Kent · England
Paella Catering for Paddock Wood events
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Paddock Wood.
- Summer garden parties
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Anniversary celebrations
Planning an event in Paddock Wood?
The process
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, and we agree where that is before the day. Planning an evening event in Paddock Wood? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan a menu that covers every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- Service is straight from the pan, then we pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Getting a price
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.
Planning help
How our paella catering works in Paddock Wood
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. Each is cooked separately. We are often asked to cater family celebrations and christenings and birthday celebrations, with vegetable paella, vegan paella and seafood paella.
There may be a hall or club near Paddock Wood if your garden is small; live paella can work at any of them, given permission and outdoor space. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Nearby places to Paddock Wood
More for events in Paddock Wood
Where we can cook in Paddock Wood
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. These are the things we check:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Paddock Wood: venues, travel and local tips
Paddock Wood is about 5 miles east of Tonbridge, in Kent. From the centre of Paddock Wood to the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cook in 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for London, about 31 miles away.
Parks such as Foal Hurst Wood usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like St Andrew's Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
Paella catering in TN12 is planned around your venue and your guests. Whether your event is on Church Road, Station Road and Forest Road or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. Main roads around Paddock Wood include the B2017 and B2160, which makes travel to your event easy. Close by, we cover events in Whetsted (1 mile north-west), Colt's Hill (1 mile west), Five Oak Green (2 miles west), Matfield (2 miles south-west) and Brenchley (2 miles south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (9 miles north-east), Sevenoaks (11 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (6 miles south-west), Tonbridge (5 miles west), Kings Hill (7 miles north) and Foley Park (10 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Tunbridge Wells Hospital (4 miles south-west) and The Hop Farm Museum (1.4 miles north). The countryside around Paddock Wood includes Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve.
- Schools near Paddock Wood include Mascalls School (0.5 miles south)
- Pubs nearby include John Brunt V.C. Pub (under half a mile north)
Dietary needs and planning tips
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Have seats for most of your guests
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Put allergy details in writing
- Plan a meat, a seafood and a vegetable or vegan pan
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We arrive in good time, set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal.
About the dishes
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Planners, venues and businesses
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Paddock Wood? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Live paella or other catering?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is cooked as one big dish and served together. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so it helps to tell us about your venue. The full price is confirmed before you book.
Why choose Love Paella in Paddock Wood
- A quote that spells everything out
- Drinks service on request
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
Common questions in Paddock Wood
Which station should guests use for Paddock Wood?
Paddock Wood has its own station: Paddock Wood station.
Is Paddock Wood close to London?
About 31 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
How do you work out quantities?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a sensible margin. Accurate numbers help.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
It is ideal. Large pans and fast service from the pan make it well suited to crowds.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are welcome. Let us know numbers and ages, and we’ll plan for them.
Which paella is most popular?
That depends on who’s coming. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
How long does the paella take?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Can we choose the seafood?
We will suggest seafood to suit your menu and budget. Premium options are available.
Should I cook it myself?
A DIY paella party works for small groups. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it is in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
Perfect for your event in Paddock Wood
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food is hot and generous.
We can help if you are planning any of the following:
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Community events and fairs
- Birthday celebrations
School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Paddock Wood Primary School, can book us as a food stall.
Comparing caterers
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- How each diet is kept separate
- VAT, if it applies
- The venue requirements
- 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