Kent · England
Paella Catering in Hemsted
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Hemsted. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Company summer parties
- Leaving dos and retirements
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
Live paella catering in Hemsted
Why choose paella catering in Hemsted?
It’s ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, with guests mingling as it cooks and then sit down to share.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. People in Hemsted book us for events such as:
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Milestone birthday parties
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Naming days and family parties
Historic houses near Hemsted include Westenhanger Castle (3.1 miles south) and Acrise Place (3.4 miles east). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one.
What your quote should include
- When payment is due
- VAT, if it applies
- The deadline for final numbers
- Travel and parking costs
Paella catering in Hemsted, cooked live
One cooking area feeds plenty of people, there is very little waste, and the food is served hot. It is why live paella suits so many kinds of event. We are frequently asked to cater naming days and family parties and milestone birthday parties, with paella Valenciana, mixed paella and vegan paella.
In a small place like Hemsted, events are normally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we will plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and a queue moves quickly.
Planning the cooking area
Before the day, we’ll agree where we cook. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
Popular choices
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
What paella catering costs
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Parking and unloading
- Waiting and bar staff
- How long we are needed on site
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- The date and rough timings
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The address or venue name
- Anything your venue supplies
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
Catering an event in Hemsted
Hemsted is about 5 miles north of Hythe, in Kent. For paella catering in Hemsted, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Hemsted is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 10 miles away.
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Mary, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Westenhanger station, about 2.9 miles south. Hemsted is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, 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. Hemsted is within about 5 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
Anywhere in CT18, we can bring paella catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Other places close to Hemsted for paella catering include Woodland (1 mile south-east), Skeete (1 mile south), Stowting (1 mile west), Rhodes Minnis (1 mile north-east) and Stowting Common (1 mile north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (8 miles west), Canterbury (10 miles north), Dover (11 miles east), Folkestone (6 miles south-east), Whitstable (15 miles north) and Faversham (14 miles north-west).
A little further out are Saltwood Castle (4 miles south) and Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (3.7 miles south-east). The countryside around Hemsted includes Hatch Park and Tolsford Hill.
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Hemsted: your questions answered
Is Hemsted close to London?
Roughly 56 miles from the centre of London.
Can you cook near the sea around Hemsted?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Which areas do you serve?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Hemsted.
Do you cater in Hemsted?
Yes, we do. We cook at events in Hemsted and across Kent. Send us your date to check availability.
Can we choose the seafood?
We’ll suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
What happens with live paella?
We cook from scratch at your venue in big pans, in front of your guests, and serve straight from the pan.
Do we need to provide equipment?
We bring all the cooking equipment. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
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.
Towns and villages near Hemsted
Other catering in Hemsted
Step by step
From set-up to serving, we look after the food, so you can enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Planning an evening event in Hemsted? 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.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- We set up, cook from scratch and keep an eye on your timings.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Preparing for the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Tell us when you want to eat
Ask for a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
Why choose live paella in Hemsted?
Compared with a hog roast or barbecue, paella makes vegetarian, vegan and halal guests easier to cater for, because each paella has its own pan. It is served quickly from the pan, so queues move. Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
Why Hemsted hosts choose us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Catering across Kent, including Hemsted
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
See How we price Or The cost guide.
A closer look at the menu
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in Hemsted? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
- 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