Medway · England
Live paella catering in Strood, Medway
Cooked live, served hot and made to share: live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event for events in Strood and across Medway.
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Community events and fairs
Paella catering near Strood
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps things safe and helps the paella cook evenly. We need:
- A safe distance from anything that could catch
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and we’ll say what we think.
On the menu in Strood
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
Paella catering in Strood, made fresh on the day
Watching it cook is part of the experience. People drift over as the sofrito sizzles and the rice turns gold, and the aroma does the rest. We’re frequently asked to cater office lunches and staff parties and naming days and family parties, serving seafood paella, vegan paella and black rice.
Gardens in Strood range from small patios to big lawns, and most can work for live paella. Have a gazebo ready in case of showers. Everything is cooked from scratch at your event, never made in advance and reheated, and served the moment it’s ready.
Also near Strood
Also in Strood
Paella compared with other options
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked in front of your guests and served hot. Live paella pricing depends on the event. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. Your quote spells it all out.
Why book with us
- Real theatre, not just catering
- A clear, itemised quote
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Live cooking, not reheated food
Read How we price Or Our guide to catering costs.
Occasions we cook for in Strood
It needs no kitchen, so it works in gardens, fields and marquees where other catering struggles.
Live paella suits almost any gathering. People in Strood book us for occasions like:
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Naming days and family parties
Parks such as Rede Common generally need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there.
Before you book anyone
- When final numbers are due
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- Staff numbers and hours
- When payment is due
What affects the price in Strood
Your quote will be clear and itemised. What affects it most:
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- The length of service
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. Even a simple menu can be a feast.
Getting an accurate quote
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- Where the event is
- What the venue already provides
- Which courses you have in mind
- Roughly how many adults and children
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We’ll come back with a clear quote and a suggested menu.
Strood questions
How far is Strood from London?
About 26 miles from central London, and we cover it as standard.
Which station should guests use for Strood?
The closest is Strood station, roughly 1 mile away.
Do you come to Strood?
Yes, we do. Strood is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
Do you clear up afterwards?
We take our equipment and leave the cooking area tidy. Table clearing is available with waiting staff.
Is paella enough as a main?
Paella is a meal in itself. Tapas and desserts can be added if you like.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three is usual: a meat or mixed paella, a seafood paella and a vegetable or vegan one. We will suggest a split based on your guests.
How much does paella catering cost in Strood?
Every event is quoted individually, based on what you actually want. Give us your date, numbers and menu ideas and we will reply with a price.
Is live paella good for a large crowd?
Yes, that is what it’s made for. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
Live paella in Strood: local details
Strood is about 3 miles north-west of Chatham, in Medway. Wherever your event is in the ME2 area, we can bring the pans to you. We cook in all 68 towns and villages in Medway, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Strood to London (26 miles away).
If you’re celebrating after a service at a church like St Francis' Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. For guests coming by train, Strood station is about 1 mile away.
This part of Medway takes in ME2, ME1 and ME3, so your event can be anywhere in it. That could mean an event in a garden on Ash Road, Gun Lane and Pine Road. You will find Strood on the A2 and A226, which makes it straightforward to bring the equipment. Close by, we cover events in Rochester (1 mile east), Borstal (1 mile south), Cuxton (2 miles south-west), Lower Bush (2 miles south-west) and Upper Bush (2 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Gillingham (4 miles east), Chatham (3 miles south-east), Rainham (6 miles east), Luton (3 miles south-east), Park Wood (6 miles south-east) and Lordswood (5 miles south-east). Strood is among the bigger towns we cover in Medway, with plenty of venues for events.
Well-known places in the area include Six Poor Travellers House (1.2 miles east) and French Hospital (1.2 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Rede Common and Gad's Hill.
- Nearby schools include Strood Academy (0.6 miles north-west) and Temple School (1.2 miles north-east)
- Pubs nearby include Crispin And Crispianus Public House (0.6 miles east)
- Parks and local facilities nearby include City of Rochester-upon-Medway (0.9 miles east)
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Pick a mix of paellas to cover every diet
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Put allergy details in writing
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll serve, clear and help keep things moving, so you can enjoy your guests.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
About the dishes
Paella Valenciana
The original paella from Valencia is a countryside dish of chicken and vegetables, rather than seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who don’t eat fish.
Black rice
Squid ink rice is bold and savoury.
How it works
We work to your timings. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s still served fresh. Around midsummer it stays light in Strood until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening events are normally served in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:50pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- First, tell us about your event.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a clear quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- 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.
Before we arrive
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
How to get a price
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, use our quote form.
Planning help
Working with your venue
For larger events, we plan the number of pans and serving points around your timings, so everyone eats promptly. Let us know how long the food break is.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we are happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
- 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