Kent · England
Paella Catering in Otford
Love Paella cooks live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event across Otford and Kent, catering for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests.
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Company summer parties
- Anniversary celebrations
Paella catering in Otford
Paella catering in Otford, made fresh on the day
There is something generous about paella: giant pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It makes the food an event in itself. We cook paella Valenciana, mixed paella and vegan paella, and we are regularly asked to cater fairs, fêtes and festivals and garden get-togethers.
A place like Otford often has a hall, a club or a pub garden nearby; any can work for paella, with permission and somewhere outside to cook. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
How the day works
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we hold the paella at the right stage so it’s still served fresh. Evenings in Otford stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:05pm; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Before we arrive
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
How to get a price
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
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Otford: your questions answered
Could we have live paella in Fackenden Down?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, typically the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
How far is Otford from London?
About 18 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a photo.
Is the paella gluten-free?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
What is live paella catering?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Who clears up?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Can you serve drinks?
Sangria can be added, and we can staff a bar with your drinks.
Do you cater for young children?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Planning for every diet
Dietary needs are easy to plan for with a little notice. We suggest:
- Mention any other courses or food
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Give us separate numbers for children
Once everyone is fed, we clear our cooking area.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
Paella catering around Otford
Otford is about 2 miles north of Sevenoaks, in Kent. For paella catering in Otford, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cover all 922 towns and villages in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is London, about 18 miles away.
Thinking of a picnic-style party in Fackenden Down? Public parks typically need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. Historic houses near Otford include Knole House (3.2 miles south) and Lullingstone Castle (3.3 miles north). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early. Otford is within about 2 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
This part of Kent takes in TN14. We can cater an event on streets such as Station Road, High Street and Bubblestone Road. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Twitton (1 mile west), Shoreham (2 miles north), Sepham Heath (2 miles north-west), Halstead (3 miles north-west) and Badgers Mount (3 miles north-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (15 miles east), Dartford (9 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south), Gravesend (12 miles north-east), Tonbridge (9 miles south-east) and Northfleet (11 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Kemsing Castle Bank (1.7 miles east) and Otford Heritage Centre (under half a mile south-east). Open spaces near Otford include Dryhill Nature Reserve.
- Nearby schools include St Michael's Preparatory School (0.7 miles east) and Knole Academy (1.7 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include The Woodman pub (within half a mile north)
Paella compared with other options
Food trucks and street-food vans serve one portion at a time. A paella pan serves many portions quickly, so everyone can eat at the same time. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why choose Love Paella in Otford
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Drinks service on request
- Events in Otford and across Kent
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
For event organisers in Otford
Hosting a party at home? Send a picture of the space and tell us about parking, and we’ll let you know if live paella is a good fit.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. These are the things we check:
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
Popular choices
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
Also in Otford
About the dishes
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It is a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, rather than seafood. It’s often the most popular pan at an event.
What affects the price in Otford
The price comes down to a few factors:
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The length of service
- The paellas you choose
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
Access and travel can make a difference to the cost, so it helps to tell us about your venue. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Details that help
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and rough timings
- Where the event is
- A picture of the space, if you can
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Should I cook it myself?
You can cook paella for a crowd yourself, but it takes practice. 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.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
- 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