Kent · England
Live paella catering in Shepway, Kent
Looking for paella catering in Shepway? We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook in front of your guests.
- Garden get-togethers
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Staff parties and work lunches
Book paella catering in Shepway
What happens on the day
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. When service is finished, we pack down. In Shepway, 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. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and how many.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- Closer to the day, we confirm timings and the cooking spot.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
How to prepare
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Name one person we can ask on the day
How to get a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Planning help
Paella catering for your event in Shepway
Paella is generous food: big pans, bright colours and a crispy base everyone wants a spoonful of. It turns a meal into an occasion. We’re frequently asked to cater naming days and family parties and garden get-togethers, with seafood paella, vegetable paella and paella Valenciana.
In and around Shepway, gardens and local halls are common choices. If the road in is narrow, tell us so we can plan the van. We bring everything we need to cook, and pack down our cooking area when service is finished.
Why choose live paella in Shepway?
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why Shepway hosts choose us
- Fast service from the pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- We cover Shepway and the whole of Kent
- A quote that spells everything out
Read How we price Or What paella catering costs.
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Confirm allergies by email
- Choose two or three paellas so every guest has a choice
You shouldn’t have to worry about the food on the day. We set up, cook and serve, and stay in touch with your venue about timings.
Sangria and bar staff can be added for your own drinks.
What’s in the pans
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
A mix of chicken and seafood, for guests who want a bit of everything.
FAQs for Shepway
We are having a ceremony at St Martin's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Can you cook in Mote Park?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
How does live paella catering work?
We set up a cooking area at your venue, cook the paella from scratch in large pans while your guests watch, and serve it straight from the pan.
Do you cook inside?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. Some venues have suitable spaces; we will check with you and the venue.
What space do you need to cook?
Level ground for the burners, pans and a table, outdoors or in a marquee or well-ventilated area, plus the venue’s agreement to cooking.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes, that is what it’s made for. We size pans and serving points to your guest list.
How many different paellas?
Typically two or three, so every guest has a choice. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
What equipment do you bring?
All cooking kit comes with us. Let us know what your venue has, like tables or crockery.
For event organisers in Shepway
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we’ll keep everyone informed on the day.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Shepway? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Who books paella catering in Shepway?
It needs no kitchen, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where plated meals are hard.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Shepway book us for occasions like:
- Anniversary celebrations
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Birthday celebrations
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
For a christening or wedding at a church such as St Martin's Church, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
What your quote should include
- Payment terms and deposit
- Staff numbers and hours
- If the price includes VAT
- A clear list of what’s included
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Where we can cook in Shepway
Every venue is different, so we’ll ask about yours before we confirm. Generally, we look for:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
On the menu in Shepway
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Nearby places to Shepway
More for events in Shepway
Live paella in Shepway: local details
Shepway is about 1 mile south-east of Maidstone, in Kent. For paella catering in Shepway, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. Shepway is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 23 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Maidstone West station is about 1.7 miles away. Parks such as Mote Park usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 5 miles of Shepway, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Anywhere in ME15, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on Derby Road, Devon Road and Surrey Road. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Willington (1 mile east), Park Wood (1 mile south), Otham (1 mile south-east), Maidstone (1 mile north-west) and Weavering (1 mile north-east). Further out, we also cater in Sittingbourne (10 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (15 miles south-west), Gravesend (14 miles north-west), Tonbridge (12 miles west), Faversham (15 miles east) and Northfleet (15 miles north-west).
A little further out are KIMS hospital (2.2 miles north) and Allington Castle (3.1 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Detling Hill.
- Nearby schools include New Line Learning Academy (0.7 miles south-west) and Senacre Technology College (1.1 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Wheatsheaf pub (0.7 miles west)
- 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