Kent · England
Live paella catering in Loose, Kent
Planning paella catering in Loose? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook while your guests watch.
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Company summer parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Live paella catering in Loose
Catering an event in Loose
Loose is about 2 miles south of Maidstone, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the ME15 area, we can bring the pans to you. Loose is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 25 miles away.
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Loose Primary School, can book us as a food stall. For guests coming by train, East Farleigh station is about 1.8 miles away. Loose is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Paella catering in ME15 and ME17 is planned around your venue and timings. We can cater an event on streets such as Rosemount Close, Malthouse Hill and Old Loose Hill or the roads around them. Nearby, we also cater events in Boughton Green (1 mile south-east), Boughton Monchelsea (1 mile south-east), Linton (1 mile south), Park Wood (2 miles east) and Shepway (2 miles north-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Sittingbourne (12 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (15 miles west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south-west), Gravesend (15 miles north-west), Tonbridge (11 miles west) and Northfleet (15 miles north-west).
Nearby you’ll also find Kent Fire Brigade Museum (1.4 miles north) and The Mall Maidstone (2.4 miles north).
- Local schools include Cornwallis Academy (0.6 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Chequers Inn (under half a mile north-east)
How our paella catering works in Loose
Live paella catering means we bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients to your event and cook in front of your guests. When it is ready, it is served straight from the pan. On the menu are vegan paella, paella Valenciana and mixed paella, and we are regularly asked to cater wedding breakfasts and evening food and office lunches and staff parties.
In a small place like Loose, events are normally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Loose
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
FAQs for Loose
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will follow the site rules.
Do you come out to small places like Loose?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
How many paellas should we have?
Most events have two or three: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
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.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
What does paella catering cost?
We quote for each event, so you only pay for what you need. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we’ll reply with a price.
Is paella enough as a main?
Paella is a meal in itself. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
Who books paella catering in Loose?
Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, which is why it works for so many occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.
Whatever you are celebrating in Loose, paella can be the star of the food. We regularly cater:
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Big birthdays
- Community events and fairs
- Leaving dos and retirements
Nearby historic houses include Stoneacre (2.8 miles east) and Leeds Castle (5 miles east). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What your quote should include
- A clear list of what’s included
- When final numbers are due
- Any travel, parking or access charges
- When payment is due
Other catering in Loose
Should I cook it myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Read how to cook paella for a crowd.
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- How many guests are eating
Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
What we need to know
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Try to include:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- A photo of the space, if you can
- The date and time of the event
Thinking about paella catering for your event in Loose? Send us the details and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Paella compared with other options
A plated meal needs a kitchen, more staff and normally costs more per head. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and gives guests something to watch. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why book with us
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Fast service from the pan
- We cover Loose and the whole of Kent
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
See Our pricing Or The cost guide.
For planners, venues and organisers
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
The process
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests typically gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. Evenings in Loose stay light until about 9:15pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:00pm; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- You tell us the date, venue, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- You get a suggested menu and an itemised quote.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- We serve from the pan, then clear our cooking area away.
How to prepare
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Get a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Related guides
Planning for every diet
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests. To get it right:
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Ask about diets and allergies on your invitation or RSVP
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll serve, clear and help keep things moving, so you can enjoy your guests.
Sangria and bar staff can be added to serve drinks you provide.
- 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