Kent · England
Paella Catering for Waterham events
Bring the theatre of live paella to your event in Waterham. We cook from scratch on site, then served hot from the pan.
- Festivals, fairs and school events
- Staff parties and work lunches
- Christenings and family gatherings
Paella catering for Waterham events
About our paella catering in Waterham
There is something generous about paella: giant pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It makes the food an event in itself. Typical bookings include fairs, fêtes and festivals and anniversaries and engagement parties, serving vegan paella, vegetable paella and mixed paella.
In a hamlet or village like Waterham, your own garden or a neighbour’s field can make a wonderful venue. Mention gates and soft ground when you get in touch. We serve straight from the pan, so it is hot and generous, and service is quick once it is ready.
Planning the cooking area
Safety and good cooking both depend on the spot we use. We need:
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegan paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
Planning for every diet
Allergies and diets are taken seriously. Help us by following these steps:
- Ensure most guests can sit to eat
- Mention any other courses or food
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Tell us how many children are coming
Once everyone is fed, we clear our cooking area.
Spanish desserts such as churros or crema catalana finish the meal, or serve your own cake.
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
For a small group, cooking yourself can work well. For larger numbers, mixed diets or a wedding, a caterer takes the pressure off, and keeps vegetarian and allergy-safe pans separate.
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Think about numbers, diets and how much you want to enjoy the day. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
Paella compared with other options
For something a little different, live paella brings colour, aroma and a touch of Spain. Seafood and premium ingredients cost more than chicken or vegetable paellas, so the menu you choose affects the price. We will suggest options to suit your budget.
Why Waterham hosts choose us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Fast service from the pan
- Real theatre, not just catering
See How we price Or The cost guide.
Why choose paella catering in Waterham?
There’s no kitchen needed, so it is at home in gardens, fields and marquees where plated meals are hard.
These are some of the occasions we cater in Waterham and Kent:
- Garden get-togethers
- Milestone birthday parties
- Naming days and family parties
- Weddings and evening receptions
For guests coming by train, Whitstable station is about 3.4 miles away.
What your quote should include
- VAT, if it applies
- How bad weather is handled
- Travel and parking costs
- Staff numbers and hours
For event organisers in Waterham
Hosting a party at home? Send us a photo of the garden and tell us about access, and we will tell you honestly whether live paella will work.
If you are organising for someone else, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It saves passing messages back and forth.
Nearby places to Waterham
Also in Waterham
A closer look at the menu
Seafood paella
Seafood paella starts with a good fish and shellfish stock. Shellfish goes in towards the end so it stays tender.
Black rice
Arroz negro is coloured and flavoured with squid ink, and is generally served with alioli. It makes a dramatic second seafood pan.
Your questions about paella catering in Waterham
Is Waterham close to London?
Roughly 48 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Is Waterham 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.
Which paella is most popular?
That depends on who’s coming. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, with seafood and vegetable pans alongside.
Do we need to provide equipment?
Pans, burners and ingredients all come with us. You provide a suitable spot and access.
What seafood can we have?
Tell us your preferences and we will suggest seafood options to suit your menu and budget. Premium shellfish can be added.
Is paella enough as a main?
It can be. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course.
Do you cater for vegetarian guests?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans, alongside the meat and seafood pans.
Do you do desserts?
Yes. Churros, crema catalana and tarta de Santiago are popular choices, or you can serve your own cake.
Catering an event in Waterham
Waterham is about 3 miles south-west of Whitstable, in Kent. For an event in Waterham, we can cook in gardens, marquees, barns, courtyards and offices. We cook in all 922 towns and villages across Kent. We cook right across the region, from Waterham to Canterbury (6 miles away).
Parks such as Seasalter Levels generally need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. School fairs and fundraisers, for a school such as Hernhill Church of England Primary School, can book us as a food stall. Waterham is within about 4 miles of the sea, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
For paella catering in ME13, we plan around your venue and your guests. We also cook at events in Highstreet (1 mile east), Dargate (1 mile south), Hernhill (1 mile south-west), Graveney (1 mile west) and Culmers (2 miles west). Larger places within reach include Ashford (14 miles south), Canterbury (6 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (10 miles west), Whitstable (3 miles north-east), Faversham (4 miles west) and Herne Bay (7 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital (4 miles north-east) and Tankerton Castle (3.7 miles north-east). Not far away are Blean Woods RSPB Reserve.
How the day works
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. It needs a level spot with some shelter and good ventilation, which we agree with you beforehand. In Waterham, the sun sets at about 9:15pm in late June and about 7:00pm in late September, so summer evening events are generally 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.
- You get a menu and an itemised quote.
- We agree timings, access and the cooking spot.
- We cook live on the day while guests watch.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Before we arrive
- Plan cover in case of rain
- Pick a flat, firm spot for us to cook
- Name one person we can ask on the day
Getting a price
A detailed enquiry gets a more accurate quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use 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