Kent · England
Live paella catering in Priestwood, Kent
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event turns food into part of your event in Priestwood.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Staff parties and work lunches
Paella catering near Priestwood
Why live cooking beats a buffet
If you want something different from the usual buffet or roast, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain. The cost per head usually falls as numbers rise, since the set-up is much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why us?
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Events in Priestwood and across Kent
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
- Drinks service on request
Paella catering in Priestwood, cooked live
Two or three pans side by side cover every guest: meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan paellas. Every pan is cooked on its own, so diets are easy to manage. We cook mixed paella, vegetable paella and seafood paella, and we are regularly asked to cater big birthdays and naming days and family parties.
In a small place like Priestwood, events are generally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in a separate pan and clearly labelled.
Dishes our guests love
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It is a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together, and it’s frequently the first pan to empty.
What affects the price in Priestwood
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- Distance and access to the venue
- Your choice of paellas
- Waiting and bar staff
- Whether you need crockery
Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. We’ll suggest options to suit your budget.
What to tell us
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Where the event is
- Anything your venue supplies
- A photo of the space, if you can
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will check availability at the same time.
Who books paella catering in Priestwood?
Few dishes cope with mixed diets like paella, because each version is cooked in its own pan. Nobody gets a token ‘special meal’.
Whatever the occasion, paella can be the star of the food. We frequently cook for:
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Retirement celebrations
- Big birthdays
Historic houses near Priestwood include Cobham College (2.6 miles north-east) and Starkey Castle (3.9 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
- Whether crockery, cutlery and napkins are included
- The venue requirements
- Staff numbers and hours
- When final numbers are due
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
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.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Send us your venue’s requirements and we will follow them.
The process
A typical event goes like this: we arrive, set up and start cooking, the rice cooks in front of your guests, and we serve straight from the pan at the agreed time. Evenings in Priestwood stay light until about 9:20pm in June, but by late September sunset is around 7:00pm; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- 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.
How to prepare
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
Read more
Paella catering around Priestwood
Priestwood is about 5 miles south of Gravesend, in Kent. We cater events at gardens, halls and venues around Priestwood and the surrounding area. Priestwood is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is London, about 22 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Sole Street station, about 1.9 miles north. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Meopham School, can book us as a food stall.
Wherever your event is in DA13, we can bring paella catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on Chandler's Hill, Chandler's Road and Priestwood Road. We also cook at events in Priestwood Green (1 mile south-west), Harvel (1 mile south), South Street (1 mile west), Foxendown (1 mile north) and Culverstone Green (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (9 miles south-east), Dartford (9 miles north-west), Sevenoaks (10 miles south-west), Gravesend (5 miles north), Tonbridge (12 miles south) and Northfleet (5 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Leybourne Castle (4.1 miles south-east) and Coldrum Long Barrow (2.4 miles south). Not far away are Ranscombe Farm.
Nearby places to Priestwood
What else we do in Priestwood
FAQs for Priestwood
Which station should guests use for Priestwood?
The closest is Sole Street station, roughly 1.9 miles away.
How far is Priestwood from London?
Roughly 22 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Do we need to provide equipment?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You provide a suitable spot and access.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
What areas do you cover?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Priestwood.
Do you take everything away?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Ask us about table clearing if you need it.
Do you cover Priestwood?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, and Priestwood is within our area and the rest of Kent. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
How much paella per person?
Quantities depend on numbers, timing and courses, with a little extra built in. Accurate numbers help.
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
On the menu in Priestwood
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- 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