Kent · England
Paella Catering for Woodland events
Something for every guest: meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan pans side by side. Live paella catering, cooked fresh in giant pans at your event in Woodland.
- Garden get-togethers
- Anniversaries and engagement parties
- Naming days and family parties
Live paella catering in Woodland
Paella catering in Woodland, cooked live
There’s something generous about paella: giant pans, saffron colour and a toasted crust that everyone fights over. It makes the food an event in itself. On the menu are vegan paella, vegetable paella and mixed paella, and we are regularly asked to cater retirement and leaving parties and family celebrations and christenings.
In a small place like Woodland, events are normally in a garden, a field or a nearby hall. Tell us about narrow lanes or long drives and we will plan for them, and cooking close to where we can park helps. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Before you choose a spot
Live paella is cooked over gas burners in large pans, so we need a suitable spot. Here’s what we look for:
- Clearance from fences, hedges, branches and anything flammable
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Open air or a well-ventilated covered spot
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and we will say what we think before booking.
Menu ideas
- Vegetable paella
- Black rice (arroz negro)
- Vegan paella
- Seafood paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
Also in Woodland
Paella compared with other options
Cold buffets are easy but forgettable, and food can sit out for a while. Paella is cooked live and served hot. When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: staff, crockery, bread and salads, travel and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
What you get with us
- No hidden extras in your quote
- Add tapas, canapés and Spanish desserts
- Hot food served quickly from the pan
- We cover Woodland and the whole of Kent
Take a look at Our prices page And The cost guide.
What affects the price in Woodland
Two events with the same number of guests can cost different amounts, because of:
- How many courses
- Guest numbers
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
There’s no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A garden party lunch and a full wedding menu are very different jobs. Your quote spells it all out.
What to tell us
The more we know about your event, the better we can plan. Please include:
- What the venue already provides
- A picture of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- Expected numbers
- Where the event is
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. To send your details, use our quote form.
FAQs for Woodland
Can you cook near the sea around Woodland?
Yes, with a sheltered cooking spot. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
What’s the nearest station to Woodland for guests?
Westenhanger station, about 2.9 miles south-west of the centre.
Can you do gluten-free paella?
We can cook a gluten-free paella in its own pan. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we can plan it carefully.
Is halal food available?
Yes. Halal paella is cooked with halal chicken and no pork or alcohol, in its own pan.
Can you feed a lot of people?
Very much so. We plan the number of pans and serving points around your numbers.
Which paella is most popular?
It depends on your guests. Chicken and mixed paellas tend to go first, alongside seafood and vegetable or vegan pans.
Do you cover Woodland?
Yes, we do. Woodland is one of the places we cover. Send us your date to check availability.
How long do you need on site?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. The rice itself takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Live paella in Woodland: local details
Woodland is about 4 miles north of Hythe, in Kent. We bring paella catering to homes, gardens and venues in Woodland and nearby villages. We cover 922 places across Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Woodland to Canterbury (10 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Westenhanger station, about 2.9 miles south-west. Nearby historic houses include Acrise Place (2.9 miles east) and Westenhanger Castle (3.1 miles south-west). Historic venues often limit cooking, so ask early if you’re booking one. Woodland is within about 3 miles of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Some venues in protected landscapes have rules about vehicles and cooking, so check with yours. The coast is within about 5 miles of Woodland, and seafood paella always feels right near the sea. Coastal wind means we plan a sheltered spot.
Wherever your event is in CT18, we can cook for your guests, from busy streets to quiet lanes. We also cook at events in Skeete (1 mile south-west), Hemsted (1 mile north-west), Lyminge (1 mile east), Rhodes Minnis (1 mile north-east) and Ottinge (1 mile east). Further out, we also cater in Ashford (9 miles west), Canterbury (10 miles north), Dover (10 miles east), Folkestone (5 miles south-east), Whitstable (15 miles north) and Deal (15 miles east).
Well-known places in the area include Royal Victoria Hospital (5.6 miles south-east) and Saltwood Castle (3.6 miles south). Not far away are Tolsford Hill.
How it works
Service is quick: the paella goes straight from the pan to the plate, so even a long queue moves. When service is finished, we pack down. In Woodland, the sun sets at about 9:15pm in late June and about 7:00pm in late September, 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.
- 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 from the pan, then clear our cooking area away.
How to prepare
- Confirm numbers and diets before the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Give us a contact for the day
Getting a price
Still deciding on the menu? That is fine: tell us about the occasion and the guests, and we’ll suggest a menu. To start, use our quote form.
Related guides
Can I cook paella for a crowd myself?
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but you’ll still need to source ingredients, prep and cook for hours. A caterer handles all of that.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. With live paella catering, you get the theatre without the work.
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Ask for labels on each pan
- Plan seating for most guests: paella is easiest eaten sitting down
- Confirm allergies by email
- Mention any other courses or food
Once the rice is in, it needs about 20 minutes, so we time it carefully. If timings shift, we adapt.
Bread, salad and lemon wedges make the meal go further and suit guests who aren’t big rice eaters.
Planners, venues and businesses
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we will keep everyone informed on the day.
If your event is in a public space, such as a park, check what permission you need first. We can send whatever the landowner or council needs from us.
About the dishes
Mixed paella
Mixed paella brings meat and seafood together.
Black rice
Black rice gets its colour from squid ink, traditionally with alioli. It is a striking addition to a seafood menu.
- 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