Kent · England
Live paella catering in Willington, Kent
Treat your guests to live paella at your event in Willington. Everything is cooked fresh on the day, and serve it straight from the pan.
- Weddings, from canapés to evening food
- Big birthdays
- Retirement celebrations
Planning an event in Willington?
Why live cooking beats a buffet
For something a little different, live paella adds colour, smell and theatre to your event in Willington. 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.
What you get with us
- A quote that spells everything out
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Plates, cutlery and waiting staff available
See How we price And Our guide to catering costs.
Paella catering in Willington, cooked live
We cook every paella from scratch on the day, starting with a slow sofrito of onion, garlic, peppers and tomato, followed by stock, saffron and rice. Typical bookings include company summer parties and big birthdays, with vegetable paella, mixed paella and paella Valenciana.
Around Willington, events are frequently in gardens, local halls or nearby venues. If the road in is narrow, tell us so we can plan the van. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so it arrives hot and becomes part of the event.
Paella catering around Willington
Willington is about 2 miles south-east of Maidstone, in Kent. For an event in Willington, we cater in back gardens, halls with outdoor space, barns, marquees and offices. Willington is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is Canterbury, about 23 miles away.
If you are celebrating after a service at a church like St Martin's Church, live paella at a garden or venue nearby works well. Parks such as Mote Park usually need the owner’s permission for cooking, so ask before you plan a party there. Willington is within about 4 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a lovely setting for an outdoor event. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
This part of Kent takes in ME15 and ME17. We can cater an event on streets such as Essex Road, Oxford Road and Sutton Road or the roads around them. Being close to the A274, Willington is simple for us to get to. If your venue is just outside Willington, we also cover Shepway (1 mile west), Otham (1 mile south-east), Park Wood (1 mile south), Bearsted (2 miles north-east) and Weavering (2 miles north). Further out, we also cater in Ashford (15 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (10 miles north-east), Royal Tunbridge Wells (15 miles south-west), Gravesend (15 miles north-west), Tonbridge (13 miles west) and Faversham (15 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include KIMS hospital (2.4 miles north) and The Mall Maidstone (2 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Detling Hill.
- Nearby schools include Senacre Technology College (0.7 miles south) and New Line Learning Academy (1.1 miles west)
- Nearby, you will find The White Horse pub (0.7 miles south-east)
What else we do in Willington
Your questions about paella catering in Willington
How far is Willington from London?
Roughly 33 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
We’re having a ceremony at St Martin's Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a garden, marquee or venue nearby with a suitable spot to cook. Live cooking typically happens at the reception venue, not the church. Send us the reception address.
Do you do starters?
Of course. Canapé tapas with the drinks, or table tapas to share, while the rice is cooking.
What is live paella catering?
We bring everything needed to cook on site, cook while everyone watches, and serve at the time you want.
Do you take everything away?
We pack down our cooking area after service. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Can you cater for children?
Of course. Children often love a simple chicken paella. Include children in your numbers.
Is paella enough as a main?
It can be. With bread and salad, paella is a complete main.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can, if you tell us in advance. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we make a separate gluten-free pan.
What happens on the day
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, set up the cooking area and get the stock going. Guests typically gather round to watch as the paella takes shape. Around midsummer it stays light in Willington until about 9:15pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:00pm, so summer evening service is normally in daylight. In December it’s dark by about 3:50pm, so winter events need lighting where we cook.
- You tell us the date, venue, guest numbers and any dietary needs.
- We suggest a menu and confirm a quote, including what’s included.
- On the day, we set up the burners and pans and get the stock going.
- The paella cooks in front of your guests, with tapas first if you’ve chosen them.
- We serve it hot from the pan and clear our area when service ends.
Getting ready for the day
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Arrange parking near the cooking spot
- Have a gazebo or cover ready if rain is likely
Getting a price
Thinking about paella catering for your event in Willington? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a menu and a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Dishes our guests love
Paella Valenciana
Paella Valenciana is the original: chicken, beans and saffron, rather than seafood. It’s a favourite with guests who do not eat fish.
Black rice
Black rice looks dramatic and tastes of the sea, and is popular with adventurous guests.
Planning the cooking area
Every venue is different, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly.
What we offer
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Seafood paella
For planners, venues and organisers
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.
For repeat events, such as annual staff parties or seasonal fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the quote reflects:
- Travel, parking and access
- Waiting and bar staff
- The paellas you choose
- How many courses
The cost per head typically falls as numbers rise, because the cooking set-up is similar for different sizes of event. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What we need to know
To check availability and price, we need:
- The courses you’d like
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- Roughly how many adults and children
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, fill in our quote form.
Why choose paella catering in Willington?
It suits relaxed, sociable events, with guests mingling as it cooks before sitting down to eat.
These are some of the occasions we cater around Willington:
- Garden get-togethers
- Family celebrations and christenings
- Office lunches and staff parties
- Milestone birthday parties
For guests coming by train, Bearsted station is about 1.9 miles away.
What to look for in a quote
- How late numbers can change
- If the price includes VAT
- Space, access and power needs
- How long the team stays
Should I cook it myself?
Cooking it yourself? Test your pan and burner first, have hot stock ready, and leave the rice alone once it’s in. Keep a clear zone around the burner.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you will still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. We take care of all of it.
- 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