Kent · England
Paella party catering in Ham, Kent
We cook paella catering for birthday parties, garden parties and private events in Ham and nearby, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
- Retirement and leaving parties
- Garden parties and summer barbecues
- Christenings and naming days
Live paella party catering in Ham
About the dishes
Vegetable paella
Vegetarians get a real main course.
Tapas
Patatas bravas, tortilla, croquetas and olives to start.
About our paella party catering in Ham
Tapas first, churros after and sangria throughout, and the party menu is complete. On the menu are seafood paella, tapas and churros, and we’re often booked for big birthdays and neighbourhood celebrations.
A country party near Ham is perfect for paella: cooked outside, served from the pan. Have a gazebo ready in case of rain. We cook every pan in full view of your guests, so the food is hot, fresh and part of the occasion.
More for events in Ham
Why choose paella party catering in Ham?
One big dish beats lots of fiddly ones, and there’s little waste.
We’re booked for all kinds of occasions in Ham and nearby. Some of the most common are:
- Anniversary celebrations
- Street and neighbourhood parties
- Retirement celebrations
- Naming days and christenings
Historic houses near Ham include Walmer Castle (4.4 miles south-east) and Goodnestone Park (4.5 miles west). Grand settings like these often have strict catering rules, so for most parties a garden or hired hall is simpler.
Comparing caterers
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- The venue requirements
- When final numbers are due
- Whether travel is included
What we need at the venue
No two venues are the same, so we ask about the space before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Somewhere close to park and unload
- Space well away from trees, fences and gazebo walls
- The venue’s permission for live cooking
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise before booking.
What we offer
- Mixed paella
- Chicken & chorizo paella
- Tapas
- Churros
- Paella Valenciana
- Vegetable paella
- Seafood paella
Cook it yourself or book a caterer?
Plenty of people try cooking paella for their own party. Common mistakes are mismatched pans and burners, overfilling and stirring. If you’d rather enjoy the party, let us cook.
DIY catering keeps costs down, but the host spends the party cooking. Booking us means you get the show without the stress.
Diets, allergies and planning
With a little notice, every diet is easy. Our advice:
- Let the neighbours know
- Add a diet question to the invitation
- Keep a clear zone around the cooking area
- Plan a covered spot for wet weather
If you’ve booked staff, they’ll help serve and clear.
We can bring plates, cutlery and staff.
Hosting a paella party in Ham
Ham is about 3 miles north-west of Deal, in Kent. Tell us where your party in Ham will be, and we will plan the journey and set-up before the day. Ham is one of 922 places in Kent where we cook. Our events stretch from Ham to Canterbury (11 miles away).
For guests coming by train, the nearest station is Sandwich station, about 1.7 miles north. After a christening at a church like Church of St George, a paella lunch is an easy way to feed family and friends. The coast is within about 4 miles, so seafood paella frequently features.
Anywhere in CT14, we can bring paella party catering to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. If your venue is just outside Ham, we also cover Statenborough (1 mile north-west), Felderland (1 mile north), Worth (1 mile north-east), Marley (1 mile south-east) and Finglesham (1 mile south-east). We also cook in nearby towns such as Canterbury (11 miles west), Margate (10 miles north), Dover (8 miles south), Folkestone (13 miles south-west), Ramsgate (7 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (9 miles north-east).
Nearby you will also find Sandown Castle (3.1 miles east) and The Precinct Toy Collection (2.1 miles north). Not far away are Monk's Wall nature reserve.
- Schools near Ham include Sandwich Technology School (1.3 miles north)
- Pubs nearby include The Blue Pigeons pub (1 mile north-east)
Why live cooking beats a buffet
A hog roast is great for meat lovers, but harder for vegetarians and vegans. Paella covers everyone with separate pans. There is no one-size-fits-all price for live paella. A simple paella lunch costs less than a wedding with canapés, three paellas and waiting staff. We itemise everything in your quote.
What you get with us
- Options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal guests, each in its own pan
- Sangria, plus bar staff for your own drinks
- Real theatre, not just catering
- Fast service from the pan
FAQs for Ham
What about events near the coast?
Yes, as long as we can shelter from the wind. Sea breezes cool the pan, so a windbreak, building or gazebo helps.
Could we have live paella in Ham Fen?
Only if the landowner, generally the council, allows it. Ask them first, and we will send any information they need.
Do you cater in Ham?
Yes. We cater across London and the South East, including Ham. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
Do you offer halal options?
We can. Tell us how many guests need halal food, and we’ll cook a separate pan.
Is the paella gluten-free?
A gluten-free pan is no problem. Let us know about coeliac guests in advance so we take the right care.
How early should we book?
Early is best, but ask even if it’s soon. Send your date and we will check.
What about pudding?
We can add a dessert. Let us know if you’d like one when you ask for a quote.
How long does the paella take?
We get there in good time to set up. Once the rice goes in, it takes about 20 minutes, and we time it to your schedule.
Step by step
We cook over gas burners in wide, shallow pans. We need a level, ventilated spot, which we agree with you beforehand. Sunset in Ham is about 8:45pm in late May and 9:15pm in late June. If the party runs past dark, we’ll need light where we cook and serve.
- Tell us when and where, and how many.
- We suggest paellas and extras and send a quote.
- We arrive before your guests and set up.
- Guests watch the paella cook.
- We serve, then clear our area.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us your final numbers and diets
- Confirm the venue is happy with live cooking
- Ensure we can park close by to unload
Ask for a quote
Every quote is put together for your event. Tell us your date and guest numbers, and we’ll check availability at the same time.
Planning help
Prices and what affects them
The same guest numbers can mean different prices, because of:
- Chicken, vegetable or premium seafood
- Extra courses such as canapés, tapas and dessert
- Travel, parking and access
- Whether you need crockery
Live paella frequently compares well with a sit-down meal, as there is no kitchen to hire and fewer staff to pay. We’ll send you a quote.
What to tell us
A few details help us give you an accurate quote. Here’s what to include:
- A photo of the cooking space, if it is a garden or field
- The courses you’d like
- The date and rough timings
- Where the event is
Getting a quote is simple: tell us the date, place, numbers and any dietary needs. We will send a clear, itemised quote.
- 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