Kent · England
Paella Catering for Speldhurst events
Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Speldhurst: paella cooked from scratch in huge pans, right in front of your guests.
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Live paella catering in Speldhurst
Catering an event in Speldhurst
Speldhurst is about 2 miles north-west of Royal Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Speldhurst will be, and we’ll plan the journey and set-up. We cover all 922 towns and villages across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our nearest city page is Brighton, about 27 miles away.
If you’re organising a summer fair for a school like Speldhurst Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Mary the Virgin, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well.
For paella catering in TN3, we plan around your venue and your guests. From Northfields, St Mary's Lane and Penshurst Road or anywhere nearby, we will bring the pans to you. For events just outside Speldhurst, we cover Bullingstone (1 mile south-west), Poundsbridge (1 mile west), Stockland Green (1 mile east), Printstile (1 mile north) and Rusthall (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Sevenoaks (9 miles north), Tonbridge (4 miles north-east), Kings Hill (12 miles north-east), Paddock Wood (8 miles east), Edenbridge (8 miles north-west) and Allington (15 miles north-east).
A little further out are Royal Victoria Place (2.4 miles south-east) and Kent and Sussex Hospital (2.1 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Barden Lake and Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve.
- Local schools include Bennett Memorial Diocesan School (1.5 miles south-east) and Rose Hill School (1.5 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The George And Dragon pub (within half a mile south-east)
Paella catering in Speldhurst, made fresh on the day
One cooking area feeds a lot of people, very little goes to waste, and the food is served hot. It is why live paella suits so many kinds of event. Whether it is christenings and family gatherings and wedding breakfasts and evening food, we will put together a menu of vegan paella, vegetable paella and paella Valenciana.
For a rural spot like Speldhurst, 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. Every pan is cooked in front of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, not seafood. It is a favourite with guests who do not eat fish.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It is a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
- Confirm allergies by email
On the day, you shouldn’t have to think about the food. We set up, cook and serve, and keep in touch with you or your venue about timings.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal, or serve your own cake.
Places near Speldhurst
Other catering in Speldhurst
For planners, venues and organisers
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
Planning an event for a club, school or charity in Speldhurst? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Give us the details and we will suggest a plan.
Step by step
Watching it cook is half the fun. We start with the sofrito, add the stock and saffron, then spread the rice across the pan and leave it alone to cook while your guests chat. Around midsummer it stays light in Speldhurst until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are typically served in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, you send us your date, venue, numbers and diets.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- We arrive early, set up the cooking area and start the stock.
- Your guests watch the paella cook, with any tapas served first.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we pack down afterwards.
How to prepare
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
- Give us a contact for the day
Getting a price
We quote for each event separately, so you only pay for what you need. For a quote, use our quote form.
Read more
Events we cater in Speldhurst
Outdoor events and live paella go together: it is cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Big or small, live paella works well. Common bookings include:
- Weddings and evening receptions
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Milestone birthday parties
- Christenings and family gatherings
For guests coming by train, Tunbridge Wells station is about 2.5 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- What the caterer needs from your venue
- Allergen information for each dish
- How long the team stays
- Who provides the crockery
DIY paella versus live catering
Cooking paella for a crowd yourself is possible, but it’s harder than it looks. Large pans need the right burners, and getting the rice right for dozens of people takes experience. Our guide to cooking paella for a crowd explains how.
If you do cook yourself, test the pan and burner together beforehand, have hot stock ready, and do not stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
Your questions about paella catering in Speldhurst
Is Speldhurst close to London?
About 28 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
What’s the nearest station to Speldhurst for guests?
The closest is Tunbridge Wells station, roughly 2.5 miles away.
What seafood can we have?
Seafood choices are agreed when we plan the menu.
How far ahead should we book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so get in touch early.
Will there be enough food?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. Our guide to portions explains more.
Do you cook it at the event?
Yes, always. Every paella is cooked from scratch on site, in front of your guests.
What equipment do you bring?
All cooking kit comes with us. Tell us what the venue provides, such as tables or crockery.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
Planning the cooking area
We will agree the cooking spot with you before the day. A good spot ticks these boxes:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Access for unloading near the cooking spot
If you’re unsure, send a photo of the space and we’ll say what we think.
Menu ideas
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
Live paella or other catering?
With a barbecue, food comes in waves. Paella is ready all at once, so everyone eats together. Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What you get with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Served hot, straight from the pan
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- 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