Kent · England
Live paella catering in Hythe, Kent
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 makes the food a highlight of your event in Hythe.
- Milestone birthday parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
Paella catering for Hythe events
Hythe: your questions answered
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Wind is the main issue on the coast, so we plan shelter.
Could we have live paella in Oaklands Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, generally the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes, that’s what it’s made for. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will talk it through before the day.
What equipment do you bring?
All cooking kit comes with us. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Tell us what else is being served. See how much paella per person.
Do you offer halal options?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
Paella catering in Hythe, made fresh on the day
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field in and around Hythe. Popular choices include black rice, chicken and chorizo paella and paella Valenciana, and we are frequently booked for christenings and family gatherings and company summer parties.
A town like Hythe gives you plenty of options: a garden, a club, a hall or a hired venue. We will agree the cooking spot beforehand. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
What we need at the venue
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We look for:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
Is live paella right for your event?
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why us?
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Fast service from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
What’s in the pans
Mixed paella
A mix of chicken and seafood, and a popular all-rounder.
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea.
Who books paella catering in Hythe?
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Anniversary celebrations
- Milestone birthday parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Oaklands Park? Public parks typically need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first.
Before you book anyone
- When final numbers are due
- The venue requirements
- How long the team stays
- How bad weather is handled
Places near Hythe
What else we do in Hythe
What happens on the day
Expect a friendly, organised team. Arrival and serving times are agreed beforehand, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. In Hythe, the sun sets at about 9:15pm in late June and about 7:00pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:50pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Choose a level spot for the cooking area
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Check the venue allows live cooking
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or CT21 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. Just use our quote form.
Related guides
For event organisers in Hythe
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Catering an event in Hythe
Hythe is about 4 miles west of Folkestone, in Kent. For paella catering in Hythe, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices in and around Hythe. Hythe is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 14 miles away.
Nearby historic houses include Westenhanger Castle (2.7 miles north-west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Hythe Bay CofE Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. Hythe is within about 6 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. Hythe is within about a mile of the sea, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
Anywhere in CT21, we can bring paella catering to you. We can cater an event on streets such as High Street, Church Road and Station Road. You will find Hythe on the A259 and A261, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. We also cook at events in Saltwood (1 mile north), Sandling (1 mile north-west), Pedlinge (1 mile north-west), Palmarsh (2 miles south-west) and West Hythe (2 miles west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (10 miles north-west), Canterbury (14 miles north), Dover (11 miles north-east), Folkestone (4 miles east), Tower Hamlets (10 miles north-east) and Hawkinge (4 miles north-east).
A little further out are Saltwood Castle (0.7 miles north) and Royal Victoria Hospital (4.1 miles east). The countryside around Hythe includes Tolsford Hill.
- Schools near Hythe include Brockhill Park Performing Arts College (0.9 miles north-west)
- Pubs nearby include Red Lion Public House (less than half a mile south-west)
Planning for every diet
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Confirm allergies by email
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we normally call guests over.
Need plates or staff? We can provide 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