Kent · England
Live paella catering in Stocker's Head, Kent
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Stocker's Head. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, then served hot from the pan.
- Milestone birthday parties
- Wedding breakfasts and evening food
- Office lunches and staff parties
Planning an event in Stocker's Head?
About our paella catering in Stocker's Head
Watching it cook is part of the experience. Guests gather round as the sofrito sizzles and the saffron colours the rice, and the smell does the rest. Typical bookings include family celebrations and christenings and engagement and anniversary parties, serving seafood paella, vegetable paella and black rice.
Somewhere as small as Stocker's Head, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. You can add tapas, desserts, sangria, bar staff and waiting staff, so the whole menu comes from one caterer.
Planning for every diet
We take diets and allergies seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Tell us what else is being served
- Add a dietary question to your invitations
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we start it at the right moment for your event. If timings shift, we adapt.
Crockery, cutlery and waiting staff are available if your venue does not provide them.
What happens on the day
We take care of the food from set-up to service, so you’re free to enjoy your event. Any tapas or canapés are served first while the paella cooks. Planning an evening event in Stocker's Head? 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.
- On the day, we set up and cook in front of your guests.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
How to prepare
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Check the venue allows live cooking
- Keep the cooking spot clear of fences, hedges and branches
Ask for a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: date, location, guest numbers and diets. To send them, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
Is live paella right for your event?
A plated meal needs a kitchen, more staff and usually costs more per head. Live paella needs only a level, ventilated spot and permission to cook, and gives guests something to watch. Premium seafood costs more than chicken or vegetables, so the menu you choose affects the price. Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest a menu.
Why choose Love Paella in Stocker's Head
- Drinks service on request
- We cover Stocker's Head and the whole of Kent
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
Take a look at Our prices page Or The cost guide.
The menu, dish by dish
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, not seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who do not eat fish.
Vegetable and vegan paella
Seasonal vegetables on a rich sofrito base make a proper main dish. For vegans, the stock is plant-based.
Planning the cooking area
We’ll agree the cooking spot with you before the day. It needs to meet a few simple requirements:
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Stocker's Head
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
Towns and villages near Stocker's Head
Also in Stocker's Head
Live paella in Stocker's Head: local details
Stocker's Head is about 6 miles north-west of Ashford, in Kent. Tell us where your event in Stocker's Head will be, and we’ll plan access and set-up before the day. Stocker's Head is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Stocker's Head to Canterbury (about 12 miles away).
For a christening or wedding at a church such as Church of St Peter and St Paul, a paella lunch or reception nearby is an easy way to feed everyone. Historic houses near Stocker's Head include Belmont House and Gardens (3.9 miles north) and Godinton House (4.2 miles south). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. Stocker's Head is within about 6 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
For paella catering in TN27, we plan around your venue and your guests. Neighbouring places where we cater events include Charing Hill (1 mile west), Stalisfield (2 miles north), Stalisfield Green (2 miles north), Paddock (2 miles east) and The Valley (2 miles north). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (13 miles west), Ashford (6 miles south-east), Canterbury (12 miles east), Sittingbourne (9 miles north), Whitstable (13 miles north-east) and Faversham (7 miles north-east).
Well-known places in the area include Newnham Castle (4.7 miles north).
- Pubs nearby include King's Head Public House (1 mile south-west)
Questions from Stocker's Head
Is Stocker's Head close to London?
About 44 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Can you cook in Spuckles and Kennelling Woods?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we will provide our paperwork.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
When should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Do you do vegan paella?
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Can we add tapas or canapés?
Yes. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
Can you cook halal paella?
We can. Let us know your halal numbers, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
What do you need at the venue?
Less than you might think: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. If in doubt, send a photo.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. 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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Perfect for your event in Stocker's Head
Live paella is made for outdoor events: cooked outside, served hot and shared.
If you’re planning any of these, we can help:
- Big birthdays
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Festivals, fairs and school events
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Charing station, about 1.3 miles south-west.
Before booking anyone
- The deposit and payment dates
- Staff numbers and hours
- The deadline for final numbers
- The venue requirements
What paella catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- How many guests are eating
- Distance and access to the venue
- How many staff you need
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
What we need to know
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- A picture of the cooking space, if it’s a garden or field
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- Whether you want canapés, tapas or desserts
Send us the date, your venue or TN27 postcode and guest numbers, along with any dietary needs, and we’ll reply with a menu suggestion and a quote. To get started, use 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