Kent · England
Live paella catering in Farthingloe, Kent
Looking for paella catering in Farthingloe? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
Book paella catering in Farthingloe
Paella catering in Farthingloe, cooked live
A single cooking set-up can feed a crowd, very little goes to waste, and the food is served hot. It is why live paella suits so many kinds of event. We’re often asked to cater retirement celebrations and anniversary celebrations, with seafood paella, vegan paella and mixed paella.
In a rural place like Farthingloe, the setting does a lot of the work: a paella cooking in a garden or field feels right at home. Let us know about access and ground conditions. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
Space, weather and the venue
If a space isn’t suitable, we’ll tell you, and suggest an alternative. What matters most:
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
What’s in the pans
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together, and a popular all-rounder.
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, rather than seafood. It is frequently the most popular pan at an event.
How we price paella catering
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- How many staff you need
- Distance and access to the venue
- Your choice of paellas
- How many courses
Larger events normally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what’s useful:
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Expected numbers
- The address or venue name
- Any dietary needs and allergies
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. For a quote, use our quote form.
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. Evenings in Farthingloe stay light until about 9:15pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:00pm; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- Send us your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
How to get a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Planning help
Questions from Farthingloe
Can you cook near the sea around Farthingloe?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Could we have live paella in Whinless Down?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
How does live paella catering work?
We cook from scratch at your venue in big pans, in front of your guests, and serve straight from the pan.
Is paella enough as a main?
It can be. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can we choose the seafood?
Tell us your preferences and we’ll suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
How much does paella catering cost in Farthingloe?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
Why choose live paella in Farthingloe?
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs only a level, ventilated spot and permission to cook, and gives guests something to watch. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Fast service from the pan
Read Our pricing Or Our guide to catering costs.
Places near Farthingloe
What else we do in Farthingloe
Dietary needs and planning tips
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Request clear labels at the serving table
Any staff you book serve and clear, so you can enjoy your guests.
Add canapé tapas with the drinks or table tapas as a starter while the paella cooks.
Why choose paella catering in Farthingloe?
Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, which is why it works for so many occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Summer garden parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Festivals, fairs and school events
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Aycliffe Church Centre, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
What your quote should include
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- The wet-weather plan
Farthingloe: venues, travel and local tips
Farthingloe is about 2 miles south-west of Dover, in Kent. From the centre of Farthingloe to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Farthingloe is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 14 miles away.
Parks such as Whinless Down usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. For guests coming by train, Dover Priory station is about 1.3 miles away. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Farthingloe, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking. Farthingloe is within about 2 miles of the sea, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
This part of Kent takes in CT15. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Maxton (1 mile north-east), Aycliffe (1 mile south-east), Church Hougham (1 mile west), Dover (2 miles north-east) and West Hougham (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (14 miles north-west), Folkestone (5 miles south-west), Deal (9 miles north-east), Hythe (9 miles west), Walmer (8 miles north-east) and Hawkinge (5 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include Buckland Hospital (1.2 miles north-east) and Old Town Gaol (1.6 miles north-east). Open spaces near Farthingloe include Dover Western Heights and Sugar Loaf Hill.
- Nearby schools include Astor College for the Arts (0.8 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include Crown & Sceptre pub (0.8 miles north-east)
- 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