Kent · England
Paella Catering in Speed Gate
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Speed Gate.
- Retirement celebrations
- Christenings and family gatherings
- Big birthdays
Book paella catering in Speed Gate
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and handles separate pans for each diet.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Paella catering in Speed Gate, made fresh on the day
You can keep it simple or build a full menu: paella on its own, or with canapés, table tapas, desserts and sangria. We’ll recommend what fits your event. On the menu are seafood paella, mixed paella and black rice, and typical bookings are for birthday celebrations and company summer parties.
For a rural spot like Speed Gate, 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. Tapas, canapés, desserts, sangria and staff can all be added, so one booking can cover the whole menu.
Prices and what affects them
There’s nothing hidden: the quote reflects:
- How many courses
- The paellas you choose
- Timings and hours
- Guest numbers
The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Details that help
To check availability and price, we need:
- Diets and allergies you know about
- Expected numbers
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
- What the venue already provides
To get a price, fill in our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll put together a menu and price.
About the dishes
Vegetable and vegan paella
A slow sofrito, seasonal vegetables and a good vegetable stock make a proper main dish. Vegan versions use plant-based stock.
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Live paella in Speed Gate: local details
Speed Gate is about 5 miles south of Dartford, in Kent. Whether your event is in the middle of Speed Gate or on the outskirts, paella catering works the same way: live cooking, separate pans for every diet and a clear price. Speed Gate is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. You can also see our page for London, about 18 miles away.
For guests coming by train, Longfield station is about 2.3 miles away. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Longfield Academy, can book us as a food stall. Speed Gate is within about 5 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Paella catering in DA3 is planned around your venue and your guests. We also cook at events in Fawkham Green (1 mile south-east), West Yoke (1 mile east), Ash (1 mile south-east), Maplescombe (2 miles south-west) and West Kingsdown (2 miles south). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (13 miles south-east), Dartford (5 miles north), Sevenoaks (7 miles south-west), Gravesend (6 miles north-east), Tonbridge (12 miles south) and Northfleet (5 miles north-east).
A little further out are Darent Valley Hospital (4.5 miles north) and Eynsford Castle (2.4 miles west).
- Nearby, you’ll find The Rising Sun pub (within half a mile south-east)
Is live paella right for your event?
Barbecues cook in batches, so food comes off in waves. Paella is cooked as one big dish and served together. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why book with us
- Food that becomes part of the entertainment
- Every diet catered for, pan by pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
- Fast service from the pan
Read Our prices page Or The cost guide.
Perfect for your event in Speed Gate
It’s ideal for relaxed, sociable occasions, with guests mingling as it cooks and then sit down to share.
Almost any gathering can work with live paella. In Speed Gate, people book us for occasions like:
- Big birthdays
- Garden get-togethers
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Retirement celebrations
Historic houses near Speed Gate include Lullingstone Castle (3.2 miles west). If your event is at a historic house or estate, check its rules on caterers and cooking early.
What to look for in a quote
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Payment terms and deposit
- Whether travel is included
- A clear list of what’s included
Nearby places to Speed Gate
More for events in Speed Gate
For planners, venues and organisers
Hosting a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Speed Gate questions
Which station should guests use for Speed Gate?
Longfield station, about 2.3 miles north-east of the centre.
Is Speed Gate close to London?
Roughly 18 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you supply plates?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know what you have, and we’ll quote for the rest.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Yes. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Tell us how many are coming.
Is paella enough as a main?
Yes. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main, and tapas or dessert can be added.
What happens with live paella?
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 we need to provide equipment?
We bring all the cooking equipment. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
When do you arrive?
It depends on the menu and numbers. We’ll agree arrival, cooking and serving times with you so the paella is ready when you want it.
Diets, allergies and planning
Most events have a mix of diets. To cater well for them:
- Ensure each pan is labelled
- Flag any coeliac guests, not just gluten-free preferences
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Give us separate numbers for children
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If timings shift, we adapt.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal, or serve your own cake.
The process
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Around midsummer it stays light in Speed Gate until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is 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.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Ask for a quote
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will send a clear, itemised quote and a suggested menu.
Related guides
- 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