Kent · England
Live paella catering in Skeete, Kent
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Skeete: paella made from scratch in big, shallow pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Birthday celebrations
- Naming days and family parties
- Community events and fairs
Book paella catering in Skeete
How our paella catering works in Skeete
Everything is cooked from scratch on site, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. Whether it is summer garden parties and retirement and leaving parties, we can cook seafood paella, vegetable paella and paella Valenciana.
For a rural spot like Skeete, the countryside is part of the appeal: a giant pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Let us know about access and ground conditions. You’ll know exactly what’s included before you book: the menu, the staff and any extras, with no surprises on the day.
Step by step
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and cook and serve without fuss. Planning an evening event in Skeete? Sunset is around 8:45pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; after dark, the cooking and serving areas need good lighting.
- 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.
- It is served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
Preparing for the day
- Share the running order, including any speeches
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Getting a price
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll send a clear, itemised quote.
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Catering an event in Skeete
Skeete is about 4 miles north of Hythe, in Kent. Wherever your event is in the CT18 area, we can bring the pans to you. We cover 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. We cook right across the region, from Skeete to Canterbury (about 10 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Westenhanger station, about 2.5 miles south-west. Nearby historic houses include Westenhanger Castle (2.7 miles south-west) and Acrise Place (3.2 miles east). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. Skeete is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours. The coast is within about 5 miles of Skeete, so a seafood pan is a popular choice. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
For paella catering in CT18, we plan around your venue. Other places close to Skeete for paella catering include Woodland (1 mile north-east), Hemsted (1 mile north), Lyminge (1 mile east), Rhodes Minnis (1 mile north-east) and Postling (1 mile south). Within a short drive, we also cover Ashford (8 miles west), Canterbury (10 miles north), Dover (10 miles east), Folkestone (6 miles south-east), Faversham (15 miles north-west) and Hythe (4 miles south).
Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (5.6 miles south-east) and Saltwood Castle (3.4 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Hatch Park and Tolsford Hill.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
What we need at the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Somewhere close to park and unload
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
Planners, venues and businesses
Many venues have rules for outside caterers: where cooking is allowed, access times and the paperwork they need. Tell us what your venue needs and we’ll work to it.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Perfect for your event in Skeete
Live paella is food and a show in one. The pans become a focal point, and the food itself is hot and plentiful.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Skeete and Kent:
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Community events and fairs
If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Stowting Church of England Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser.
Before booking anyone
- How bad weather is handled
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- Any travel, parking or access charges
What else we do in Skeete
Questions from Skeete
Do you come out to small places like Skeete?
No, we cook in small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Do you cater in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Can you cook halal paella?
Yes, we do. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in a separate pan.
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.
Can you cater for children?
Yes, children are easy to cater for. Tell us how many and roughly how old, and we’ll plan for them.
What happens if it rains?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there’s a ventilated cover. We’ll talk it through before the day.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes, it is the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, on request. Proper crockery or quality disposables can be added to your booking.
What’s in the pans
Seafood paella
Prawns, mussels and squid in a rich fish stock, finished with lemon wedges. It’s usually the most photographed pan.
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
Dietary needs and planning tips
Few dishes handle mixed diets as well as paella, because each paella is cooked in its own pan. Here are a few tips for planning:
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Mention any other courses or food
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.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further and suit guests who are not big rice eaters.
What affects the price in Skeete
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Whether you need crockery
- How long we’re needed on site
- How many staff you need
- Travel, parking and access
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Getting an accurate quote
You do not need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- What the venue already provides
- The date and rough timings
- A photo of the space, if you can
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in our quote form.
- 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