Kent · England
Paella Catering in Upchurch
From the first sizzle in the pan to the last crispy spoonful, live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event turns food into part of your event in Upchurch.
- Big birthdays
- Fairs, fêtes and festivals
- Summer garden parties
Paella catering near Upchurch
Planning the cooking area
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so the cooking area needs a little planning. Here’s what we look for:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Upchurch
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
About our paella catering in Upchurch
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, beginning with a sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, then the stock, saffron and rice. Popular choices include vegetable paella, seafood paella and paella Valenciana, and we are regularly asked to cater anniversaries and engagement parties and company summer parties.
Somewhere as small as Upchurch, a garden or field is frequently the venue. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we’ll plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. The paella is served straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and a queue moves quickly.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
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. We’re happy to give you a quote to compare.
Organising for someone else?
Throwing a party at home? Send us a picture of the garden and tell us about access, and we will let you know if live paella is a good fit.
For big numbers, we plan pans and serving points to keep queues short, so guests are fed quickly. Tell us how long you have for food.
Is live paella right for your event?
For something a little different, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre. If you have a budget in mind, tell us, and we will put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What you get with us
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Sangria and bar staff available
- Paella cooked from scratch on site
Read Our prices page And What paella catering costs.
How the day works
Your timings come first. If things run behind, we adjust the cooking so it is still served fresh. Planning an evening event in Upchurch? Sunset is around 8:50pm in late May, 9:15pm at midsummer and 7:00pm in late September; once it is dark, we need light to cook and serve by.
- First, tell us about your event.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- Timings, access and the cooking area are agreed in advance.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- It’s served straight from the pan, and we clear our area afterwards.
How to prepare
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Getting a price
Send us the date, your venue or ME9 postcode and guest numbers, plus any dietary needs, and you’ll get a menu idea and a price. To get started, fill in our quote form.
Related guides
Live paella in Upchurch: local details
Upchurch is about 3 miles east of Gillingham, in Kent. We cook at events in homes, gardens and venues in Upchurch and the surrounding area. Upchurch is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent where we cook. We cook right across the region, from Upchurch to Canterbury (about 20 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Rainham (Kent) station, about 1.6 miles south-west. 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. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles of Upchurch, and country venues and gardens there suit live paella perfectly. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours.
Anywhere in ME9 and ME8, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. That could mean an event in a garden on The Street, Crosier Court and Horsham Lane. Nearby, we also cater events in Lower Halstow (1 mile east), Breach (1 mile south), Moor Street (1 mile south-west), Lower Rainham (1 mile west) and Newington (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also cater in Maidstone (9 miles south-west), Sittingbourne (4 miles south-east), Gravesend (12 miles west), Faversham (11 miles east), Northfleet (14 miles west) and Minster (7 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Medway Maritime Hospital (4.5 miles west) and Bayford Court (4.8 miles south-east). Open spaces near Upchurch include Bishop Saltings.
- Local schools include Leigh Academy Rainham (1.4 miles south-west)
Upchurch questions
We are having a ceremony at Church of St Mary the Virgin: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is usually elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Can you cook in Berengrave Chalk Pit?
Only with permission from the park’s owner, normally the council. Check with them, and we’ll provide our paperwork.
What areas do you cover?
London and South East England: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Upchurch.
How do you work out quantities?
We size the pans for your numbers and the rest of the menu. Tell us what else is being served. Our guide to portions explains more.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain doesn’t stop us, as long as there is a ventilated cover. We will make a plan B with you.
What seafood can we have?
Seafood choices are agreed when we plan the menu.
Who clears up?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
How soon do we need to book?
As soon as you have a date. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
Nearby places to Upchurch
What else we do in Upchurch
A closer look at the menu
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, and is usually served with alioli. It’s a striking addition to a seafood menu.
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans, and it is a crowd-pleaser.
Perfect for your event in Upchurch
Outdoor events and live paella go together: it’s cooked in the open, served hot and eaten together.
Live paella works for big and small events alike. Common bookings include:
- Summer garden parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
Parks such as Berengrave Chalk Pit usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there.
What your quote should include
- The deadline for final numbers
- How dietary needs and allergies are handled
- How long the team stays
- What the price includes, item by item
How we price paella catering
Live paella pricing is straightforward once we know the basics:
- The paellas you choose
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Waiting and bar staff
- The number of people
Extras such as tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are priced separately, so you only pay for what you want.
What to tell us
You do not need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- Your date and when you want to eat
- Which courses you have in mind
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, fill in 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