Medway · England
Paella Party Catering in Cooling
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events across Cooling and Medway, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Engagement and anniversary parties
- Family get-togethers
Paella party catering near Cooling
Before you choose a spot
Most outdoor spaces and many venues work for live paella, but there are a few things to check:
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- Confirmation that open cooking is allowed
- Outdoor space or a ventilated gazebo
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
Menu ideas
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Mixed paella
- Vegetable paella
- Tapas
- Seafood paella
- Paella Valenciana
- Churros
Paella party catering for your party in Cooling
Paella is made for relaxed parties: it is served from the pan and shared, without any fuss. We are often asked to cater baby celebrations and engagement and anniversary parties, serving tapas, vegetable paella and chicken and chorizo paella.
Country parties near Cooling suit live paella: cooked in the open and served hot. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. All the cooking equipment comes with us, and we clear our cooking area away afterwards.
Places near Cooling
Also in Cooling
Cooling parties: what to know
Cooling is about 5 miles north of Rochester, in Medway. Give us the address of your party in Cooling, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. We cater in all 68 towns and villages across Medway, from the larger towns to small villages. Our events stretch from Cooling to London (about 27 miles away).
For guests coming by train, Higham station is about 3.3 miles away. After a christening at a church like St James' Church, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends.
Anywhere in ME3, we can bring paella party catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include Main Road and Cooling Road, and we can cook for a party on any of them. Nearby, we also cater parties in Cooling Street (1 mile south-west), High Halstow (2 miles east), Sharnal Street (2 miles south-east), Fenn Street (2 miles east) and Chattenden (2 miles south). We also cook in nearby towns such as Gillingham (6 miles south), Chatham (7 miles south), Rochester (5 miles south), Rainham (7 miles south-east), Strood (5 miles south-west) and Luton (6 miles south).
Other landmarks nearby include Upnor Castle (3.4 miles south) and French Hospital (4.8 miles south). Not far away are Canvey Wick and Gad's Hill.
DIY paella versus live catering
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 enjoy the party, let us cook.
You can hire equipment and do it yourself, but there is shopping, prep and hours of cooking. A caterer handles all of that.
Planning for every diet
Most events have a mix of diets. To plan for them:
- Plan seats for most guests
- Ask guests about diets when you invite them
- Plan where rubbish goes
- Arrange a gazebo in case of rain
Booked staff help serve and clear.
Tapas and nibbles while the paella cooks keep hunger at bay.
About the dishes
Vegetable paella
Vegetable paella in its own right, with peppers, beans and artichokes.
Chicken & chorizo paella
A smoky favourite with children and adults, and a good choice for guests who do not eat seafood.
Live paella or other catering?
For a party that feels a little special without being formal, live paella fits perfectly. Travel, parking and access can affect the price, so tell us about the venue when you ask for a quote. Everything is confirmed in writing.
Why Cooling hosts choose us
- Starters and desserts to complete the menu
- Crockery and waiting staff if you need them
- Separate pans for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests
- Cooking your guests will gather round to watch
See Our pricing And Our guide to catering costs.
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Staff: cooks, waiting staff and bar staff
- How long we’re needed on site
- How many guests are eating
Larger events usually cost less per head, since the set-up is much the same either way. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
What we need to know
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and allergy numbers
- A picture of where we’d cook
- Anything your venue supplies
- The venue or postcode
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the venue, the timings, the courses you’d like and any extras. When you’re ready, use our quote form.
Why choose paella party catering in Cooling?
One big dish is simpler than lots of small ones.
Here are some of the events we cook for:
- Family reunions
- Big birthdays
- Christenings and naming days
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
Nearby historic houses include Restoration House (4.9 miles south) and Temple Manor (4.9 miles south). If you are hiring a historic venue for a big birthday, check its rules on outside caterers first.
Comparing caterers
- Space, access and power needs
- Whether VAT is included
- Who provides the crockery
- Staff numbers and hours
Step by step
It’s a relaxed, well-organised set-up. We agree arrival and serving times in advance, set up our cooking area, and get on with cooking and serving. Sunset in Cooling is about 8:50pm in late May and 9:20pm in late June. After dark, the cooking area needs good lighting.
- It starts with your date, address, numbers and any diets.
- You get a menu suggestion and a clear price.
- We arrive, set up in your garden or venue and start the sofrito.
- The paella cooks while your guests chat, with any tapas served first.
- We serve from the pan and clear our cooking area away when we are done.
Preparing for the day
- Let us know the timings for the day
- Send us final numbers and dietary needs in good time
- Arrange a covered spot for wet weather
Ask for a quote
We need only a few details to quote: the date, where the event is, how many guests and any dietary needs. To send them, fill in our quote form.
Read more
Common questions in Cooling
We are having a ceremony at St James' Church: can you cater afterwards?
Yes, at a nearby garden, marquee or hall where we can cook. Live cooking normally happens at the reception venue, not the church. Tell us where the reception will be.
Do you come out to small places like Cooling?
Not at all. We cater in villages and hamlets as well as towns. Let us know about access and parking.
How long do you need on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, timed around your event.
Do you cater for coeliacs?
Yes, on request. The rice is gluten-free, but stocks and chorizo can contain gluten, so we cook a gluten-free paella separately.
Can you cook indoors?
Normally we cook outdoors or under a ventilated cover, since the burners are gas. We will check whether your venue has a suitable space.
Do you bring plates and cutlery?
Yes, if you need them. Let us know and we will add it to the quote.
How many paellas should we have?
Two or three covers most guests. We will recommend a mix based on diets.
Can you serve tapas as well?
Yes. Canapés with drinks or tapas for the tables, served while the paella cooks.
- 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