Kent · England
Paella Catering in Harrietsham
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event turns food into part of your event in Harrietsham.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Birthday celebrations
Planning an event in Harrietsham?
How our paella catering works in Harrietsham
A couple of different pans covers everyone: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Each is cooked separately. Whether it’s festivals, fairs and school events and anniversaries and engagement parties, we will put together a menu of mixed paella, vegetable paella and paella Valenciana.
In and around Harrietsham, gardens and local halls are common choices. If access is tight, we’ll plan around it. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
What affects the price in Harrietsham
There’s nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- Guest numbers
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- Waiting and bar staff
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- Where the event is
- Expected numbers
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Your date and when you want to eat
Still deciding on the menu? No problem: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we will suggest a menu. Start when you are ready: fill in our quote form.
Organising for someone else?
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
Planning live paella in Harrietsham
Harrietsham is about 7 miles east of Maidstone, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the ME17 area, we can cook for your guests. We cater in all 922 towns and villages in Kent. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 18 miles away.
Historic houses near Harrietsham include Leeds Castle (2.2 miles west) and Stoneacre (4.4 miles west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Harrietsham is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cover events in every part of the ME17 postcode area. Your event could be at a home on Church Road, Station Road and Norris Walk. Close by, we cover events in Marley (1 mile east), Pollhill (1 mile west), Chegworth (1 mile west), Sandway (1 mile south-east) and Platt's Heath (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (7 miles west), Ashford (11 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (7 miles north), Faversham (10 miles north-east), Minster (13 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles west).
A little further out are The Dog Collar Museum (2.1 miles west) and Leeds Castle (2.2 miles west).
- Nearby schools include The Lenham School (1.4 miles east)
- Pubs nearby include The Roebuck Public House (under half a mile west)
Perfect for your event in Harrietsham
It needs no kitchen, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where plated meals are hard.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Harrietsham and nearby. Popular bookings include:
- Summer garden parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Birthday celebrations
- Community events and fairs
For guests coming by train, Harrietsham has its own station, Harrietsham station.
What your quote should include
- The deposit and payment dates
- A clear list of what’s included
- If the price includes VAT
- Space, access and power needs
What’s in the pans
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea.
Places near Harrietsham
Other catering in Harrietsham
Harrietsham: your questions answered
Can you cook at venues 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.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can we choose the seafood?
Tell us your preferences and we’ll suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Do you do starters?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
How much does paella catering cost in Harrietsham?
The price depends on numbers, menu, courses, staff and travel. Send us the details for a quote.
What space do you need to cook?
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.
Can you bring crockery?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
How the day works
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it is served at its best. Evenings in Harrietsham 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.
- You tell us the date, venue, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- We put together a menu and a clear quote.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The paella cooks in front of your guests, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Get a quote
Every event is quoted individually, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, use our quote form.
Related guides
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Live paella or other catering?
Vans serve one order at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, so everyone can eat at the same time. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. We itemise everything in your quote.
Why book with us
- Drinks service on request
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- 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