Greater London · England
Live paella catering in St Mary Cray, Greater London
From the first sizzle of the sofrito to the last spoonful of crispy rice, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event makes the food a highlight of your event in St Mary Cray.
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Summer garden parties
Live paella catering in St Mary Cray
Where we can cook in St Mary Cray
We’ll be honest if a space won’t work, and help find another spot. What matters most:
- Parking close enough to carry equipment
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
St Mary Cray is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: tell us about parking bays, permits or a driveway.
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
What we offer
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Paella catering in St Mary Cray, made fresh on the day
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and festival fields in and around St Mary Cray. We cook vegetable paella, vegan paella and mixed paella, and we are frequently booked for family celebrations and christenings and fairs, fêtes and festivals.
Gardens in London can be narrow, but a level spot away from fences and trees is usually all we need. In St Mary Cray, the bigger question is parking near the house or venue. The paella is served straight from the pan, so every plate is hot, and service is quick once it’s ready.
- Area
- St Mary Cray (BR5, BR6, BR7)
- County
- Greater London
- Special diets
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal
- Extras
- Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 23 October 2026
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
Valencians take their paella seriously. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
Mixed paella
Chicken and seafood together.
Diets, allergies and planning
We take diets and allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Let us know about other food at the event
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Tapas or canapés make a good start as the rice cooks.
Paella catering around St Mary Cray
St Mary Cray is about 11 miles south-east of London, in Greater London. Anywhere in BR5, we can bring the pans to you. St Mary Cray is one of 764 places in Greater London we cover. We cook right across the region, from St Mary Cray to London (about 11 miles away).
Nearby historic houses include Bromley Palace (3.8 miles west) and Hall Place and Gardens (4.5 miles north-east). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. If you are organising a summer fair for a school like Poverest Primary School, a paella stall is a crowd-pleaser. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 6 miles of St Mary Cray. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
We cover events in every part of BR5, BR6 and BR7 and the streets around it. We can cater an event on streets such as New Road, Kent Road and Park Road. St Mary Cray sits on or near the A224, so getting the burners and pans to your event is simple. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Poverest (1 mile south-west), St Paul's Cray (1 mile north), Orpington (1 mile south), Derry Downs (1 mile south-east) and Kevington (1 mile east). Within a short drive, we also cover London (11 miles north-west), City of Westminster (14 miles north-west), Marylebone (14 miles north-west), Kensington (15 miles north-west), St Pancras (13 miles north-west) and Shoreditch (12 miles north-west).
Well-known places in the area include London Borough of Bromley Museum (0.9 miles south) and Lullingstone Castle (4.5 miles south-east). The countryside around St Mary Cray includes Summer Hill and The Warren.
- Nearby schools include Walsingham School (0.9 miles north) and Harris Academy Orpington (1.2 miles south)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Blue Anchor Public House (under half a mile north-east)
How the day works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Your guests are welcome to watch as the paella takes shape. In St Mary Cray, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it is dark by about 3:55pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- You share your date, numbers and venue.
- We plan the menu with you, including every diet.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- The sofrito, stock and rice go in, and guests gather to watch.
- We serve hot from the pan and clear our cooking area.
Getting ready for the day
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Let us know the timings for the day
How to get a price
Each quote is tailored to your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
Read more
Should I cook it myself?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Doing it yourself saves money, but the host ends up stuck at the stove. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Perfect for your event in St Mary Cray
Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets, so it suits all kinds of occasions. It also gives guests something to watch and talk about.
In St Mary Cray and nearby, we cater all sorts of events. Some of the most common are:
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Community events and fairs
- Milestone birthday parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Mary, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone.
Comparing caterers
- How bad weather is handled
- How late numbers can change
- Plates, cutlery and napkins, or disposables
- What the caterer needs from your venue
Paella compared with other options
For something a little different, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain. Cost depends on guest numbers, the menu and the courses, plus any staff, crockery and travel. Every event gets its own quote.
Why book with us
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- We cover St Mary Cray and the whole of Greater London
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Planners, venues and businesses
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you are booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We are happy to liaise with facilities on access and timings.
Common questions in St Mary Cray
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We’ll work to whatever the site needs.
What about parking in St Mary Cray?
London parking needs planning: let us know about permits or off-street space. We’ll work around it.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, especially for summer weekends. Ask about your date even if it is soon.
What space do you need to cook?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Can you cook indoors?
Only in a suitable, well-ventilated area with the venue’s permission. Courtyards, doorways and terraces frequently work.
Is paella enough as a main?
Paella is a meal in itself. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
Which paella is most popular?
Most events choose two or three: a mixed or chicken paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. See the sample menu.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: meat or mixed, seafood, and vegetable or vegan. We’ll suggest a split based on your guests.
Places near St Mary Cray
Other catering in St Mary Cray
- 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