primary School, can book us as a food stall. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like St Luke's, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 3 miles of Densole, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours. The coast is within about 4 miles of Densole, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
For paella catering in CT18, we plan around your venue. From St John's Close, St John's Way and Canterbury Road or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Hawkinge (1 mile south), Swingfield Minnis (1 mile north), Old Hawkinge (2 miles south-east), Arpinge (2 miles south-west) and Selsted (2 miles north). Larger places within reach include Ashford (13 miles west), Canterbury (11 miles north), Dover (6 miles east), Folkestone (3 miles south), Deal (12 miles north-east) and Hythe (5 miles south-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (2.7 miles south-west) and Folkestone Castle (2.1 miles south). The countryside around Densole includes Cheriton Hill.
Events we cater in Densole
People book live paella because it is food and entertainment at once. The pans become a focal point, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. In Densole, people book us for occasions like:
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Milestone birthday parties
- Community events and fairs
Historic houses near Densole include Acrise Place (1.2 miles north-west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What to look for in a quote
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
- When payment is due
- Whether travel is included
DIY paella versus live catering
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 be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
The process
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. Planning an evening event in Densole? Sunset is around 8:45pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and how many.
- Expect a menu idea and a clear, itemised price.
- 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.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
To get a price, use our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Related guides
The menu, dish by dish
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is typically served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, not seafood. It is often the most popular pan at an event.
Before you choose a spot
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Menu ideas
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
Densole questions
Is Densole close to London?
About 60 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you cook near the sea around Densole?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
How much space do you need?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, and the venue’s permission for live cooking.
What is live paella catering?
We set up a cooking area at your venue, cook the paella from scratch in large pans while your guests watch, and serve it straight from the pan.
What if the weather’s bad?
We need a covered spot, like a gazebo or open-sided marquee. We will agree a wet-weather plan with you.
What seafood can we have?
We will talk through seafood options when we plan your menu.
Will there be enough food?
We plan quantities from your guest numbers, timings and other courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why Densole hosts choose us
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Events in Densole and across Kent
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- 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