Kent · England
Live paella catering in Hillborough, Kent
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Hillborough. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Big birthdays
- Retirement and leaving parties
Paella catering for Hillborough events
Before you choose a spot
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We look for:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Vegetable paella
Paella catering in Hillborough, cooked live
There is something generous about paella: giant pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It makes the food an event in itself. On the menu are chicken and chorizo paella, mixed paella and vegetable paella, and we are frequently booked for office lunches and staff parties and community events and fairs.
Around Hillborough, events are often in gardens, local halls or nearby venues. If the road in is narrow, tell us so we can plan the van. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Why choose live paella in Hillborough?
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and it is entertaining too. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
Why book with us
- A clear, itemised quote
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Fast service from the pan
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Take a look at Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
The process
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook. Planning an evening event in Hillborough? Sunset is around 8:45pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; once it’s dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Related guides
For event organisers in Hillborough
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Catering for every guest
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Have seats for most of your guests
Paella is at its best straight from the pan, so we plan service for when guests are ready to eat.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago.
How we price paella catering
There is nothing hidden: the price is based on:
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
- The number of people
- The paellas you choose
The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Getting an accurate quote
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- The courses you’d like
- A photo of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- The date and rough timings
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Your questions about paella catering in Hillborough
Can you cook near the sea around Hillborough?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Is Hillborough close to London?
Roughly 55 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Do you do desserts?
We do. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is typically the most popular, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Where do you cater?
We cater across London and the South East, including Kent. See all areas.
What happens if it rains?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Can you cook indoors?
Mostly outside or under an open cover, since the burners are gas. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Of course. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, while the rice is cooking.
Hillborough: venues, travel and local tips
Hillborough is about 2 miles east of Herne Bay, in Kent. Give us the address of your event in Hillborough, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cook in 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 7 miles away.
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Reculver Church of England Primary School, can book us as a food stall. For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Mary the Virgin, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. Hillborough is within about 2 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
We cook at events all over CT6. That could mean an event in a garden on Manor Road, Puffin Road and Neville Road. Main roads around Hillborough include the A299, which makes travel to your event easy. Close by, we cover events in Hawthorn (1 mile south-east), Bishopstone (1 mile north), Beltinge (1 mile north-west), Broomfield (1 mile south-west) and Highstead (1 mile south). Further out, we also cater in Canterbury (7 miles south-west), Margate (9 miles east), Ramsgate (11 miles east), Broadstairs (11 miles east), Whitstable (6 miles west) and Deal (14 miles south-east).
Well-known places in the area include Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (5.2 miles west). Not far away are West Blean and Thornden Woods.
- Pubs nearby include The Huntsman And Horn Public House (0.8 miles south-west)
Also near Hillborough
Also in Hillborough
Who books paella catering in Hillborough?
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Retirement celebrations
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Garden get-togethers
For guests coming by train, Herne Bay station is about 2.2 miles away.
Comparing caterers
- Staff numbers and hours
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- Whether travel is included
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- 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