Kent · England
Paella party catering in Coldharbour, Kent
Paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Coldharbour: paella cooked from scratch in giant pans, right in front of your guests, with tapas, desserts and drinks if you want them.
- Wakes and memorial gatherings
- Street parties and neighbourhood get-togethers
- Baby celebrations
Paella party catering near Coldharbour
What’s in the pans
Chicken & chorizo paella
Chicken and chorizo is a crowd-pleaser, though it is not traditional in Valencia.
Tapas
A few tapas set the scene while they watch the pans.
Paella party catering for your party in Coldharbour
You get to be a guest at your own party: no shopping, prep or cooking. We take care of the food. For street and neighbourhood parties and christenings and naming days, we’ll put together a menu of mixed paella, vegetable paella and tapas.
In a small place like Coldharbour, a party in the garden or a nearby field is often the plan. Let us know about access, and we will plan the set-up. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
How we price paella party catering
Here’s what makes the biggest difference to the price:
- Timings and hours
- The paellas you choose
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- Plates, cutlery and glassware
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
These details help us quote quickly:
- A picture of the space, if you can
- Which courses you have in mind
- Whether the venue has crockery or staff
- Expected numbers
Getting a quote is simple: share your date, venue, numbers and diets. We will come back with a clear quote.
For planners, venues and organisers
If you’re planning an event on someone’s behalf, such as a wedding planner, an office manager or a festival organiser, we’re happy to deal with you and the venue directly. It keeps things simple.
Venues frequently have their own rules about outside caterers: cooking areas, access times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll follow them.
The process
Your timings come first. If speeches run late or the photos take longer, we adjust the cooking so it’s served at its best. For a late-May party in Coldharbour, sunset is around 8:50pm; at midsummer it is about 9:20pm. If the party runs past dark, we will need light where we cook and serve.
- First, we check the date and the space.
- You choose your paellas and any extras.
- The burners go on and the sofrito starts.
- In goes the rice, and guests gather.
- We serve hot and tidy our area afterwards.
Getting ready for the day
- Get the venue’s permission for cooking
- Ensure the spot is clear of anything flammable
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
How to get a price
We quote for each event separately, so the price fits what you actually want. To ask for one, send us your details through our quote form.
Related guides
Live paella or other catering?
A buffet takes hours to prepare and leaves food sitting out. Paella is cooked fresh and served hot. Got a budget? Let us know, and we’ll put together a menu that fits. A simple menu can still feel generous.
What you get with us
- Waiting staff and crockery on request
- Tapas, canapés and desserts if you want them
- Everything cooked fresh at your event
- Events in Coldharbour and across Kent
Read How we price And The cost guide.
Parties in Coldharbour: gardens, venues and local tips
Coldharbour is about 2 miles north of Tonbridge, in Kent. Wherever your party is in the TN11 area, we will come to your venue or garden. We cook in all 922 towns and villages in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Coldharbour to London (24 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Hildenborough station, about 1.6 miles south-west. After a christening at a church like Parish Church of St John, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
This part of Kent takes in TN11. Nearby, we also cater parties in Hildenborough (1 mile south-west), Hilden Park (1 mile south), Watt's Cross (1 mile west), Budds (1 mile north) and Stocks Green (2 miles south-west). We also cook in nearby towns such as Maidstone (12 miles east), Dartford (15 miles north), Sevenoaks (5 miles north-west), Royal Tunbridge Wells (6 miles south), Gravesend (15 miles north) and Northfleet (15 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include Tonbridge Castle (2.2 miles south) and The Milne Museum (2 miles south). Not far away are Tudeley Woods RSPB reserve and Barden Lake.
- Nearby schools include Hugh Christie Technology College (1.4 miles south-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Flying Dutchman Public House (1 mile south-west)
Dietary needs and planning tips
With a little notice, every diet is easy. We suggest:
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
- Put out bins for general waste and recycling
- Warn the neighbours
- Make sure children stay back from the pans
We keep the cooking area tidy and safe, with space kept clear around the burners.
Sangria sets the mood, with an alcohol-free version for drivers and children.
Places near Coldharbour
Other catering in Coldharbour
Coldharbour questions
Can you cater a reception after a service at Parish Church of St John?
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. Tell us where the reception will be.
What’s the nearest station to Coldharbour for guests?
The closest is Hildenborough station, roughly 1.6 miles away.
Is halal food available?
Yes, on request. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we will cook a separate pan.
How long does the paella take?
We arrive well before serving to set up and start the stock. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
How much paella per person?
Pans are sized to your numbers and other courses. Let us know about any other food. See how much paella per person.
Can you cater for vegetarians and vegans?
Of course. Vegetarian and vegan paellas are cooked in separate pans.
Is my garden big enough?
Many gardens work. We need level ground, clearance and access. Send us a picture.
Who clears up?
We clear our cooking area away when service is finished. Clearing guests’ plates and tables can be added with waiting staff.
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Not sure whether to cook yourself or book 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.
Some hosts like to cook themselves. The usual problems are a pan too big for the burner, too much rice and stirring once the rice is in. If you’d rather be with your guests, we will do the cooking.
Space, weather and the venue
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but a few things matter:
- Level ground for the pans and burners
- Agreement from the venue or landowner to cook on site
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
Not sure about your space? Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly before you book.
On the menu in Coldharbour
- Vegetable paella
- Mixed paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Churros
- 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