Kent · England
Paella Catering in Waltham
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Waltham. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Anniversary celebrations
- Retirement celebrations
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Paella catering near Waltham
Paella catering in Waltham, made fresh on the day
Almost any venue with a level, ventilated spot will do: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field. For retirement and leaving parties and big birthdays, we can cook paella Valenciana, chicken and chorizo paella and vegetable paella for your guests.
In a rural place like Waltham, the setting does a lot of the work: a huge pan in a garden or field fits perfectly. Let us know about access and ground conditions. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Planning live paella in Waltham
Waltham is about 6 miles south-west of Canterbury, in Kent. Events in Waltham are planned around your venue and timings: a quote, a plan and live cooking on the day. We cook in 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 6 miles away.
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like Church of St Bartholomew, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 4 miles of Waltham, 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.
We cover events in every part of CT4 and the streets around it. Whether your event is on Church Lane, Richdore Road and Kake Street or anywhere nearby, we can cook there. For events just outside Waltham, we cover Stelling Minnis (2 miles east), Bossingham (2 miles east), Stowting Common (4 miles south), Stowting (4 miles south) and Rhodes Minnis (4 miles south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Ashford (8 miles south-west), Canterbury (6 miles north-east), Dover (13 miles east), Folkestone (10 miles south-east), Whitstable (11 miles north) and Faversham (10 miles north-west).
A little further out are Chilham Castle (4.1 miles north-west) and Kent and Canterbury Hospital (5.5 miles north-east).
- Local pubs include Compasses Inn (0.9 miles north-west)
Common questions in Waltham
Is Waltham too small for live paella?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Tell us about lanes, gates and parking.
Can you cater a reception after a service at Church of St Bartholomew?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking usually happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
What happens if it rains?
We need a covered spot, such as a gazebo, marquee or open-sided barn with good ventilation. We plan for rain with you in advance.
What areas do you cover?
London and the South East: Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight, including Waltham.
What space do you need to cook?
Less than you might think: a level spot clear of fences, hedges and branches, with room for a serving table. If in doubt, send a picture.
When should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays. Even if it is short notice, it’s worth asking.
Can you bring crockery?
We can. Let us know what you have, and we will quote for the rest.
Where we can cook in Waltham
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Good ventilation: outdoors, or an open-sided cover
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
On the menu in Waltham
- Seafood paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
Paella compared with other options
A cold buffet is simple but has no theatre, and the food sits out. Paella is cooked live and served hot. 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.
Why book with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Events in Waltham and across Kent
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The classic version is chicken, green beans and butter beans with saffron.
Vegetable and vegan paella
The vegetable pan is a dish in its own right: peppers, artichokes and beans with saffron.
More for events in Waltham
Catering for every guest
A little planning makes sure everyone can eat. Try these:
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Give us separate numbers for children
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Let us know about other food at the event
A short rest after cooking helps, which is when we generally call guests over.
Finish with churros, crema catalana or tarta de Santiago, or serve your own cake.
For planners, venues and organisers
Planners and coordinators can contact us directly, and we will keep you updated on timings and set-up.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
DIY paella versus live catering
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather be with your guests, we’ll do the cooking.
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, keep the stock hot, and don’t stir once the rice goes in. And keep children and pets well away from the burner.
What paella catering costs
Each event is quoted on its own, and the price depends on a few things:
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
- Travel, parking and access
- Starters, canapés and desserts
- The number of people
Tapas, desserts, sangria, staff and crockery are optional extras, so you can choose exactly what you need.
Getting an accurate quote
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what to include:
- Approximate guest numbers, including children
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Your date and when you want to eat
- The address or venue name
Every quote is put together for your event. Give us your date and numbers, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
How the day works
Service is quick: we serve straight from the pan, so large groups are fed quickly. Afterwards we clear our cooking area away. Around midsummer it stays light in Waltham until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- Start with the date, the place and the numbers.
- We come back with paellas to suit your guests, plus any extras.
- A week or so before, we confirm the plan.
- On the day we cook live, timed around your event.
- We serve, then leave our area tidy.
Before we arrive
- Give us a contact for the day
- Tell us where to park and unload
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
Get a quote
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Planning help
- 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