Kent · England
Live paella catering in Sandhurst Cross, Kent
Planning paella catering in Sandhurst Cross? We bring the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Company summer parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Community events and fairs
Paella catering near Sandhurst Cross
Paella catering in Sandhurst Cross, made fresh on the day
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. Whether it is family celebrations and christenings and weddings, from canapés to evening food, we will put together a menu of paella Valenciana, vegetable paella and seafood paella.
In a hamlet or village like Sandhurst Cross, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
How we price paella catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- Parking and unloading
- How many courses
- Guest numbers
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
Compared with a plated meal, live paella is frequently good value, as there’s no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. Ask us for a quote.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Which courses you have in mind
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The address or venue name
- The date and rough timings
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: give us the basics about your event, and we’ll make suggestions. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Organising for someone else?
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
Paella compared with other options
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why Sandhurst Cross hosts choose us
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Sangria and bar staff available
- No hidden extras in your quote
Take a look at Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
Paella catering around Sandhurst Cross
Sandhurst Cross is about 11 miles north of Hastings, in Kent. Anywhere in TN18, we can cook for your guests. We cook in 922 places across Kent. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 29 miles away.
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Robertsbridge station, about 4.3 miles south-west. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Sandhurst Primary School, can book us as a food stall. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 6 miles of Sandhurst Cross, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Anywhere in TN18, we can cook for your guests. From Church Road, Bodiam Road and Bourne Lane or a nearby road, we can cook there. For events just outside Sandhurst Cross, we cover Sandhurst (1 mile north-east), Bodiam (1 mile south-west), Little Conghurst (1 mile north-west), Four Throws (1 mile north-west) and Linkhill (2 miles east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Royal Tunbridge Wells (15 miles north-west), Paddock Wood (13 miles north-west), Tenterden (7 miles north-east), Park Wood (15 miles north), Staplehurst (10 miles north) and Stanhope (15 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Benenden Hospital (5.4 miles north-east).
- Local schools include Bodiam Manor School (1.3 miles south-west)
- Local pubs include Old Tavern (less than half a mile east)
How the day works
We get there well before serving, unload, set up the burners and prepare the stock. Your guests are welcome to watch while it cooks. In Sandhurst Cross, the sun sets at about 9:15pm in late June and about 7:00pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- On the day we arrive in good time, set up and start the stock.
- The rice cooks in full view, while tapas or canapés go round.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Name one person we can ask on the day
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. You can use our quote form.
Related guides
Before you choose a spot
Most gardens and venues can host live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Towns and villages near Sandhurst Cross
Other catering in Sandhurst Cross
Sandhurst Cross questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Nicholas?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
Is halal food available?
Yes, we do. We use halal chicken and leave out pork and alcohol, in its own pan.
Does paella work for big events?
Very much so. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
What areas do you cover?
We cater across London and the South East, including Kent. See all areas.
What is live paella catering?
We arrive with pans, burners and ingredients, cook in front of your guests, and serve when you are ready to eat.
How soon do we need to book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it’s short notice, it’s worth asking.
Do you provide drinks?
Yes, sangria. For other drinks, we can provide bar staff to serve what you buy.
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Tell us what else is being served
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving, which is when we usually call guests over.
We can add sangria and bar staff for your own drinks.
Dishes our guests love
Vegetable and vegan paella
A slow sofrito, seasonal vegetables and a good vegetable stock make a paella that stands on its own. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
Seafood paella
The secret is a well-made seafood stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Some hosts like to cook themselves. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Weighing up DIY against 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