Kent · England
Live paella catering in Orlestone, Kent
Paella for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Orlestone.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Big birthdays
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
Paella catering for Orlestone events
Catering an event in Orlestone
Orlestone is about 4 miles south of Ashford, in Kent. Anywhere in TN26, we will come to your venue or garden. Orlestone is one of 922 places in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 17 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Ham Street station, about 0.7 miles south-east. If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Hamstreet Primary Academy, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
We cook at events all over TN26. Other places close to Orlestone for paella catering include Hamstreet (1 mile south-east), Bromley Green (1 mile north), Kenardington (2 miles south-west), Ruckinge (2 miles south-east) and Stone Cross (2 miles north-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (4 miles north), Folkestone (14 miles east), Hythe (10 miles east), Hawkinge (14 miles east), Tenterden (7 miles west) and Cheriton (13 miles east).
Other landmarks nearby include Woodchurch Village Life Museum (3.6 miles west) and William Harvey Hospital (5.3 miles north-east). Not far away are Orlestone Forest.
- Local pubs include The Dukes Head pub (0.9 miles south-east)
About our paella catering in Orlestone
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: just paella, or paella with tapas, desserts and drinks. We’ll recommend what fits your event. On the menu are seafood paella, vegan paella and vegetable paella, and we’re regularly asked to cater summer garden parties and leaving dos and retirements.
Somewhere like Orlestone, a field or garden is often the perfect setting. Gates, verges and soft ground are worth mentioning when you enquire. We plan the timings around your day, so the paella is ready when you want to eat.
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. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will suggest a menu to match. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Why book with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Served hot, straight from the pan
Read Our pricing And What paella catering costs.
What paella catering costs
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Waiting and bar staff
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Guest numbers
Comparing caterers? Look at what each quote includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What we need to know
When you get in touch, it helps to tell us:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The address or venue name
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote.
Step by step
When the rice goes in, it’s left alone. That’s what gives paella its separate grains and crispy base. The smell usually draws people over. Around midsummer it stays light in Orlestone until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Send us 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
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Have a level space ready for the pans
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
For event organisers in Orlestone
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Organising a club, school or community event in Orlestone? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
What we offer
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
Places near Orlestone
What else we do in Orlestone
What’s in the pans
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans.
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, cooked until the rice is golden. It’s typically the most photographed pan.
Who books paella catering in Orlestone?
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It gives people something to gather round, too.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Birthday celebrations
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
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.
Before booking anyone
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
- Staff numbers and hours
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
Orlestone questions
Is Orlestone close to London?
About 50 miles from central London, and well within our area.
Is Orlestone 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.
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas first, paella to follow.
Can we choose the seafood?
We will talk through seafood options when we plan your menu.
How much is live paella catering?
It depends on guest numbers, the menu, the courses, staff and travel. Tell us about your event and we will send a quote.
Do you bring everything you need?
All cooking kit comes with us. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
Should we have more than one paella?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. We’ll recommend a mix based on diets.
- 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