Kent · England
Live paella catering in Smarden, Kent
Hot, generous and cooked in front of everyone: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Smarden and the surrounding area.
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Office lunches and staff parties
Paella catering near Smarden
Paella catering in Smarden, cooked live
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: just paella, or paella with tapas, desserts and drinks. We’ll suggest what suits your event. For summer garden parties and anniversaries and engagement parties, we’ll put together a menu of vegan paella, chicken and chorizo paella and paella Valenciana and more.
In a hamlet or village like Smarden, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included: menu, staff, crockery and anything else you choose.
What happens on the day
The cooking is part of the entertainment. Onion, garlic, peppers and tomato go in first, then the stock and saffron, then the rice, which cooks without stirring. Planning an evening event in Smarden? 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.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Have a level space ready for the pans
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
How to get a price
Planning paella catering in Smarden? Send us the details and we will reply with a menu and a clear price. Just use our quote form.
Related guides
Paella catering around Smarden
Smarden is about 8 miles west of Ashford, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Smarden or on the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: paella cooked live, every diet catered for and a clear quote. We cater in all 922 towns and villages across Kent. We cook right across the region, from Smarden to Canterbury (about 19 miles away).
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Smarden Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Pluckley station, about 2.6 miles east. The High Weald National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Smarden. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Here we cover the TN27 postcode area, and we can cater your event anywhere in it. From The Street, The Acorns and Water Lane or anywhere nearby, we’ll bring the pans to you. If your venue is just outside Smarden, we also cover Biddenden Green (1 mile north-east), Smarden Bell (1 mile north-west), Monk's Hill (1 mile south-west), Swift's Green (1 mile north-west) and Standen (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (11 miles north-west), Ashford (8 miles east), Sittingbourne (13 miles north), Faversham (14 miles north-east), Kings Hill (15 miles north-west) and Davington (14 miles north-east).
A little further out are Romden Castle (1 mile east) and Benenden Hospital (5.3 miles south-west).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Chequers Inn (less than half a mile south)
About the dishes
Mixed paella
Paella mixta combines meat and seafood in one pan.
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, not seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who do not eat fish.
For event organisers in Smarden
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.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Events we cater in Smarden
Paella is quick to serve and suits mixed diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
These are some of the occasions we cater:
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Big birthdays
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Michael, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
What your quote should include
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
- The wet-weather plan
- A clear list of what’s included
DIY paella versus live catering
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Hiring a pan and burner is one option, but there’s shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Questions from Smarden
Do you cater in the High Weald National Landscape?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles, ground and cooking, so check with yours. We will follow the site rules.
Which station should guests use for Smarden?
The closest is Pluckley station, roughly 2.6 miles away.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a picture.
How much paella per person?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
How long do you need on site?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We will agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Which paellas suit our guests?
It depends on your guests. A chicken or mixed paella is typically the most popular, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Tell us about any coeliac guests when you book so we take the right care.
Where do you cater?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Smarden.
Also in Smarden
Is live paella right for your event?
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. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so your choice of paellas affects the total. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why book with us
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Fast service from the pan
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
Take a look at Our pricing And The cost guide.
Prices and what affects them
The price comes down to a few factors:
- The length of service
- How many courses
- Whether you need crockery
- Travel, parking and access
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What we need to know
For a quote, it helps to have:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- The date and time of the event
- Where the event is
- What the venue already provides
It is easy to get a price: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Planning the cooking area
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work, and help find another spot. What matters most:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed 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