Kent · England
Paella Catering for Hawkhurst events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Hawkhurst. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
Planning an event in Hawkhurst?
For event organisers in Hawkhurst
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, 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.
Paella catering in Hawkhurst, made fresh on the day
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. For naming days and family parties and leaving dos and retirements, we’ll put together a menu of vegetable paella, mixed paella and black rice for your guests.
For a place the size of Hawkhurst, your own garden is often the best venue: no hire fees, and live paella feeds everyone without anyone stuck in the kitchen. Tell us about access down the lane or drive. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
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’ll do the cooking.
Nearby places to Hawkhurst
What else we do in Hawkhurst
Catering for every guest
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because every paella has its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Tell us what else is being served
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
Once everyone is fed, we clear our cooking area, quietly and quickly.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, not seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who do not eat fish.
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together, and it’s frequently the first pan to empty.
What paella catering costs
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, depending on:
- Travel, parking and access
- How many staff you need
- The length of service
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Where the event is
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Any dietary needs and allergies
Thinking about paella catering for your event in Hawkhurst? Send us the details and we’ll come back with ideas and a quote. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Live paella in Hawkhurst: local details
Hawkhurst is about 12 miles south-east of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. From the centre of Hawkhurst to the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Hawkhurst is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 29 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Etchingham station is about 4 miles away. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of All Saints, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Hawkhurst is within about 4 miles of the High Weald National Landscape, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Here we cover the TN18 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on High Street, Barretts Road and Norris Close or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Beal's Green (1 mile north), Pipsden (1 mile east), The Moor (1 mile south-west), Gill's Green (1 mile north) and Little Conghurst (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (15 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (12 miles north-west), Tonbridge (14 miles north-west), Paddock Wood (10 miles north-west), Tenterden (8 miles east) and Southborough (13 miles north-west).
Other landmarks nearby include Ticehurst House Hospital (4.9 miles west).
- Nearby schools include Marlborough House School (0.5 miles west)
- Local pubs include The Queen's Hotel (under half a mile south-east)
Your questions about paella catering in Hawkhurst
Can you cook in Collingwood Nature Reserve?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
We’re having a ceremony at Church of All Saints: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
How much space do you need?
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.
What is live paella catering?
We cook from scratch at your venue in big pans, in front of your guests, and serve straight from the pan.
What seafood can we have?
We will suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We’ll check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. We cook vegetarian and vegan paellas in their own pans.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Space, weather and the venue
No two venues are the same, so we will ask about yours before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Somewhere close to park and unload
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Hawkhurst
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
Perfect for your event in Hawkhurst
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.
Whatever the occasion, live paella can be the centrepiece. We regularly cater:
- Big birthdays
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Collingwood Nature Reserve? Public parks normally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether travel is included
- Staff numbers and hours
- If the price includes VAT
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. Planning an evening event in Hawkhurst? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- We start with a few details 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.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
Get a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Read more
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