Kent · England
Paella Catering for Larkfield events
Looking for paella catering in Larkfield? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Garden get-togethers
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Milestone birthday parties
Paella catering for Larkfield events
How our paella catering works in Larkfield
The cooking is half the fun. People drift over as the sofrito sizzles and the rice turns gold, and the aroma does the rest. We are frequently asked to cater leaving dos and retirements and weddings and evening receptions, serving paella Valenciana, mixed paella and black rice.
Somewhere like Larkfield, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Gates, verges and soft ground are worth mentioning when you enquire. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan.
What we need at the venue
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For big numbers or lots of diets, a caterer makes life easier, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. A big pan needs a burner that heats it evenly, and getting the rice right at scale is tricky. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Questions from Larkfield
Is Larkfield close to London?
Roughly 27 miles from the centre of London.
Is Larkfield too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes. We cook from scratch in large pans at your venue, where your guests can watch.
Do you do starters?
Yes, and it’s a popular combination. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Should we have more than one paella?
Most events have two or three: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will help you decide the split.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Very much so. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
Can the paella be cooked in a hall?
Typically we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, because we use gas burners. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
What else we do in Larkfield
Catering for every guest
Every guest is catered for, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal included. To make it work smoothly:
- Put allergy details in writing
- Make sure each pan is labelled
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Let us know about other food at the event
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Need plates or staff? We can provide them.
What affects the price in Larkfield
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Travel, parking and access
- Timings and hours
- Guest numbers
- Waiting and bar staff
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- The date and rough timings
- Which courses you have in mind
- Expected numbers
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Why choose paella catering in Larkfield?
Few dishes cope with mixed diets like paella, thanks to separate pans for each version. Nobody gets a token ‘special meal’.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Typical bookings include:
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of the Holy Trinity, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Comparing caterers
- Space, access and power needs
- Travel and parking costs
- How late numbers can change
- VAT, if it applies
Dishes our guests love
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Planning live paella in Larkfield
Larkfield is about 4 miles north-west of Maidstone, in Kent. For paella catering in Larkfield, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices in and around Larkfield. Larkfield is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is London, about 27 miles away.
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Brookfield Junior School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. Parks such as Leybourne Lakes Country Park typically need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there.
Wherever your event is in ME20 and ME19, we can bring paella catering to you. Streets in the area include Martin Square, London Road and New Hythe Lane, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Lunsford (1 mile north), Leybourne (1 mile west), New Hythe (1 mile north-east), Birling (2 miles north-west) and Snodland (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (4 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (13 miles east), Dartford (14 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (11 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (14 miles south-west) and Gravesend (9 miles north).
Nearby you will also find Fremlin Walk (3.9 miles south-east) and Leybourne Castle (0.9 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Burham Down and Blue Bell Hill.
- Schools near Larkfield include The Malling School (0.9 miles south-west) and The Malling School (0.9 miles south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Monks Head pub (less than half a mile south-east)
Why choose live paella in Larkfield?
Barbecues cook in batches, so food comes off in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Larger events generally cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why Larkfield hosts choose us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- A quote that spells everything out
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
Read Our prices page And Our guide to catering costs.
How the day works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. Planning an evening event in Larkfield? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:20pm 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.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
Get a quote
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Related guides
- 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