Kent · England
Live paella catering in Wilmington, Kent
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 Wilmington.
- Milestone birthday parties
- Community events and fairs
- Christenings and family gatherings
Paella catering near Wilmington
Wilmington: your questions answered
Can you cook at venues in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, though some venues in protected landscapes have extra rules; ask your venue. We will work to whatever the site needs.
Can you cater a reception after a service at St Barnabas?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Churches rarely have space for live cooking, so the meal is typically elsewhere. Tell us where the reception will be.
Is the paella gluten-free?
Yes, on request. Rice is naturally gluten-free, but stock and some ingredients may not be, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Is the paella cooked on site?
Yes. We arrive with everything we need and cook on the day, serving it hot from the pan.
How much space do you need?
Not a lot: a flat spot away from anything flammable, with space to serve. Send us a picture if you are not sure.
When should we book?
The sooner the better. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
Can paella be the only main course?
It can be. Paella with bread and salad makes a full main course, and tapas or dessert can be added.
Do you do starters?
Yes, it’s the classic pairing. Tapas go out first, then the paella.
Paella catering for your event in Wilmington
Live paella works almost anywhere with a level, ventilated spot: a garden, marquee, barn, courtyard or field in and around Wilmington. We cook vegetable paella, mixed paella and chicken and chorizo paella, and we are frequently booked for weddings, from canapés to evening food and milestone birthday parties.
Somewhere as small as Wilmington, a garden or field is often the venue. Country lanes and long drives are no problem if we know about them, and a firm spot near where we park makes set-up easier. We plan the timings around your day, whether that is speeches, a lunch break or a festival schedule.
Also near Wilmington
Also in Wilmington
Why live cooking beats a buffet
Vans serve one order at a time. A big pan serves many guests fast, which suits weddings and parties where everyone eats together. The price depends on your guest numbers, the menu and how many courses you choose, along with staff, extras and travel. We quote for each event individually.
Why Wilmington hosts choose us
- Events in Wilmington and across Kent
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- A clear, itemised quote
See Our prices page And The cost guide.
How it works
On the day, we set up the burners and pans and start cooking the sofrito and stock. The rice goes in about 20 minutes before serving, so we time everything to your schedule. Around midsummer it stays light in Wilmington until about 9:20pm; by late September sunset is nearer 7:05pm, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. For winter events, when it’s dark by about 3:50pm, we need lighting at the cooking spot.
- 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.
- We serve from the pan, then pack down.
Getting ready for the day
- Leave space around the cooking area
- Let us know who to talk to on the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
Get a quote
To get a price, use our quote form. Tell us about your event in Wilmington, and we’ll suggest paellas and extras to suit.
Read more
Space, weather and the venue
We cook in large pans over gas burners, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Flat, firm ground for the cooking area
Not sure about your space? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly before you book.
Popular choices
- Seafood paella
- Vegan paella
- Mixed paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
What affects the price in Wilmington
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- How many guests are eating
- Your choice of paellas
- Crockery and cutlery, or disposables
- The length of service
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, sides, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The courses you’d like
- Expected numbers
- The date and time of the event
- The address or venue name
Each quote is tailored to your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we will confirm whether we’re available that day.
A closer look at the menu
Paella Valenciana
In Valencia, the recipe is fiercely debated. The traditional pan has chicken, flat green beans and butter beans, and it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Vegetable and vegan paella
A vegetable paella isn’t an afterthought: artichokes, beans, peppers and saffron.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Weighing up DIY against a caterer? Consider your numbers, your guests’ diets and your own time. We are happy to give you a quote to compare.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Organising for someone else?
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on timings and set-up.
Organising a club, school or community event in Wilmington? Live paella feeds a crowd quickly and suits most diets. Tell us about the event and we will suggest a menu.
Catering an event in Wilmington
Wilmington is about 2 miles south-west of Dartford, in Kent. Anywhere in DA2, we can bring the pans to you. Wilmington is one of 922 towns and villages in Kent we cover. Our nearest city page is London, about 13 miles away.
Historic houses near Wilmington include Hall Place and Gardens (1.7 miles north-west) and Red House (3 miles north-west). Historic venues frequently limit cooking, so ask early if you are booking one. Thinking of a picnic-style party in Dartford Heath? Public parks normally need permission from the council or landowner for cooking, so check first. Wilmington is within about 7 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Check your venue’s rules on vehicles and cooking.
Here we cover the DA2, DA5 and DA1 postcode area, so your event can be anywhere in it. Whether your event is on Common Lane, Parsons Lane and Oakfield Lane or a nearby road, we’ll bring the pans to you. Wilmington is on the A2, so it’s easy for us to reach with the van and pans. We also cook at events in Bowmans (1 mile north), Joyden's Wood (1 mile west), Puddledock (1 mile south-west), Coldblow (1 mile north-west) and Crayford (1 mile north). We also cook in nearby towns such as Sevenoaks (10 miles south), Gravesend (8 miles east), Northfleet (7 miles east), Kings Hill (14 miles south-east), Swanscombe (5 miles east) and Windmill Hill (8 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Dartford Library (1.6 miles north-east) and Broadway Shopping Centre (2.5 miles north-west). Green spaces nearby include Wansunt Pit.
- Local schools include Wilmington Primary School (less than half a mile south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Plough pub (0.9 miles east)
- Local facilities include Colyers (2.8 miles north)
Catering for every guest
Nearly every event has some special diets. To cater well for them:
- Tell us how many children are coming
- Request clear labels at the serving table
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
- Make sure most guests can sit to eat
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If plans change, tell us and we will adjust.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further.
- 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