Kent · England
Paella Catering in Sholden
Paella for every guest: separate pans for meat, seafood and vegetarian or vegan guests. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Sholden.
- Community events and fairs
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Company summer parties
Paella catering near Sholden
Events we cater in Sholden
There’s no kitchen needed, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Here are some of the events we cook for around Sholden:
- Milestone birthday parties
- Community events and fairs
- Summer garden parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
Parks such as Betteshanger Park usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there.
Questions to ask before you book
- When final numbers are due
- Staff numbers and hours
- What the price includes, item by item
- Travel and parking costs
Paella catering in Sholden, made fresh on the day
We arrive with the pans, burners and fresh ingredients and cook the paella in front of your guests. Once it’s ready, we serve it hot from the pan. Typical bookings include garden get-togethers and retirement and leaving parties, with vegetable paella, chicken and chorizo paella and paella Valenciana.
In a small place like Sholden, events are usually in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we’ll plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
How the day works
Serving is fast: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. In Sholden, 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.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Get a quote
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: venue, timings, courses and extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
Your questions about paella catering in Sholden
Could we have live paella in Betteshanger Park?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, usually the council. Ask them first, and we’ll send any information they need.
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Nicholas: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking generally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is paella enough as a main?
It’s a full meal on its own. Many hosts add tapas first or dessert after.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Do you cater for young children?
Yes. A simple chicken paella is typically popular with children. Tell us how many are coming.
How long does the paella take?
That depends on your menu and numbers. We agree the timings in advance so the paella is ready when you want it.
How does live paella catering work?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook in front of your guests, and serve at the time you want.
Do you come to Sholden?
We do. Sholden is one of the places we cover. Tell us your date and we’ll check availability.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is harder than it looks. 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.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. We take care of all of it.
Space, weather and the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- A level, firm spot for the burners and pans
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
On the menu in Sholden
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Plated meals need a kitchen and a bigger team. Live paella needs a level, ventilated spot and the venue’s permission to cook, and it is entertaining too. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why book with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
Planning for every diet
Nearly every event has some special diets. To plan for them:
- Put allergy details in writing
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Count adults and children separately
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll serve, clear and help keep things moving, so you can relax.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
Towns and villages near Sholden
What else we do in Sholden
Working with your venue
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Sholden? Paella is quick to serve to a crowd and suits most diets. Give us the details and we’ll suggest a plan.
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, whether you’re a planner, an office manager or an event organiser, we will work directly with you and the venue. It keeps things simple.
Live paella in Sholden: local details
Sholden is about 1 mile north-west of Deal, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Sholden or on the outskirts, we offer the same service: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. Sholden is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 13 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Deal station is about 1.1 miles away. Nearby historic houses include Walmer Castle (2 miles south-east). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. Sholden is within about 2 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
We cook at events all over CT14 and the streets around it. Streets in the area include The Street, London Road and Colmanton Grove, and we can cook for an event on any of them. Nearby, we also cater events in Sholden Meadows (1 mile west), Mill Hill (1 mile south), Great Mongeham (1 mile south-west), Deal (1 mile south-east) and Finglesham (1 mile north-west). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (13 miles west), Margate (11 miles north), Dover (7 miles south-west), Folkestone (13 miles south-west), Ramsgate (8 miles north) and Broadstairs (10 miles north).
A little further out are Deal Castle (1.4 miles east) and Kent Museum of the Moving Image (1.2 miles east). Open spaces near Sholden include Monk's Wall nature reserve.
- Nearby schools include Castle Community College (1 mile south-east)
- Pubs nearby include The Magnet pub (0.6 miles south-east)
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, not seafood. It’s often the most popular pan at an event.
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury, and is popular with adventurous guests.
- 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