Kent · England
Live paella catering in Kingsdown, Kent
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Kingsdown: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, in full view of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
Planning an event in Kingsdown?
About our paella catering in Kingsdown
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. On the menu are vegetable paella, chicken and chorizo paella and paella Valenciana, and typical bookings are for naming days and family parties and big birthdays.
There may be a hall or club near Kingsdown if your garden is small; live paella can work at any of them, given permission and outdoor space. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
Occasions we cook for in Kingsdown
Live paella is food and a show in one. The cooking becomes the centre of the event, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Milestone birthday parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Christenings and family gatherings
Historic houses near Kingsdown include Walmer Castle (1 mile north). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What your quote should include
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How many staff are coming, and for how long
- Space, access and power needs
- How bad weather is handled
Step by step
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Around midsummer it stays light in Kingsdown until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:50pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive early to set up the burners and pans.
- The paella cooks as guests gather round.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Ask for a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your event in Kingsdown, and we will put together a menu and price.
Related guides
Paella compared with other options
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is cooked as one big dish and served together. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why book with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Fast service from the pan
Read How we price Or The cost guide.
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
A rich seafood stock with prawns, mussels and squid, cooked until the rice is golden. It is typically the most photographed pan.
Vegetable and vegan paella
A vegetable paella is not an afterthought: artichokes, beans, peppers and saffron.
Kingsdown: venues, travel and local tips
Kingsdown is about 2 miles south of Deal, in Kent. We cater events at homes, gardens and venues in Kingsdown and the surrounding area. Kingsdown is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Kingsdown to Canterbury (15 miles away).
For a christening or wedding at a church such as St. John the Evangelist, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Kingsdown and Ringwould CofE Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. Kingsdown is within about 3 miles of the sea, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Sea breezes can be strong, so we plan a sheltered cooking spot.
We cover events in every part of CT14. From King's Close, Clim Down and The Rise or a nearby road, we can cook there. Close by, we cover events in Ringwould (1 mile west), Martin Mill (2 miles south-west), Martin (2 miles west), Sutton (2 miles west) and St Margaret's at Cliffe (3 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Canterbury (15 miles north-west), Margate (13 miles north), Dover (5 miles south-west), Folkestone (12 miles south-west), Ramsgate (11 miles north) and Broadstairs (12 miles north).
Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (5.6 miles south-west) and Kent Museum of the Moving Image (2.6 miles north).
- Nearby schools include Goodwin Academy (2 miles north)
- Nearby, you will find Kings Head pub (less than half a mile south-east)
Your questions about paella catering in Kingsdown
We are having a ceremony at St. John the Evangelist: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
What’s the nearest station to Kingsdown for guests?
Walmer station, about 1.3 miles north-west of the centre.
Will there be enough food?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Give us accurate numbers for the best result.
Is paella a full meal?
Yes. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main, and tapas or dessert can be added.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Can you cook in the rain?
A covered, ventilated spot keeps us cooking in the rain. We’ll make a plan B with you.
Can we choose the seafood?
We’ll talk through seafood options when we plan your menu, including premium options if you want them.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so it pays to ask early.
What affects the price in Kingsdown
These are the factors that matter most:
- Timings and hours
- Travel, parking and access
- How many staff you need
- How many courses
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- The courses you’d like
- Where the event is
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of where we’d cook
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Confirm allergies by email
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
- Collect dietary needs with your RSVPs
- Request clear labels at the serving table
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we typically call guests over.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal.
Can I cook paella for a crowd 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 at scale is tricky. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Nearby places to Kingsdown
Other catering in Kingsdown
Planners, venues and businesses
Hosting a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Kingsdown? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
- 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